What does Christian unity really look? Why is it needed? Is unity always good? This Bible study outlines what the Bible says about unity within the Body of Christ.

1. UNITY in the Body of Christ
Breath of Life International Church
Latreia Bible Study
25 January 2012

2. Unity in the Body of Christ
Bible Study Outline
1 What is UNITY?
2 Christ’s Desire for Unity
3 Unity in the Church
4 What Unity is NOT
5 Questions and Answers
Breath of Life International Church, 2012

3. What is UNITY?
 The state of being joined or united, as a whole
 Harmony or agreement between people or groups
 The state or quality of being one; singleness
 The state or quality of being in accord; harmony
 Being of one mind
 Greek “henotēs”
• Unanimity
• Agreement
Breath of Life International Church, 2012

4. Jesus’ Prayer for Unity
A Unified Church, Separated from the World
John 17:11, 20-21, NLT
“Now I am departing from the world; they are
staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy
Father, you have given me your name; now
protect them by the power of your name so that
they will be united just as we are.”
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also
for all who will ever believe in me through their
message. I pray that they will all be one, just as
Christian unity is based on the you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and
truth of God’s word. It’s this I am in you. And may they be in us so that the
truth that binds us together world will believe you sent me.”
(John 17:17).
Breath of Life International Church, 2012

5. Doing Your Part
Walk Worthy (Ephesians 4:1-3)
• “…walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are
called”
– Find, follow and fulfill your call
– Stay in your lane
– Be responsible for your call
– Take ownership
• Preserve unity of the Spirit
– Sin causes division. Avoid it!
Breath of Life International Church, 2012

6. Doing Your Part
Walk in Unity (Ephesians 4:4-7)
• “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye
are called in one hope of your calling; One
Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and
Father of all, who is above all, and through
all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is
given grace according to the measure of the gift
of Christ.”
• Act like a family of ONE (1 Corinthians 12:12)
Breath of Life International Church, 2012

7. We are ONE
Walk in Unity (Ephesians 4:4-7)
✓ 1 One Body– the Church (Eph 1:22-23; Eph 5:23)
✓ 2 One Spirit – the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:13)
✓ 3 One Hope – for Eternal Life (Titus 1:2)
✓ 4 One Lord – Jesus Christ (Matt 6:24)
✓ 5 One Faith – in God’s word (Rom 10:17; Acts 6:7)
✓ 6 One Baptism – Jesus Christ (Rom 6:3; Acts 2:38)
✓ 7 One God – the Father (John 17:17-23; Col 3:9-10)
Breath of Life International Church, 2012

8. Doing Your Part
Walk in Your Gifts (Ephesians 4:8-16)
• “He… gave gifts unto men… apostles; and
some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and
some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting
of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for
the edifying of the body of Christ”
• The gift of ministry is the fruit of Christ’s
ascension
• Remember and protect the purpose of the gift
Breath of Life International Church, 2012

9. Characteristics of a Unified Church
What YOU Must Do (Philippians 2:1-4)
✓ 1 Walk in agreement; be like-minded (vs. 2)
✓ 2 Love one another (vs. 2)
✓ 3 Work together (vs. 2)
✓ 4 Be purpose driven (vs. 2)
✓ 5 Don’t be selfish (vs. 3)
✓ 6 Be humble (vs. 3)
✓ 7 Look out for others (vs. 4)
Breath of Life International Church, 2012

10. Promote Unity
Monitoring Our Actions toward One Another
ACTION REASON
Love one another. John 13:34
Be patient, allowing for the faults of others. Ephesians 4:2
Be kind and forgiving toward one another. Ephesians 4:32
Submit yourselves to one another. Ephesians 5:21
Love one another with pure affection. Romans 12:10
Have the same mind toward one another. Romans 12:16
Receive one another. Romans 15:7
Admonish (teach and correct) one another. Romans 15:14
Greet one another. 2 Corinthians 13:12
Use hospitality toward one another. 1 Peter 4:9
Serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13
Comfort one another. 1 Thessalonians 4:18
Edify and encourage one another. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Exhort one another daily. Hebrews 3:13
Consider one another Hebrews 10:24
Teach one another Colossians 3:16
Confess your faults and pray for one James 5:16
another.
Breath of Life International Church, 2012

11. Don’t Compromise Unity
Unity Requires a Proactive Agenda
• 1 Corinthians 1:10-13
– Avoid “identifiers” that cause division
• Denominations
• Identifications based on specific teachers
• Titles, names or any other identifiers used to cause
separation, division or classification
– Speak the same thing – God’s word!
Breath of Life International Church, 2012

12. Don’t Compromise Unity
Division is a Result of Carnality
• 1 Corinthians 3:3-4
– Those causing division operate in the flesh
• Jealousy
• Quarreling/ arguing
– Division and competition are worldly
characteristics
• 1 Corinthians 11:17-19
– Division is a sign of needed repentance
Breath of Life International Church, 2012

13. Don’t Compromise Unity
An Assembly Divided Cannot Stand
• Mark 3:23-26
– A house divided will fall
– Begin with unity within the local church
• Titus 3:9 NLT
– Satan’s greatest weapon is discord among the
brethren
– Doctrine is the most common area of attack
Breath of Life International Church, 2012

14. What Unity is NOT
Unity Can’t be Forced – It Is a Choice!
SPIRITUAL
NOT the same
ELITE and as proximity or
UNIQUE doctrine, but
NOT expressed
SELECTIVE uniformity or through lifestyle
control
NOT all-
inclusive
Breath of Life International Church, 2012

15. Believe It or Not
Unity is NOT Always Right – BEWARE!
• Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-8)
– Nimrod, a leader of unity, but despised by
God
• Unity around anything NOT like God is
NOT acceptable
– False doctrines
– Opinions contrary to God’s word
– Habits or activities not approved by God
Breath of Life International Church, 2012

16. Behold, how good and how
pleasant it is for brethren to
dwell together in unity!
Psalm 133:1
Breath of Life International Church, 2012

17. Questions or Comments?

18. UNITY in the Body of Christ
© 2012 Breath of Life International Church
Prophet Joy Allen, Instructor