Christian Unity

[RightBelieving]

When will we ever have Christian unity? When I say unity I mean doctrinal unity. I am an Eastern Orthodox and am sick of having to argue with people about how "my beliefs are right and yours are wrong", why can't we just agree and be in the unity of the Faith?

Where is the one Faith? Why do we not agree with one another? St Paul says, "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." 1Corinthians 1:10

"The same mind and in the same judgment". This is not the will of God that professing Christians are having disagreements and contentions with one another.

How can we be of the same mind? My only answer would be to be in the One Apostolic Church, because this is what I was taught.

God bless you all.

 

[Bloodwashed]

I do feel your pain Brother! Doctrinally, I am very opinionated. I believe the Unity must be in The Spirit. I am all for you! I am all for my Catholic brethern. I'm all for my protestant brethern, & they come in many shades. We all have Jesus Christ. He is our common denomanator. God Bless You!--Mark--

 

[Crossfire]

I think the key to Christian unity, especially here on this website, would be to define salvation in simple yet scriptural terms in a manner in which almost all could agree then enforce it as the rule (ie. a statement of faith).

Unfortunately, there are many here who attempt to add their own stipulations to salvation. Basically, if you do not believe as they do, you are labeled a heretic and are harassed anytime you express your point of view. As long as this is going on, you are going to have division.

 

[feedm3]

I think you did a great job defining unity with I Cor 1:10. But that is why there is division. We cannot all agree to disagree and have unity, because that would exclude "speaking the same thing and being in the same mind and same judgment."

If we all speak the same thing, then we must all agree on the terms of salvation.
If we all are in the same judgment then we must all agree on what is truth and what is error.

I believe that we should never strive for peace at the expense of the truth.

Will we ever all agree, I don't think so, but Jesus made it clear that was not the reason for His coming -

Mat_10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

 

[Romansonetwentytwo]

2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

The Bible should be our authority, this is God's word to us, all of us. As long as this is not some Christians final authority and as long as some are putting their own interpretation on it then there will not be unity. So many denominations and different Christian beliefs that come from outside the bible. Some have conformed to today's world despite what Romans 12:2 says. ( And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.) These different views and beliefs are the division and actually lead people away instead of to Christ. We do need Christian unity, I just don't believe we will see it anytime soon.

God Bless

 

[Steve4U]

I see unity as a behavioural thing, a practice. Where there is great zeal for an aspect of the total revealed truth, there is still no cause for disrespect and disunity. We should recognise that no matter how divinely appointed we are on a particular truth, God alone knows everything and we should have grace towards others, allowing any amount of time to come to some realisation.

This may be longer than a lifetime, and a believer might decide to congregate with others of like mind and form another denomination. To me it's temporary and not important, even after 500 years. I have enjoyed something in all the denominations I have come in contact with.

The unity we are called to in complying with Christ's desire in John 17:21 should always be superior. We should continue to defer in behaviour towards one another and anyone of any denomination, and, after any discussion, be willing to pray together.

There is mighty power in unity and we forego the mission of Christ when it is not foremost.

We don't know everything and Christ desires it.

.

 

[gb9]

not to be disrespectful,but one thing that really hampers unity is demoninatial beleifs.they make up their own rules and expect you to keep them.

 

[zone]

http://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/33469-speaking-dragon-revelation-13-11-a.html

~

Warren's P.E.A.C.E. Plan and UN Goals - Part 2
Equipping Leaders to 'Lead like Jesus'?
by Berit Kjos, September 2005
For background information, see
Part 1 - The Emerging Global Church
Part 3: Whom do you serve?
Spirit-Led or Purpose-Driven? and Small Groups and the Dialectic Process ​

"American Christianity is going through a second reformation," wrote Rick Warren back in February 2003. Then he repeated his transformational theme, which sounds a lot like the "social gospel" with its presumptuous disregard for God's unchanging Word:

"The first Reformation clarified what we believe. This reformation is all about how we act and operate in the world. It involves the key components of purpose, decentralization, lay mobilization, use of technology, and continuous learning. Churches that change are thriving and growing more effective. Churches that refuse to change will miss the reformation, and are dying."[3]​

http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/05/peace-un-2.htm​

​

 

[Scotth1960]

http://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/33469-speaking-dragon-revelation-13-11-a.html

~

Warren's P.E.A.C.E. Plan and UN Goals - Part 2
Equipping Leaders to 'Lead like Jesus'?
by Berit Kjos, September 2005

​

Dear Zone: I believe Rick Warren's book "The Purpose Driven Life" is false, stupid book aimed one goal: money! Making money for Warren! In Erie Scott

 

[Crossfire]

http://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/33469-speaking-dragon-revelation-13-11-a.html

~

Warren's P.E.A.C.E. Plan and UN Goals - Part 2
Equipping Leaders to 'Lead like Jesus'?
by Berit Kjos, September 2005

​

Dear Zone: I believe Rick Warren's book "The Purpose Driven Life" is false, stupid book aimed one goal: money! Making money for Warren! In Erie Scott

If you think "The Purpose Driven Life" is bad, you should check out his "Celebrate Recovery" 12 step program that basically teaches people that you are saved in your sin.

 

[RedTent]

Back to unity: I believe the key to unity is in obeying that we are not to judge. All of us have different levels to understanding, with sharing scripture the key.

I feel I follow, not Christ alone but a triune God, that all scripture, OT and NT, is my guide including the Law of Moses for instruction. I feel very isolated from main stream Protestants. Yet I truly believe every word of NT scripture, I go to a main stream Protestant Church.

I would like to feel that I am united with other Christians who understand differently. My Sunday School class allows me to keep kosher as long as I don’t require they do the same, and they check me with love to be sure I am not doing it for the wrong reasons according to what scripture says about it. We are different, but united.

 

[Crossfire]

Back to unity: I believe the key to unity is in obeying that we are not to judge. All of us have different levels to understanding, with sharing scripture the key.

I feel I follow, not Christ alone but a triune God, that all scripture, OT and NT, is my guide including the Law of Moses for instruction. I feel very isolated from main stream Protestants. Yet I truly believe every word of NT scripture, I go to a main stream Protestant Church.

I would like to feel that I am united with other Christians who understand differently. My Sunday School class allows me to keep kosher as long as I don’t require they do the same, and they check me with love to be sure I am not doing it for the wrong reasons according to what scripture says about it. We are different, but united.

So basically your beliefs equal that of a Messianic Jew. I don't see a problem with that at all just as long you understand that salvation comes from Christ and not the works of the law.

I personally believe that faith in Christ includes obeying His word, not because obedience can save you but rather obedience is the fruit of faith.

 

[RedTent]

Crossfire: Is this what Messianic Jews believe? It is so good to have my views endorsed. Usually, people say you aren't allowed to study the law for what it teaches you, because we aren't saved by the law. I could never understand how one affects the other, and no one could understand how I could think they didn't. Just for one thing. My minister says "just keep your mind on Christ". If I mention that also God the Father and God the Holy Ghost he just looks at me blankly and changes the subject.

THANKS!

 

[Crossfire]

Crossfire: Is this what Messianic Jews believe? It is so good to have my views endorsed. Usually, people say you aren't allowed to study the law for what it teaches you, because we aren't saved by the law. I could never understand how one affects the other, and no one could understand how I could think they didn't. Just for one thing. My minister says "just keep your mind on Christ". If I mention that also God the Father and God the Holy Ghost he just looks at me blankly and changes the subject.

THANKS!

There were several messianic Jews on staff at the bible college I attended. While they believed and relied on Christ completely for their salvation, many still observed Jewish laws and traditions not because they felt they had to but because they wanted to in order to minister to orthodox Jews (friends, family, etc.).

I see it no differently than Paul's final return to Jerusalem where cleansed himself and worshipped at the temple with his fellow Jews despite being a Christian.

I personally take no issue with someone who observes the law just as long as they realize that the law doesn't save. The law in and of itself is actually not a bad thing. There's absolutely nothing wrong with clean living.

 

[Katy-follower]

We must not compromise the truth, for the sake of unity and peace. To do this would go against God's word. For God himself said that there would be false prophets that would come out from among us....


2 Peter 2:1: "But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction"

Matthew 7:15: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves"

Matthew 24:11-13: "Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved"

2 Timothy 4:3-4: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables"


God said to....

2 Timothy 4:2: "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching"

2 Timothy 3:16-17: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work"



But we are to...

Titus 2:15: "Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you"
Matthew 7:1: "Judge not, that you be not judged"

(Correcting and rebuking is not judging)


If we are aware that a church is not teaching according to God's word then we have to speak out and avoid unity with those who follow false doctrines.....

Romans 16:17-18: "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple"

Ephesians 5:11: "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them"



This is how to know......

1 John 4:1: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world"
( - so we must compare our church's teachings with the bible. The truth will be revealed!)