Just One Church
One of the most interesting things about being a Christian is meeting someone from a different region or country and to discover they have the exact same faith in the exact same God. The Bible says there is only one church and Jesus is the head of this group numbering in the billions. In JOHN 17 v 20 - 24 Jesus prayed for this group of people, His church. It is interesting to note that it was the last thing He did before being arrested and crucified.
- In v 21 Jesus prays that all believers "may be one".
If Believers are of one mind then voting and democratic processes should not be necessary in a Christian organisation.
- In v 23 Jesus asks that we "be brought to complete unity" which suggests that unity isn't always achieved instantaneously, but something believers grow towards.
- The same verse goes on to say why unity is important.
It is "to let the world know that You have sent me".
Christian unity is a strong witness to unbelievers that the Bible is true.
By implication, division amongst believers is destructive to the Christian faith.
- Jesus tells us how unity is achieved; namely that Jesus Himself is in us, just as God is in Jesus.
That is spiritual oneness.
God loves oneness. In GENESIS Ch 2 v 24 God said that "a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh".
GALATIANS 3 v 28 states "there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus".
If Christ really is the Head of the church then the body of believers will be of one mind.
Be wary of those who dissent or disagree and embrace the unity and oneness we can have with all believers.