Unity of Believers

Basis of Unity in Heaven

What relation do the Father and the Son sustain to each other?

“I and the Father are one.” John 10:30.

In what does this oneness consist?

“By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.” John 5:30. [The Father’s will]

Note – Their oneness, therefore, consists in the having the same mind, will, and purpose.

Desire For Unity on Earth

What did Christ pray the Father in behalf of His disciples?

“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be as one as we are one.” John 17:22.  (See also verse 11 and 23.)

Why did Christ desire this oneness, or unity, to exist among His followers?

“That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” Verse 21 

By what did Christ say all men should know His disciples?

“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13:35.

How did Paul show his concern in this matter?

“I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.” 1 Corinthians 1:10.  

Division Foretold

What is prominent cause of division in the early church?

“I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.” Acts 20:29,30.  

What was already at work in the church in Paul’s day?

“For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.” 2 Thessalonians 2:7.

Before Christ should come, what did Paul say was to take place?

“Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” Verses 3,4. 

Note – The huge system of error now fostered in the papal church is the result of the falling away here referred to.

Unity Illustrated and Predicted

Together, what do believers in Christ form?

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:27.

Being members of Christ’s body, of what else do we become members?

“So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Romans 12:5. 

What should they endeavor to keep?

“As a prisoner for the Lord, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

Ephesians 4:1-3.

What solemn message, just before the Lord’s coming, will unite God’s people in bonds of faith and love?

“He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.” A second angel followed and said, “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great, which made the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries.” A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: if anyone worships the beast and his image and receive his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he too, will drink of the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.” Revelation 14:7-10. (See also Revelation 18:1-5.)

How are those who receive this message described?

“This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.” Revelation 14:12.  

When the Lord comes, what will be the united cry of God’s people?

“In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us, This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”

Isaiah 25:9.

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