During the past three weeks we have analyzed and rejected Mark Henderson’s suggestions for being a “Unity-Committed Church,” which he made in a speech at ACU in February. In essence, we have explained that counting as brethren those who have never obeyed the gospel is not the way to achieve unity. It is fair, however, to ask the question, “How can unity be achieved?” As always, we need to determine, “What saith the Scriptures?”
Let’s begin with some familiar Bible passages.
“Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10).
“Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27).
The first rule of interpretation involves asking the questions, “Who is the writer?” and “To whom is the author of the letter writing?” In both of the above instances Paul has written to brethren within one congregation. Unity within the church is imperative, not optional. Furthermore, there is a purpose for unity–that we may work together “for the faith of the gospel.” If brethren become bogged down in petty squabbles, how can the work of the church advance?
Not only was internal unity crucial to congregations in the first century, it is just as necessary today. The very presence of these exhortations in the epistle shows us that even Christians are not perfect (though perfection is our goal–Heb. 6:1). We are going to offend one another (presumably unintentionally); those moments of friction should be dealt with in love, not hostility. We should not assume and assign impure motives on the part of our fellow family members. We are not each other’s enemies. Jesus taught that communication is the solution to the problem (Matt. 5:23-24 and 18:15-17).
But sometimes people approach things differently. There are variations of thinking, expression, and emphasis. Since human beings do differ in these areas, we must exercise love toward one another while certain matters are being worked out. Love is defined in part by being patient with each other (“bears all things”–1 Cor. 13:7); thinking the best of each other (“believes all things”–1 Cor. 13:7); having confidence that a solution pleasing to all will be found (“hopes all things”–1 Cor. 13:7); and that when things are not resolved in our favor, we continue anyway, putting it behind us (“endures all things”–1 Cor. 13:7). Regardless of how matters of judgment turn out, we are brethren committed to one another.
If doctrinal differences arise, we must not be suspicious of one another’s motives, but rather devote ourselves to both individual and group study of the matter. Ideally, a better understanding will result.
One of the biggest hindrances to congregational unity is pride–MY feelings were hurt beyond repair; MY opinion was disregarded; MY interpretation of the Scriptures did not prevail. Therefore, some divorce themselves from a congregation on inadequate (not to mention selfish) grounds. We ought to treat our relationship with the local church just as we do marriage–we only divorce ourselves from it for unfaithfulness (to the Lord).
Unfortunately, what we have observed over the years is that some leave sound congregations of God’s people for totally inadequate and often trivial reasons. Equally amazing are the brethren who have Scriptural grounds for divorce (the church which they attend is unfaithful to the teaching of Christ), but they remain with that unfaithful congregation. We must amuse Satan considerably.
The passages in 1 Cor. 1:10 and Phil. 1:27 are not optional; they are commandments like any other; we must commit ourselves to striving for unity. Anyone who one wants to walk worthy of his calling as a Christian must develop humility and patience; he or she must work hard to maintain unity.
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to have a walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:1-3).
Seven reasons are listed to remind us of what all we have in common (Eph. 4:4-6). Paul wants brethren to work at unity so that their work in the gospel may progress.
Unity Among Churches
What does the Bible teach about unity between various congregations in an area? There ought to be peace, harmony, love, and cooperation. In Col. 4:16 Paul tells the brethren in Colosse to exchange letters with the brethren in Laodicea. This instruction implies that they knew one another and enjoyed an amiable relationship, which is the way God designed it.
We ought to be interrelated in a positive way. Brethren in Thessalonica became examples to all believers in Macedonia and Achaia (1 Thess. 1:6-8). The zeal of the Corinthians in preparing a gift for the poor saints in Jerusalem inspired several other churches (2 Cor. 9:2-4). Unity and harmony between congregations of the Lord’s church ought to exist. And it will–if we all teach the same thing the Bible does. Paul taught the same doctrine in all the churches (1 Cor. 4:17, 7:17, and 11:16). Failure to achieve unity on this level can also hinder the Lord’s work.
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another (Gal. 5:14-15).
The New Testament recognizes, however, the existence of false teachers, who will teach things not authorized by God nor in harmony with what Paul taught the churches by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Paul said to mark such men (Rom. 16:17-18). John said not to receive them (2 John 9-11).
But what do we do when false teachers are working with neighboring congregations or are in fellowship with them? If God has forbidden us to fellowship the false teacher, and some church fellowships that individual, then we have no choice but to withhold fellowship from those brethren who have violated the Scriptures (namely Romans 16:17-18 and 2 John 9-11). They are the ones who have disrupted fellowship by departing from the word of God. They may be acting out of ignorance; therefore, we should still exercise love and patience toward them as we seek to communicate with them about the barrier to fellowship they have introduced.
Unfortunately, most of the time, such congregations know exactly what they are doing, and they have absolutely no wish to discuss the matter. Sadly, they leave God’s faithful churches no alternative but to exclude them from Christian fellowship. We are committed to unity, but Truth and faithfulness to our Lord take precedence over unity, and we cannot fellowship them while they remain in their apostasy.
The Lord’s Prayer
What about unity with all who claim to be Christians? The Bible does not specifically address this issue because our twentieth century condition did not exist in the first century. Furthermore, it would be wrong (not to mention inaccurate) to attempt to apply Biblical passages enjoining unity among brethren to those in denominations who are not brethren. Consider Jesus’ prayer for unity.
I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me (John 17:20-21).
Any effort to apply this passage to all the denominations would simply be poor exegesis. Campbell, Stone, and others may have begun with such a notion, but they were assuming that members of the various denominations were all Christians. If that assertion were true, their procedure would be valid.
If all members of denominations are Christians, then all ought to be willing to give up those creeds and doctrines that divide. Being separated into different “Christian” camps lacks any Biblical authority whatsoever, and it directly disobeys Jesus’ prayer. Furthermore, if those in denominations are Christians and members of the churches of Christ are Christians, then 1) we are just a denomination; 2) we have been wrong in separating ourselves from other “equal” churches; and 3) we ought to quit being divisive and begin treating everyone else as brothers and sisters in the kingdom. [Such was Henderson’s position.]
The problem is, however, that those in denominations are NOT Christians. [This statement is not made out of vindictiveness, cruelty, or self-righteousness; it is made solely out of respect for the truth.] Let’s look more closely at what Jesus said. “I do not pray for these alone [the apostles], but also for those who will believe in Me through their word.” Now answer honestly: “Is Jesus referring to anyone who just happens to hear about Him as a ‘believer’?”
No, these individuals for whom Jesus is praying are ones who have come to believe through the apostles’ word–the teachings now recorded in the New Testament. They are ones who have obeyed the same gospel taught by Peter on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:36-41). They are ones who have repented of sins and been baptized in the name of Christ in order to have their sins forgiven.
What denomination teaches that doctrine? Some sprinkle instead of immersing (Biblical baptism); Others make their children members of their denomination though they can neither believe nor repent. But all of them teach that one is saved before and without baptism for the remission of sins! So how can they be Christians? They are not Christians because they have never obeyed the apostles’ words. [Remember Jesus was praying for those who had obeyed the apostles’ words.]
The unity-committed church is not seeking fellowship with religious groups claiming to belong to Christ but rejecting the Bible’s teaching regarding salvation. We are not equal denominations; we are not even brethren. There can be no fellowship, much less unity. Of course, we are interested in the spiritual condition of those in denominations, just as we would be about Jews, Moslems, and atheists. But we can have no spiritual fellowship with any man-made religious group. We are members of the church of Jesus Christ, our Lord and our head–THERE IS NO EQUIVALENT!
Let us commit ourselves to the unity Jesus actually prayed for–for unity among brethren within the local congregation and between faithful churches.
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all (Eph. 4:4-6).