1) The True Nature of Christian Unity: Union in Christ through faith in the Truth

Scripture has much to say about Christian unity. At the most fundamental level - all true believers are united in Christ by a spiritual union with Him as a result of the work of the Spirit in our hearts through faith in the Truth of the Gospel. The Scriptures command us - NOT to create unity (which is there and real already) - but to preserve this unity through acts of love in the context of local churches. (John 17:22-23; Romans 12:4-5; Ephesians 4:3-6,13; Colossians 3:13-15; etc.) Because Christian unity comes through faith - it involves a unity in Truth. This is why the Scripture constantly urges us to preserve our unity by upholding the knowledge of the truth - in both doctrine and deed (eg: John 8:31-32). Growth in knowledge and understanding of the Gospel is seen as a key for expressing our unity. Indeed, love is even defined in terms of obedience to the Truth/Word (John 14:15,21,23-24; 1 John 2:3-6). The wider our agreement in the Truth, the stronger our basis for visible unity and the better for our spiritual growth. This is why we are urged to seek the ideal of "one mind" despite remaining differences (1 Corinthians 1:10; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Ephesians 4:13).


2) True Division: Preservation of Christian unity by rejection of error in doctrine or deed

If we are united through the truth of the Gospel applied to our hearts by the Spirit - it follows that division stems from error or heresy - a denial of truth in teaching or practice. This is indeed the clear teaching of Scripture. We are warned to test everything in order that our unity be preserved (Romans 16:17-18; Titus 1:9-11; 1 John 4:1). On minor matters on which the Scriptures do not directly speak, there is room for difference within our fundamental unity. (1 Corinthians 11:19; Romans 14) However - all teaching is to be subject to the test of the Word. Where it falls short, people are to be lovingly corrected through the discipline of the church. Where people deny their faith by heresy or immorality, the Scripture insists that we separate from them, NOT because we are causing division - but in order to preserve the spiritual unity we have that they now deny. It is always error that divides - truth unites. This is why Evangelicals cannot 'unite' with Roman Catholicism, for the latter still denies the central issues of the Biblical gospel and expounds a unity alien to the Gospel. This is also why the "Word of Faith" movement, with its denials of Biblical atonement must also be rejected.


3) False unity: An outward unity at the expense of Truth

Having briefly surveyed the Scriptural notion of unity and division, it becomes apparent that much of the notions concerning unity in the church today need to be seriously questioned. There are two common false notions:

Organizational Unity
Firstly, there is the ecumenical notion that 'unity' is to be found by having all 'Christians' under one organizational structure. Historically, this has been the position of the Roman Catholic Church which has sought to have all 'Christians' 'united' within its structure under the authority of the Pope. This is also the position of many cults who deny salvation to those outside their group. Sadly - there are many Charismatics and Evangelicals who seem to be suggesting a similar thing by arguing that there can only be 'one church in any city'; or for everyone to be 'under Apostolic authority' - some even arguing that until such external unity is realised there will be no revival (such as in Acts 2).

The problem with this view is that it fails to realise that unity is fundamentally Spiritual as a result of conversion. Any organization that comes about as a result of this Spiritual unity is at best an expression of it (eg: Acts 2:41-42). At worst - mere organizational unity can eventually encompass a mass of people who are but nominally Christian - who have no real unity in Christ at all - and bringing his Name into disrepute.

Unity as Unquestioning Tolerance
A second common view errs in thinking that 'unity' is expressed through 'being tolerant' by not disagreeing with anyone. On this view - anyone who seeks to challenge or test someone else (at least publicly) is breaking the unity of the Body of Christ.

This is a sad and fragile unity indeed! It is completely alien to Scriptural unity - as the Apostles were willing to publicly rebuke and correct individuals and churches - and urged the churches to do likewise, in light of the Word (eg: 1 Corinthians 5; Titus 1:9-11; 2 Peter 2). Scriptural unity is not a superficial tolerance but a deep spiritual bond based on truth and committed to upholding that truth. This means that at times a Christian or group may have to be lovingly challenged if they are denying (in doctrine or deed) the unity they profess to have with us (like in the warnings in the letters to the churches in Revelation 2-3 cf 1 John 2:19).


4) False Division: Embracing error and rejecting Truth

If true division is to separate from error for the sake of the truth, then false division is to embrace and promote error at the expense of truth and thereby divide the body of Christ. It is false teaching and practice that divides churches. False teaching ultimately arises from reading Scripture in light of extra biblical traditions, experience or reason. This is why the scriptures urge us to test these things (see "True Division" above). The severest warnings of scripture are directed at those who so divide Christ's body (Matthew 18:6; Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:25-31; 2 Peter 2).

Other forms of division which are forbidden are those over minor issues stemming from personal preference in areas of freedom, ethnic differences, personality of leaders, etc rather than Scriptural criteria. Taking such things and making them into laws or factions is legalism and to be avoided. Rather in such cases we are to express our unity in love by putting the interest of others and the church first over our own liberty (Romans 14; 1 Corinthians 1:10-17).


Conclusion: Error divides but Truth unites - who are you to cause division?!

So often those who cry the loudest "unity! unity!" and accuse others of "dividing the Body" by daring to question their teaching or practice are the very ones who are dividing Christ by the introduction of new and unbiblical teachings and practices. We have a responsibility to preserve our unity by testing all things (including ourselves) according to His Word. We are called to express our unity through obedience to the Truth, especially the central and saving truths of the Gospel by which we are saved. It goes without saying that in carrying out such a task we are to do it with a humble attitude of loving concern for the cause of Christ and His people.

• Quotes on Unity - Biblical Discernment Ministries
• When Love Divorces Doctrine and Unity Rejects Truth - Biblical Discernment Ministries
• Unity: the true and the false - Dan Corner

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Page last updated:
Friday, 19 January 2007