Universal unity among all churches?

[Stinker]

When people question why there are so many different churches with so many different beliefs of how their church is supposed to function and their different doctrines on matters not pertaining to salvation, they are really asking why can't each church be the same.

"...being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (Eph.4:3)

"....until we all attain to the unity of the faith,..." (Eph.4:13)


Eph.4:3 is stressing that they be diligent not to destroy the unity of the Spirit in the breaking of peace with each other.

Eph.4:13 is referring to the completed work of the New Testament (or faith).


All churches are to be in unity concerning the Gospel. Which is...............

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" (1Cor.15:1-4)

God did not intend for all churches to be replicas of each other in name and all matters of practice and all doctrine not essential to salvation.

[rural_preacher]

Amen.

Unity is not uniformity. Unity is love and cooperation in the midst of diversity.


--

[Gwenyfur]

Amen.

Unity is not uniformity. Unity is love and cooperation in the midst of diversity.


--
hear hear!

[Richard]

I personally believe Unity would be the ultimateness, although I'm baptist, I still believe every church should be united...the only problem is the different doctrines and beliefs

[Matthan]

There will be total and complete unity one day, in Christ's One True Church.

There would be much more unity here on earth if the Bible were our only written guide. Sure there would be some dissension over the "interpretation" of various verses, just as there would be some dissension over the importance given to some specific verses over others. But, generally speaking, all Christian thought would be directed (if not focused) on Christ. That would be a good thing....

Matthan <J><

[ZiSunka]

All the more reason that denominationalism is inherently missing the truth of the gospel. Our faith is what makes us Chrisitans, not our membership in a church or denomination or our adherence to a manmade creed or catechism.

Whenever we let anything obscure our view of Christ and our determination to live out his teachings, like denominational loyalty or adherence to a creed, we are completely missing the point of who Christ is and what he really taught. The kingdom of heaven isn't found in a church, it is found in the heart of the individual believers who have devoted themselve to the Master.

It's more important to love your neighbors and to die for your enemies than it is to love your denomination and to die for its creed.