February 1998 Issue

Scriptural Unity!

by Mark J. Ward

What is scriptural unity? For this question to be answered properly, we must go to God’s Word to find the answer. Many people today have the idea that as long as you "believe in Jesus as Christ" you are "united" scripturally in God’s sight in "Christianity". Is this true? Can we be pleasing to our Wonderful God in heaven while serving Him in various ways, with various practices and conflicting doctrines? Let’s study together some of the Bible passages that touch on this important subject. What saith the Scripture?

Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with [their] lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.

John 4:20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 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. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 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. 24 God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth. 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. 26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am [he].

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. {sanctified...: or, truly sanctified} 20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

I Corinthians 1:10 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.

Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all.

Colosians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

2 John 9 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into [your] house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

The Bible clearly teaches (notice the passages above) that it is wrong to worship God in multiple ways, teaching numerous doctrines and engaging in conflicting practices! This is called "vain worship" and the "doctrine of men"! This is "unscriptural" worship unto God. The type of "unity" God wants is unity in faith, teaching and practice based on His Word. There is but ONE FAITH (singular…See the Ephesians 4 reference above) and that excludes multiple "faiths" (plural) from being acceptable to God Almighty!

For something to be "scriptural" it must be lawful in the "law age" in which a person lives. In Adam and Eve’s day, for example, God gave laws to them in the Garden of Eden that do not apply to us today. Similarly, during the law of Moses, the Israelites were under obligation to keep "that" law. If a person engaged in any religious activity, it had to be authorized by the law that was in effect at that time. Otherwise, it would be considered a "transgression" of that law and thus "sin". See I John 3:4. But, any activity that is authorized by God, would be scriptural activity for the subjects of that law age (Col. 3:17).

Today, we are under the law of Christ. It is called "the doctrine of Christ" in 2 John 9. It is called "the gospel of Christ" in Romans 1:16. We are not under the "old law" but rather we are "under grace" (Please read and study Romans 6:14-17). The "grace" mentioned is the "doctrine of Christ" as opposed to the "law of Moses". Also, notice how Titus 2:11-15 instructs that this "grace" TEACHES US how we are to live "soberly, righteously and godly" in this present world! Many people think there is no religious "law" to follow today and have the false assumption that they are at "liberty" to pick and choose how to please God! I am always amazed at the departures from the law of Christ and how people THINK they can worship God "any ole’ way they please" and still be acceptable before Him! You cannot harmonize this "concept" with the teachings of the Bible! Galatians 1:6-9 teaches that we are not to obey any "other gospel" than the ONE gospel, the gospel of Christ, the ONE faith, the doctrine of Christ (Rom. 1:16; Eph. 4:4; 2 John 9).

The concept of modern day denominationalism is opposed to the Bible teaching on scriptural unity. Don’t be deceived into thinking its "ok" to have differing religious faiths and worship God in differing denominations! The Lord’s church is NOT a denomination! Denominations are sinful! Look to the passage in I Corinthains 1:10 noted above. This is scriptural unity! Are we striving for the Biblical unity God demands? Beware of false teachers that teach you can "attend the church of YOUR choice and worship God however YOU please" and still be right! BE NOT DECEIVED!!! Isaiah 55:8,9 and Jeremiah 10:23 speak to the truth of man’s inability to determine ON HIS OWN what God wants ! Brethren and friends, think on these things! --mjw

Email the Editor at markjward@yahoo.com