Seeking Biblical Unity I. Introduction A. John 17:20-24 1. Jesus' "high priestly prayer" 2. A plea and petition for unity for all those who would believe in Him B. A most noble goal and aspiration-- being one in Jesus Christ! C. What has gone so wrong? What would it take to reach Biblical unity? D. Let us consider these matters and the Scriptures II. Departure From Unity A. Let us begin by considering what has gone so wrongly B. Realization: unity has never been easy, never perfectly realized 1. Paul needed to exhort the Corinthians to unity (1 Corinthians 1:10) 2. Galatians were departing the true faith, needed rebuke (Galatians 1:6-9) 3. False doctrines from "Judaizers" and Gnostics about (cf. 2 Corinthians 10, 1 John 2, etc.) C. Nevertheless, pattern of apostasy over the first few centuries CE 1. Power consolidated first into the hands of one man over a congregation, then one man over a region, then a few strong bishoprics 2. Arguments made against heretics become tenets of faith 3. Belief system heavily impacted by Greek philosophy, Roman governmental system D. During period of 5th-9th centuries CE, consolidation of "tradition" 1. Church obtains worldly power, begins experiencing challenges of Dark Ages 2. Reaction: consolidation, hallowing of what came before-- men like Augustine, Ambrose highly exalted 3. Now there is an expectation that all things to be understood within the tradition of what had come before E. Tradition supreme until 18th century 1. Everything understood in terms of what had been understood in the past 2. If the men of the past interpreted Bible correctly, there would have been no difficulty 3. Yet ecclesiastical adaptations, infant baptism, original sin, other matters firmly believed as part of this tradition 4. A form of "unity," to be sure, but not Biblical unity a. More akin to what the lawyers and Pharisees were doing, condemned by Jesus (Matthew 15:3-9) b. Based not in Christ, but in tradition and maintained by the sword, not the bond of faith 5. The Reformation led to some changes, but not in veneration of tradition a. Luther, Calvin liked to see themselves as the true spiritual descendants of Augustine, the early tradition b. That is why major doctrinal matters were, on the whole, not upset 6. While some groups were willing to challenge traditions (Wycliffe, Hus, the Anabaptists, etc.), on the whole, if it came from the late ancient/early medieval theologians, it was held as true, and the way to look at everything 7. This would only begin to change in the 18th and 19th centuries, when people began to break out of the medieval mindset and were willing to question and challenge tradition! F. Denominationalism based in factionalism, party lines 1. There is more to disunity than just adherence to tradition or lack thereof 2. Many divisions based in culture, political matters (Roman Catholic/Eastern Orthodox; Roman Catholic/Church of England) 3. Many divisions began as reactions to excesses in other groups a. Lutheranism, Calvinism as reactions to medieval Catholicism b. Methodism, Pietism as reactions to spiritual decay in Church of England, Lutheran churches 4. Other divisions involve church governance (Presbyterians/Congregationalists), various permutations of doctrines (Baptist, Pentecostal divisions) 5. Sociological reasons also issues in divisions-- matters of race or class G. Today, denominationalism itself on the decline, but "movements" more prevalent 1. Recognition has grown that denominationalism is shameful and ought not be 2. But this is not to say that divisions no longer exist-- they simply do not exist along denominational lines 3. House church movement, megachurch movement, emergent movement, and so on and so forth H. So we have now come to the modern day-- all kinds of divisions, all kinds of allegiances I. How can we obtain Biblical unity? III. Biblical Unity - The Restoration Plea A. It has become evident that the current state of division is shameful 1. It is understood by people in all kinds of denominations that God wants unity and not the current state of affairs 2. They know that there should be unity and not all of this division B. What has been their solution? Ecumenism-- "unity in diversity" C. Ecumenism claims to maintain "unity" in the essentials, but allow for divergences in other doctrines D. This sounds good-- but is this Biblical unity? E. Consider the basis of unity in the New Testament 1. John 17:20-24: one as God and Christ are one 2. 1 Corinthians 1:10: having the same mind and judgment 3. Philippians 2:1-4: seeking the best interest of others, considering others greater than themselves F. Furthermore, the New Testament cannot tolerate compromise on the Gospel 1. Galatians 1:6-9 2. Consider the matter: Gentile Christians submitting to circumcision, the Law 3. Such was anathema! G. In the abstract, the idea of "unity" on essentials and "diversity" on matters of no concern is precisely right! H. But how does one define the "essentials" and the matters of "liberty"? I. The Bible cannot tolerate a definition of "the essentials" that neglects the means of salvation, the nature of the plan of salvation, and the fate of the Kingdom! J. Modern ecumenism is really a sham-- a pretense of unity without its substance! K. It is good for us to make the same plea that began with the Restorationists in the 19th century! L. Let us seek for true Biblical unity-- unity not in pretense but in truth! M. The basis of Biblical unity 1. Focused on Jesus the head, no human authority (Ephesians 5:22-32) 2. Not based in names of parties or factions, rooted only in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:10-13, Colossians 2:1-10) 3. God's Word the authority, not man (John 1:1-3, 14, 18; 2 Timothy 3:16-17) 4. The spirit cannot be found in denominations-- it can only exist when people come out from denominationalism and the party spirit behind denominations to practice New Testament Christianity 5. Biblical unity can only exist when believers look to God for strength and truth and work with one another in that mutual bond N. This is the appeal that ought to sound out throughout the land! IV. Beyond Doctrinal Unity A. As Jesus and Paul have said, it is good for believers to be of the same mind (cf. John 17:20-24, 1 Corinthians 1:10) B. But we should not be lulled into thinking that doctrinal unity is all that is important C. The warning: Revelation 2:1-11! 1. The Ephesians had unity in doctrine 2. Yet they had left their "first love" D. Doctrinal unity is well and good, but God expects believers to be one in so many other ways 1. John 17:20-24: the Father and Son are one in more than just beliefs 2. Philippians 2:1-4: unity is something that must be worked for, practiced among fellow Christians 3. 1 Corinthians 12:12-28: church as body: it is great when every part of the body agrees on what is true, but that does not guarantee that they will work together as they should! E. Therefore, unity should certainly involve agreement on what God has established is true, but we must go on and be one in our efforts and in our joint participation in Christ! F. This requires all the characteristics of Philippians 2:1-4: humility, compassion, willingness to seek the best interests of others rather than self, not acting according to rivalry or conceit G. Difficult yet essential-- doctrinal unity means little if there is discord and strife otherwise! V. Conclusion A. We have considered the state of Christianity today B. Marked by divisions into denominations and unity in name-- and pretense-- only C. God calls us to true unity 1. One with God in Christ 2. Having the same mind and judgment 3. Accepting the true Gospel 4. Being part of no faction of man, but aligned only with Christ D. Unity must exist in doctrine, but must go beyond doctrine and also involve unity in work with fellow Christians! E. Let us work toward true Biblical unity, shun human imitations, and fulfill God's will! F. Invitation/songbook