Unity and fellowship of church

The unity of the church

The church is one

Romans 12:5 NASB95

so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

See also Eph 4:25; 1 Co 12:12; 1 Co 12:20

The church transcends all barriers

Colossians 3:11 NASB95

a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.

See also Eph 2:14–16; Jn 10:16; Ac 10:47; Ac 10:28–29; Ac 15:8–9; Ga 3:28; Eph 3:6 The great divide threatening the first Christians was between Jew and Gentile, but the church was able to unite the two into one body in Christ.

The church’s unity reflects the unity within the Trinity

Eph 4:4–6 The unity of the church is built around the persons of the Trinity: one Spirit, one Lord, one Father.

See also Jn 17:11; Ro 10:12–13; Ro 3:29–30; Ga 3:27–28

The church’s unity is the work of the Trinity

Ephesians 2:16–18 NASB95

and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.

See also Eph 2:22; Jn 11:52; 1 Co 12:13; Eph 4:3; Ac 10:45–47

The purpose of the church’s unity

To lead others to faith

John 17:23 NASB95

I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.

See also Jn 17:21

To lead believers to maturity

Ephesians 4:13 NASB95

until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

The nature of the church’s unity

Php 2:1–2 Emphasis is placed on an inner unity of mind and spirit rather than external uniformity.

See also 2 Co 13:11; Col 2:2; Php 1:27

Appeals for unity in the church

Ephesians 4:3 NASB95

being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

See also 1 Pe 3:8; Ro 12:10; Ro 15:5; Ro 15:7; 1 Co 12:25; Col 3:14

The church’s unity is expressed in fellowship

Fellowship with God

1 Corinthians 1:9 NASB95

God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

See also 1 Jn 1:3; 2 Co 13:14; Php 2:1; 2 Pe 1:4; 1 Jn 1:6–7

Fellowship expressed by meeting together

Acts 2:46 NASB95

Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,

See also Ac 5:12; Ac 6:2; 1 Co 14:26; Ac 2:42; Heb 10:25; Ac 2:1

Fellowship expressed through sharing resources

Acts 2:44–45 NASB95

And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.

See also Ac 4:32; Ro 15:26; 2 Co 8:13–14; 2 Co 9:13; Ac 4:34–37; Ac 11:27–30; 1 Co 16:1–2; 2 Co 8:2–5; Php 4:14–18

Fellowship through suffering

Revelation 1:9 NASB95

I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

See also Ro 8:17; Php 3:10; Heb 10:33–34; 2 Co 1:7; Php 4:14; Heb 13:3

Fellowship through shared spiritual blessings

1 Corinthians 9:23 NASB95

I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.

See also 1 Pe 5:1; Jud 3; Php 1:7; 2 Th 2:14; Ro 11:17

Specific actions which express fellowship and unity in the church

Sharing in the Lord’s Supper

1 Corinthians 10:16–17 NASB95

Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ? Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread.

See also Ac 2:46; Ac 20:7; 1 Co 11:33

Baptism as an expression of unity

Ephesians 4:4–6 NASB95

There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

See also 1 Co 12:13

Extending hospitality

Ac 28:7; Ro 12:13; Ro 16:23; 1 Ti 5:10; Tt 1:8; 1 Pe 4:9; 3 Jn 8

Greeting one another

Ac 18:27; Ro 16:3–16; 1 Co 16:19–20; Col 4:10; Phm 17

Welcoming former opponents

Ac 9:26–27; Ga 2:9; 2 Co 2:5–8

Divisions in the church

Causes of division in the NT church

Personal ambition:

Mk 9:34; Mk 10:35–41

Ethnic tension:

Acts 6:1 NASB95

Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food.

Differences of opinion:

Ac 15:37–40; Php 4:2

Troublesome heretical leaders:

Ro 16:17; Jud 19

Partisan spirit:

1 Co 1:11–12; 1 Co 3:3–4

1 Co 6:1–6 litigation and disputes

Greed:

1 Co 11:18; 1 Co 11:20–21; Jas 4:1–3

Warnings against divisions in the church

1 Corinthians 1:10 NASB95

Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.

See also Jas 4:11; 2 Co 12:20; Ro 12:16; Eph 4:31; Ro 16:17

Acceptable differences in the church

In secondary matters of conscience, Christians are to respect rather than judge each other. These things need not impair the essential unity that is in Christ:

Ro 14:1–3; Ro 14:5–6; 1 Co 8:9–13

In varieties of spiritual gifts:

1 Co 12:4–6; 1 Co 12:14–25; Ga 2:7

Necessary divisions in the church

Between the true gospel and heretical alternatives:

2 Co 11:2–6; 2 Co 11:13–15; Ga 1:6–9; Col 2:8; Col 2:16–19; 1 Ti 4:1–6; 1 Jn 2:18–19; 2 Jn 9–11; Jud 18–20

Between those truly committed to Jesus Christ, and those apparently part of the church but living sinful lives:

1 Co 5:9–10; 2 Th 3:6; 1 Ti 6:3–5; 2 Ti 3:2–9; 2 Pe 1:20–21; 2 Pe 2:1–3; Re 2:20; Re 2:24; Re 3:1; Re 3:4

Over essential gospel principles:

Ac 15:2; Ac 15:5–6; Ac 15:19; Ga 2:11