Unity of God’s people

Unity in a common relationship with God

As children of God

Malachi 2:10 AV

10 Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?

See also Ps 133:1; Mt 23:8–9; Ro 8:15–17; Col 1:2; Col 1:12; 1 Jn 5:1

As the people of God

1 Peter 2:9–10 AV

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

See also Ex 6:7; Ex 19:5–6; Dt 7:6; 2 Sa 7:24; Mal 3:17; Eph 1:14; Heb 11:25

Unity in a common union with Christ

1 Corinthians 10:16–17 AV

16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

See also Jn 11:52; Ro 12:4–5; 1 Co 12:12; Ga 3:26–28; Eph 2:17–19; Eph 4:16; Col 3:11

Unity through common receiving of the Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 12:13 AV

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

See also Is 34:16; Ac 10:45–47; 1 Co 12:4–11; 2 Co 13:14; Eph 2:22; Heb 6:4

Unity in a common faith

Ephesians 4:4–6 AV

4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

See also Eph 4:13; Tt 1:4; 1 Jn 1:1–3; Jud 3

Expressions of unity among God’s people

Commitment to one another

1 Sa 18:1–4; Ru 1:16–17; 1 Th 2:8

Sharing possessions

Acts 4:32 AV

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

See also Lk 3:11; Ac 2:44–45; Ro 12:13; Ro 15:27; Ga 6:6; 2 Ti 2:6

Giving support

Joshua 22:3 AV

3 Ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God.

See also Dt 3:18; Heb 10:24–25

Sharing troubles

2 Co 1:7; Php 4:14

Unity expressed in agreement with one another

Living in harmony

Ps 133:1; Eph 4:3; 1 Pe 3:8

See also Ro 12:16; Ro 14:17; 1 Co 10:24; Eph 4:25; Php 4:2; Col 1:12–14; Col 3:15

United in purpose

Philippians 1:27 AV

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;

See also Jdg 20:11; 1 Sa 14:7; Ezr 3:8–10; Ne 4:6; Mt 18:19–20

Of one mind

1 Corinthians 1:10 AV

10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

See also 2 Ch 30:12; Php 2:2

Unity expressed in worshipping together

Romans 15:5–6 AV

5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

See also Ps 22:22; Ps 68:26; Ps 122:1; 1 Co 14:26; Heb 2:12

Unity marks out God’s people

John 17:21–23 AV

21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

See also Jn 13:34–35