As members of the body of Christ we have been given a great responsibility. We have been given the task of carrying on the work that Jesus began here on earth. Eph 4:11-13 “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
But what does it mean to “come in the unity of faith”? In order to understand that we first must understand what unity means. “Unity Thayer Greek Definitions describe unity (henote¯s) as 1) unity 2) unanimity, agreement Unity; U'NITY, n. [L.unitas.] As describe by the Webster 1828 Dictionary is, “1) The state of being one; oneness. Unity may consist of a simple substance or existing being, as the soul; but usually it consists in a close junction of particles or parts, constituting a body detached from other bodies. Unity is a thing undivided itself, but separate from ever other thing 2) Concord; conjunction; as a unity of proofs. 3) Agreement; uniformity; as unity of doctrine; unity of worship in a church.4) In Christian theology, oneness of sentiment, affection or behavior:”
Unity of Faith means to be in agreement about your faith. It means that we all agree on aspects of faith; to be united in seeking common goals regarding matters of faith. God moves when there is agreement. When we speak, act, and move in one accord God moves. He is hindered when there is strife and discontent. Act 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. Signs and miracles are easily accomplished when we act in one accord. God is moved by faith and agreement. Act 5:12 “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch).”
What does it mean to be in one accord? According to Thayer Greek Definitions: Accord (homothumadon) is to be “1) with one mind, with one accord, with one passion.” It means to act with one common goal, with unity of purpose, “one passion”, to all be focused on the same thing. To be in one accord is what is said in the following scripture; Phi 2:1-5 “ If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”
God moves when we are in accord. Act 2:1 “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. Act 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Act 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; Act 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. Act 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.”
What is the first step toward the body of Christ walking in unity of faith? What did Jesus do? Jesus gives us an example of how to respond in a situation of doctrinal beliefs when He encountered the Samaritan woman at the well. When speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well and there were many questions brought up regarding a long term disputes regarding worship between the two peoples. Now the Samaritans were offshoots of the Israelites. They claim Jacob as their father and the well where they were speaking was given to Joseph though it appears that they had gotten off track in their ideology, sounds familiar huh.
They were family, just as we are the body of Christ. We see that even among the Israelites there were disputes about doctrine. Yet, how did Jesus respond? He did not criticize her or demean her beliefs. He did not call her names for having beliefs that did not agree with His. No, Jesus used the differences to get His message across to her.
Joh 4:3-9 “He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee. And he must needs go through Samaria. Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.” Jesus never disputed this point with the woman. It was true. The Jews and Samaritans had no dealings with each other.
Joh. 4:10-12 “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?” Note the first thing the woman did. She attacked His character, sort of a “who do you think you are trying to preach to me” attitude. She emphasized His lack “you have nothing to draw with”, sort of sounds like the, you can’t do teach that ring to it. But, what was Jesus response?
Jesus response was to show her what He was able to offer her. Joh 4:13-15 “Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.” At this point the woman was still thinking in the natural. Her desire for the gift that Jesus had to offer was not for spiritual reasons, but that she “neither come hither to draw,” she wanted the gift to make her life easier.
Jesus now moves away from doctrinal differences and brings it to a personal level. Joh 4:16-19 “Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly. The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.” And now she is convinced.
The Jews and Samaritans disputed over the true place of worship. Joh 4:20 “Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.” Jesus used this statement to show her the true meaning of worship. Joh 4:21 “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Joh 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” Wesley’s Explanatory notes: Joh 4:22 “Ye worship ye know not what - Ye Samaritans are ignorant, not only of the place, but of the very object of worship. Indeed, they feared the Lord after a fashion; but at the same time served their own gods, 2Ki_17:33. Salvation is from the Jews - So spake all the prophets that the Saviour should arise out of the Jewish nation: and that from thence the knowledge of him should spread to all nations under heaven.”
Both the Jews and the Samaritans believed in the coming of Messiah. Joh 4:25 “The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Joh 4:26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.” He found a point of agreement, a place where both parties agreed. Jesus used this place of agreement to show who He was and why He had come.
Jesus never disputed with this woman. He never insulted, ridiculed or made light of her beliefs even though He could have. Jesus listened to her and responded with the truth. He used her beliefs as a point of agreement or a starting place in ministering to her. And because of His patience and lack of criticism her whole town was saved, or…all her people. Joh 4:28-30 “The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? Then they went out of the city, and came unto him. Joh 4:39-42 “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. And many more believed because of his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.”
Eph 4:1 “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, Eph 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Eph 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Wesley’s Explanatory Notes Eph 4:3 - Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit - That mutual union and harmony, which is a fruit of the Spirit. The bond of peace is love. Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, Eph 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Eph 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Eph 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. Eph 4:9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? Eph 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”
Eph 4:13 “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” Wesley’s Explanatory Notes Eph 4:13 - Till we all - And every one of us. Come to the unity of the faith, and knowledge of the Son of God - To both an exact agreement in the Christian doctrine, and an experimental knowledge of Christ as the Son of God. To a perfect man - To a state of spiritual manhood both in understanding and strength: To the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ - To that maturity of age and spiritual stature wherein we shall be filled with Christ, so that he will be all in all.Eph 4:14-16 “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”
The present day body of Christ has wasted precious time and resources in disputes over who is right and who is wrong in their doctrine. What we fail to see is that though we are one body, we are different members in the body, each serving a purpose. Rom 12:4-8 “For as we have many members in one body and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
So, if we take these scriptures to heart as we ought to how can we then turn around and condemn or brother for not doing exactly what we do? If we look closely enough we can see that each denomination has something to contribute to the body of Christ. The Catholics, though they believe salvation is of works and not a gift, they get work done. They get things accomplished because they have a works mentality. The Baptists, are major soul winners because they get out their and witness. Pentecostals, kick butt in the spirit realm. Word of Faith, bring in the money and then spread it around, because they believe its seed and they will reap a harvest. So, each of the major denominations have Godly qualities.
If you look hard enough, you can even see where the false religions play a part. They do this by keeping the rest of us on our toes. By showing us how to avoid lording our authority over the flock, by helping to keep us seeking sound doctrine and by putting us in a position o be accountable for what we teach. Note: I am not advocating any cult or false religion this is merely an example of how God can even use things outside of His plan to teach us.
The Word of God is very clear that different members of the body have different functions, but that all come from one spirit. 1Co 12:4-11 “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”
It also points out that it is not my responsibility to do your job, or I am not capable of doing what God has given to you, and there is no job that is unimportant. 1Co 12:12-25 “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.”
The goal of the body of Christ is unity. We are to come to the “unity of faith” according to scripture. We have been given gifts to help us accomplish this none of which include backbiting, criticism, or attacking differences of doctrine. So, where is our point of agreement? Where do we begin the process of uniting as one body? Why not start with the basics?
Jesus was born of a virgin. Isa 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
We must be born again of spirit. Joh 3:3 “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Jesus rose from the dead. He is alive and seated in Heaven. Luk 24:5-7 “And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
That Jesus is the way to salvation. Joh 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Joh 3:15-16 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
We must be baptized as an act of obedience and we are to go and baptize and teach others. Mat 28:19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
I can go on to speak of the fact that Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are one; about the baptism of the Holy Spirit and so on. These are basic principles that most denominations agree upon. Now this is a good starting point. If we continue to focus on how and where we agree we can accomplish a lot.
How about abortion or homosexuality? Most denominations agree that these are sin and that they are wrong. What if every Christian regardless of denomination or doctrine began to pray down the spirit of lust that is the ruling factor behind these sins? What if we all agreed not criticize those who participate in these things but rather just prayed in agreement knowing and believing that “Mat 18:19 “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.” What kind of power would be released if the entire body came against these things in one accord?
Psa 133:-3 “(A Song of degrees of David.) Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.”