In the modern-day church, there is perhaps no more serious problem than a lack of unity among the members. Here at Zion Primitive Baptist Church, we have been blessed with a unique sense of love and unity that has persisted since the church began reviving a little over ten years ago. However, unity is not assured! It takes the efforts of every single member to maintain that unity that is required in Scripture.
“Unity” does not mean that everyone is exactly uniform in every respect. In fact, in our own congregation, we have those who disagree on which football team to support, on which recreational activity is best, and even on which dessert they prefer! No one is wrong about these things; there is no single standard by which to measure one’s tastes in music, college team, or food preference.
However, there IS a standard by which to measure the type of unity that must be present for a church to thrive! In this essay by Elder Vernon Johnson, we find that this standard is the word of God. The basis of unity in the church is how closely they follow the dictates of Scripture, especially in regard to fundamental doctrines. This essay says it all: the church MUST agree that the Bible is the measuring rod for unity!
May the Lord bless you is my prayer!
Elder Chris McCool, Pastor
One Mind
by Elder Vernon Johnson
The members of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ are to strive to be united in thought as it pertains to the doctrines, practices, teachings, worship, love, and practical godliness. The following verses abundantly show this teaching:
1. Rom 15:6 “That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2. 2 Cor 13:11 “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.”
3. Phil 1:27 “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;”
4. Phil 2:2 “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”
5. 1 Pet 3:8 “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:”
To be united in thought would be impossible to do unless we have a perfect standard to which we all can strive. Amos 3:3 asked the question, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” The answer is implied that it is impossible to walk together unless there is agreement. At the point of disagreement is the point at which two will not walk together. We may agree on nine things and walk together in those nine things, yet when we disagree on the tenth thing we cease walking together.
Our standard of agreement is the word of God. II Tim. 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” Not only is the scripture a thorough furnisher unto all good works, it is also the standard by which we can agree together and have fellowship one with another and worship together in Spirit and in truth: 1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” Thus, our fellowship is found in the light of the truth of God’s word.
The Lord warns us about vain worship: Mark 7:7 “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Furthermore, he taught that “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
When we are of one mind, we live in peace one with another. When we are of one mind, according to the scriptures, we worship God together in Spirit and in truth and have fellowship one with another. When we are of one mind we have love one for another and have the same care for one another as we have for our self.