“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought” ( 1 Corinthians 1:9-10). “God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. The Holy Spirit also spoke through the pen of the apostle Paul regarding unity: “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one-” ( John 17:22). Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one” ( John 17:11). “I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Christ spoke of this oneness as He prayed: The cross of Christ has gathered us all together as one, and it is the cross of Christ which keeps us together as one. The cross of Christ breaks down all barriers. This is what unity looks like: only as we come together under the banner of His shed blood, i.e., what Christ accomplished on the cross on our behalf, can we have true unity. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” ( 1 Corinthians 3:9-11).Ĭhrist is our foundation, and He can never be separated from His finished work. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. “For we are co-workers in God’s service you are God’s field, God’s building. If the cross is the centerpiece of the Word of God (and it is), shouldn’t the cross also be the centerpiece of His church? Our denominations must bow down to the lordship of Jesus Christ. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile” ( Romans 1:16).

What Is Unity, and What Does It Look Like? Let’s take a look at what the Bible says about unity. But we cannot thrive if we are broken by disunity and petty arguments. We are the body of Christ! His church grows and expands through the power of the gospel. The church, as it is, in spite of differences, is the most powerful organism in the universe. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it’” ( Matthew 16:13-18). ‘Who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. “When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist others say Elijah and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But what about you?’ he asked. But God has one Church, which is built and being built by the Lord Jesus Christ: It is unfortunate that things are the way they are, but are denominations the final word on unity? Denominations and splinter groups are all a product of men, and men are flawed-very flawed. To be sure, denominations are not of God, but at this point, there can be no change.

Bonds of unity definition