unity

1. ““And do not beAnd do not be
conformed to this world,conformed to this world,
but be transformed bybut be transformed by
the renewing of yourthe renewing of your
mind…mind…””
Romans 12:1-2

2. Renewed View Biblical UnityRenewed View Biblical Unity
 Unity Of The Spirit:Unity Of The Spirit: Eph. 4:1-6Eph. 4:1-6
 Created By The Spirit
 Maintained By Brethren
 Takes Characteristics From
Godhead
 Formed By Truth Of Gospel

3. Uniform Teaching Of ScriptureUniform Teaching Of Scripture
1 Cor. 1:101 Cor. 1:10
Jude 3Jude 3
Jn. 17:20-21Jn. 17:20-21
2 Tim. 1:132 Tim. 1:13
2 Tim. 4:1-52 Tim. 4:1-5
1 Pt. 4:111 Pt. 4:11
1 Cor. 4:171 Cor. 4:17

4. Unity: An Impossible Dream?
 Division Is Fact TodayDivision Is Fact Today
 Among Denominations
 Among Churches of Christ
 Compare:Compare: Acts 2:42; 4:32-33Acts 2:42; 4:32-33
 Early Problems ExistedEarly Problems Existed
 Acts 5; Epistles
 Doctrinal, Immorality, Etc
 Epistles Written To Correct

5. Early Efforts In America
In Matters Of Faith:In Matters Of Faith: UnityUnity
In Matters of Opinion:In Matters of Opinion: LibertyLiberty
In All Things:In All Things: CharityCharity

6. Result Of Those Efforts
 Common Savior
 Common Faith, Plan of Salvation
 Common Worship
 Common Work
 Common View Of Scriptures
 When Divisions Arose, Appeals To
Scripture Was Final Appeal

7. A New Approach Suggested:
“Unity In Diversity”
““If unity is a matter of seeing the Bible eyeIf unity is a matter of seeing the Bible eye
to eye, then believers will never be united,to eye, then believers will never be united,
for they never have and never will see thefor they never have and never will see the
Bible alike. And if believers ever haveBible alike. And if believers ever have
been united, such as in the early centuriesbeen united, such as in the early centuries
(and other times as well) when they died(and other times as well) when they died
together for their faith…...together for their faith…...

8. ““…….it was not because of doctrinal.it was not because of doctrinal
agreement upon the Bible but because ofagreement upon the Bible but because of
their common devotion to Jesus Christ.their common devotion to Jesus Christ.””
(Leroy Garrett, Restoration Review, Dec. 1987)(Leroy Garrett, Restoration Review, Dec. 1987)
• Doctrinal Unity Not PossibleDoctrinal Unity Not Possible
• Unity Only Possible Toward JesusUnity Only Possible Toward Jesus
• A New Unity Movement Based On AA New Unity Movement Based On A
““Gospel - DoctrineGospel - Doctrine”” DistinctionDistinction
• Gospel: Facts About JesusGospel: Facts About Jesus’’ DeityDeity
• Doctrine: Accept All BeliefsDoctrine: Accept All Beliefs

9. ““Like it or not, we are brothers and sistersLike it or not, we are brothers and sisters
in Christ. That brothers differ on thein Christ. That brothers differ on the
millennium, work of the Holy Spirit,millennium, work of the Holy Spirit,
church organization, instrumental music,church organization, instrumental music,
having a glass of wine, the role of womenhaving a glass of wine, the role of women
in church leadership, and a dozen, dozenin church leadership, and a dozen, dozen
other issues does not change the fact thatother issues does not change the fact that
they are all children of God.they are all children of God.”” Rubel Shelly,Rubel Shelly, ““A Call ToA Call To
Action,Action,”” p. 5)p. 5)

10. Grace Covers Sin
““The present frontier is the frontier of aThe present frontier is the frontier of a
grace-based fellowship with all ourgrace-based fellowship with all our
brothers and sisters in Christ. A truthbrothers and sisters in Christ. A truth
began to dawn on us in the 1960began to dawn on us in the 1960’’s and 70s and 70’’ss
and increasingly through the 1980and increasingly through the 1980’’s. Thats. That
truth is that Godtruth is that God’’s grace extends not onlys grace extends not only
to our moral imperfections but also to ourto our moral imperfections but also to our
doctrinal short-comings.doctrinal short-comings.”” (Gary Pearson,(Gary Pearson, ““Image MagazineImage Magazine””
Sept/Oct, 1993 p. 32)Sept/Oct, 1993 p. 32)

11. Right About Christ --
-- Wrong About Doctrine
““What is the basis of oneWhat is the basis of one’’s hope befores hope before
God? Is it not that we sustain a rightGod? Is it not that we sustain a right
relationship with God through Christ? …relationship with God through Christ? …
In other words - if one is right aboutIn other words - if one is right about
Christ, then that one can be wrong aboutChrist, then that one can be wrong about
some doctrinal instruction without beingsome doctrinal instruction without being
lost, can he not?lost, can he not?”” Arnold Hardin,Arnold Hardin, ““The PersuaderThe Persuader””

12. ““On what basis do we establish the boundsOn what basis do we establish the bounds
of Christian unity? That is the crucialof Christian unity? That is the crucial
question that lies before us. Are individualquestion that lies before us. Are individual
fellowship and congregational unity basedfellowship and congregational unity based
on total agreement? Historical realityon total agreement? Historical reality
denies that unanimity existed in Newdenies that unanimity existed in New
Testament congregations or that it existsTestament congregations or that it exists
today. Is there, then, a scriptural basis fortoday. Is there, then, a scriptural basis for
maintaining unity when brethrenmaintaining unity when brethren
disagree?...disagree?...

13. ““……If so, what are the limits of the conceptIf so, what are the limits of the concept
of unity in diversity?of unity in diversity?”” (Ed Harrell, The Bound of Christian Unity (2),(Ed Harrell, The Bound of Christian Unity (2),
Christianity MagazineChristianity Magazine, March 1989, p. 6, March 1989, p. 6
 Doctrinal Unity Did Not Exist In NTDoctrinal Unity Did Not Exist In NT
TimesTimes
 Doctrinal Unity Does Not Exist TodayDoctrinal Unity Does Not Exist Today
 Only Unity In Diversity Is PossibleOnly Unity In Diversity Is Possible
 Provides Toleration For ErrorProvides Toleration For Error
Recall Acts 2:42; 4:32; 1 Cor 1

14. ““There should be room in the ChristianThere should be room in the Christian
fellowship for those who believe thatfellowship for those who believe that
Christ is the son of God, but who differ onChrist is the son of God, but who differ on
eschatological theories such aseschatological theories such as
premillennialism, ecclesiological matterspremillennialism, ecclesiological matters
such as congregational organization, onsuch as congregational organization, on
soteriological matters such as whethersoteriological matters such as whether
baptism isbaptism is ‘‘forfor’’ oror ‘‘becausebecause’’ remission ofremission of
sins.sins.”” Carrol Osburn,Carrol Osburn, ““The Peaceable Kingdom, 1993, pp 90-91)The Peaceable Kingdom, 1993, pp 90-91)

15. Misuse Of Romans 14
Focal Point Of Error
“It is obvious that Christians sometimes
disagree about spiritual instruction even
in matters of considerable moral and
doctrinal import. That behavior
uniformly practiced throughout the
history of Christianity is, I believe, the
issue addressed in Romans 14.”
Ed Harrell, “The Bounds of Christian Unity,” CM)

16. Toleration Of Error?
““Romans 14 tolerates contradictoryRomans 14 tolerates contradictory
teachings and practices on importantteachings and practices on important
moral and doctrinal questions.moral and doctrinal questions.””
Ed Harrell,Ed Harrell, ““The Bounds of Christian Unity,The Bounds of Christian Unity,”” CM)CM)
 Tolerate Contradictory TeachingsTolerate Contradictory Teachings
and Practicesand Practices
 Cover Differences By Romans 14Cover Differences By Romans 14

17. Why Has Romans 14 Been
Perverted?
• Teaching of Error on MDR
• Attempt to Justify Continued Fellowship
with Those Teaching Error vs. 2 Jn. 9-11
• James 2:1-9 - Sin of Partiality
• Issue Has Spread to Other Areas
 Social Drinking
 Immodesty, Gambling, Doctrines

18. Is Unity Possible In Our
Time?
• Remember Teaching Of Bible
• Apply To Every Bible Subject
• Use Patience, Longsuffering
 1 Thess. 5:14
 Jude 20-23
 Eph. 4:1-3

19. Is Unity Possible On:
• Plan Of Salvation? (Fellowship?)
• Identity Of Church? (Fellowship?)
• Work and Worship Of Church? (“)
• Moral Living? (Fellowship?)
• All Will Not Believe 1 Jn. 2:19
• Remember 1 Cor. 1:11-13
• Christ Is Not Divided. Let Us Be One!

20. Uniform Teaching Of Scripture
1 Cor. 1:101 Cor. 1:10
Jude 3Jude 3
Jn. 17:20-21Jn. 17:20-21
2 Tim. 1:132 Tim. 1:13
2 Tim. 4:1-52 Tim. 4:1-5
1 Pt. 4:111 Pt. 4:11
1 Cor. 4:171 Cor. 4:17