T HE N EW T ESTAMENT C HURCH T HE I MPORTANCE OF U NITY

I NTRODUCTION Important theme of Biblical unity. Christ demanded it. Basis upon all to be accomplished in God’s plan and platform – UNITY. Division in the religious world, in the congregation, is condemned and contrary to the Lord’s will. Destructive to the church and the souls of men.

C HRIST P RAYED FOR U NITY The scope of prayer : All believers are included in the scope “ 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}

C HRIST P RAYED FOR U NITY Its object : All be ONE… “ 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}

C HRIST P RAYED FOR U NITY Its ultimate effect : He was sent by the Father “ 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}

C HRIST P RAYED FOR U NITY Implication : That religious division and denominationalism produces infidelity; Unity among believers - effective weapon against infidelity and atheism. “ 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}

C HRIST P RAYED FOR U NITY Application : Don’t thank God for the “many” churches; then His prayer went unanswered! Promoting UNITY refusing division—that is God’s will. “ 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}

U NITY D EMANDED AT C ORINTH BY P AUL The condition : Contentions and divisions were reported. Picture in the world today. “For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ.” {1 Corinthians 1:11,12}

U NITY D EMANDED AT C ORINTH BY P AUL The demand : No divisions—period! “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 Corinthians 1:10}

U NITY D EMANDED AT C ORINTH BY P AUL The Lord recognizes no cause for division as just—except truth : Peace must not be brought at the expense of truth sacrificed or compromised. “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law'; and 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household.” {Matthew 10:34-36}

U NITY D EMANDED AT C ORINTH BY P AUL The Lord recognizes no cause for division as just—except truth : Peace must not be brought at the expense of truth sacrificed or compromised. “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” {Matthew 10:37-39}

U NITY D EMANDED AT C ORINTH BY P AUL The authority : Through the name of Christ. “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 Corinthians 1:10}

U NITY D EMANDED AT C ORINTH BY P AUL The method : God’s Word only basis of unity. “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 Corinthians 1:10}

U NITY D EMANDED AT C ORINTH BY P AUL The fruit : True unity! “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 Corinthians 1:10}

A RGUMENTS A GAINST S ECTS AND D IVISIONS Division is carnal “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?” {1 Corinthians 3:1-3}

A RGUMENTS A GAINST S ECTS AND D IVISIONS Division destroys the temple “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” {1 Corinthians 3:16,17}

A RGUMENTS A GAINST S ECTS AND D IVISIONS Christ is NOT divided. “I and My Father are one.” {John 1:10} “Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” {Ephesians 4:13}

A RGUMENTS A GAINST S ECTS AND D IVISIONS Wearing other names while attempting to serve Christ dishonors Him! “Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ. Is Christ divided ? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” {1 Corinthians 1:12,13}

C ONCLUSION From these two passages we can conclude: (John 17:20,21; 1 Corinthians 1:10) – Those who foster and promote denominationalism and religious division prevent fulfillment of the Lord’s prayer – In their work they dishonor God.