Unity and fellowship of church

The unity of the church

The church is one

Romans 12:5 NLT

so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

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

The church transcends all barriers

Colossians 3:11 NLT

In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

See also Jn 10:16; Ac 10:28–29; Ac 10:47; Ac 15:8–9; Ga 3:28; Eph 2:14–16; 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 3:29–30; Ro 10:12–13; Ga 3:27–28

The church’s unity is the work of the Trinity

Ephesians 2:16–18 NLT

Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.

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

The purpose of the church’s unity

To lead others to faith

John 17:23 NLT

I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.

See also Jn 17:21

To lead believers to maturity

Ephesians 4:13 NLT

This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard 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; Php 1:27; Col 2:2

Appeals for unity in the church

Ephesians 4:3 NLT

Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

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

The church’s unity is expressed in fellowship

Fellowship with God

1 Corinthians 1:9 NLT

God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

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

Fellowship expressed by meeting together

Acts 2:46 NLT

They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—

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

Fellowship expressed through sharing resources

Acts 2:44–45 NLT

And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.

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

Fellowship through suffering

Revelation 1:9 NLT

I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering and in God’s Kingdom and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus.

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

Fellowship through shared spiritual blessings

1 Corinthians 9:23 NLT

I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

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

Specific actions which express fellowship and unity in the church

Sharing in the Lord’s Supper

1 Corinthians 10:16–17 NLT

When we bless the cup at the Lord’s Table, aren’t we sharing in the blood of Christ? And when we break the bread, aren’t we sharing in the body of Christ? And though we are many, we all eat from one loaf of bread, showing that we are one body.

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

Baptism as an expression of unity

Ephesians 4:4–6 NLT

For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through 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 NLT

But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution 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 NLT

I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.

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

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