DO WE NEED CHURCH UNITY?

By David Woodbury

  

One of the clearest memories of my childhood is that of a school scripture lesson when I was around eight years of age. The Scripture teacher decided he would introduce The Apostle’s Creed as a regular part of our lesson. It was my first encounter with the creed and as the class recited it I stumbled when we came to the line: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church. As I wasn’t Catholic this all seemed a bit odd to me. Only later did I come to understand the word catholic referred to the universal, world-wide church and not the Roman Catholic Church.

Church unity is a perennial discussion that seems to go nowhere. Those outside the church level criticism at the Christian church for being so divided along denominational lines and perhaps in part, we seek unity in response to that criticism. Many Christians believe that unity of the church is biblical but are concerned that such unity may extinguish their way of life within their denomination. Perhaps some careful examination of God’s Word will give us a clearer picture and a resolution to the question with which we are comfortable.

It is obvious that our spiritual forefathers saw the church as having a universal disposition in spite of denominational differences. Over the centuries many have striven to achieve unity within the various strains of Christianity and often the debate has become so confusing that many Christians simply tune out. However, the reality is that the unity of those who follow Jesus and call themselves Christians has a sound biblical basis and perhaps we need to simplify its meaning.

In writing to his troubled church in Corinth Paul makes a plea for Christian unity while at the same time insisting that a relationship with God is a very individualistic and personal one, aided and directed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. It is against this background that I to want explore how we might find unity in diversity.

Much has been written about unity among Christian churches but perhaps we have failed to apply any significant theology to it. It may well be that Paul is giving us the understanding we need. Perhaps as we explore Paul’s thinking we might come to understand that we can indeed find unity and diversity.

Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.  (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 - NLT)

Paul realises that unity has to be an integral part of God’s church if it is to be an effective force. While there may be differences in operation among the various branches of the church, they must be work together in unity to fulfil His mission; the salvation of all humanity. What needs to be clearly understood is that unity within the universal church is that of objectivity and not of operation. If we are to make any sense of church unity we need to unambiguously distinguish the difference between the objective, and the operation.

Herein lies a lesson that every generation of Christians must learn anew. There is always a tendency to believe that their particular denomination has the best approach in living the kingdom lifestyle. We need to understand that God requires that all of you together are the temple of God.

Some may feel that in accepting a unity viewpoint they may lose something of their denominational uniqueness and identity, a valid point of view. However, we need to understand that God allows, and may well instigate new and diverse denominations. In many ways, they bring freshness and dynamism to the Christian ministry and the path into the kingdom lifestyle.

The Holy Spirit works not only within the individual, but also within individual denominations.

Paul makes a very distinctive and relevant point in v16:

·        The whole, universal church is the temple of God

·        The Holy Spirit dwells within each individual member.

Perhaps Paul sums it up best in Ephesians:

There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 one God and Father of all,
who is over all, in all, and living through all.

7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. (Ephesians  4:5-7 – NLT)

It is obvious in Paul’s writings about spiritual gifts in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4, clearly indicate that the local church was to be made up of individuals to whom were given specific gifts and this individuality was to come together to form a united church. What is true of the local church is true of individual denominations within the universal church.

It may well be that is God’s intentions to allow autonomous denominations to commence, grow and flourish for each brings a different emphasis to the kingdom of God. The reality is that diversity can contribute a rich colour and emphasis to the unity of the universal church message: that of the salvation of all humanity.

Every denomination must remain true to the vision that formed it. When it starts to borrow from other denominations it may well be departing from the vision God has for it and depleting and weakening the message of the universal church.

Each and every Christian has the freedom of the indwelling, guiding and inspiration of the Holy Spirit and is entitled to follow His direction, even though it may not fit with the ethos of other denominations. However, such interpretation and subsequent actions must always be within the authority and teachings of the Bible.

What does this mean for today’s Christian? The individual Christian must live acutely aware they are a child of God indwelt by the Spirit of God. We have a valid right to this belief for it is a strong point of biblical theology and understanding. Their first loyalty at all times must be to the way in which the Holy Spirit has guided them. Such a position needs authentic honesty and constant review. The tragedy is that we are great self-deceivers and at times will try to make the guidance received from The Holy Spirit fit our own personal will and agendas. At such times we need to search our hearts with brutal honesty. However, once we have truly affirmed the direction of the Holy Spirit and affirmed as biblically sound, we are at liberty to follow the kingdom lifestyle, even when it differs from other denominational expectations.

Keeping all this in mind and accepting its validity, the authentic Christian must also see themselves as a part of a universal brotherhood, in other words, have a world view of how their ministry’s and service is part of God’s overall plan and contributes to the unity of the world-wide Christian church. If we can keep this in mind it will stop us from becoming narrow-minded and developing any form of silo Christianity. There is great unity in authentic diversity.