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The Blessing of Unity

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The secret of the blessing the early Christians enjoyed, and the power they were for good, may be summed up in one word-“Unity.” This is seen in connection with those trite and telling words, “One accord,” which occur again and again in the Acts. Mark “Accord,” not “Discord.” The Church should be like a well-tuned harp, upon which the Master of Assemblies can play the melodies of righteousness and holiness of life, love to each other, and glory to God in the highest.

Jesus Himself prayed for this unity in John 17:11, “Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.” By God’s grace, may we strive for:

  1. Unity in Prayer. “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication” (Acts 1:14).
  2. Unity in Obedience. “They were all with one accord in one place” (Acts 2:1).
  3. Unity of Presence. “They were all with one accord in one place” (Acts 2:1).
  4. Unity of Purpose. “Continuing daily with one accord in the temple.” “Praising God” (Acts 2:46, 47).
  5. Unity in Praise. “Lifted up their voice to God with one accord” (Acts 4:24).
  6. Unity in Service. “They were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch” (Acts 5:12).
  7. Unity in recognizing God’s Servants. “It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul” (Acts 15:25).

Comments

  2. Unity in Repentance. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (II Ch. 7:14).

  3. Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

    In Jesus Christ alone can this be accomplished. There is no other way.

  4. UNITY in itself is no virtue. The “one accord” phrase in scripture also describes some nasty agreements (accords), like stoning saints (use BLB and search the phrase for yourself). It is no magic formula.

    The unity we want is the John 17 unity where, yes, Jesus said, “Make them one as we are one,” and also, “Thy word is truth.” True Christian unity is Biblical and not human-centered.

    Biblical unity is based on the whole counsel of Scripture, and not a sort of “shamanistic” step where we all get together, say the same thing (read incantation if you like), and then great spiritual power is granted us.

    I rather think the difference between the church today and the church of Acts is that the men and women of the early church took seriously and personally the responsibility to spread the gospel and snatch souls from hell. Read the apostolic fathers. They were not lazy and they were not self-centered.

    • Great points. I also think they took greater responsibility with regard to personal accountability, personal holiness, and personal (self) judgment.

    • Absolutely, they saw the promised Messiah! 1 Jn 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our FELLOWSHIP is WITH THE FATHER and with HIS SON, Jesus Christ.

      The earth lost it’s appeal. Blessed are those who’ve not seen, and yet believe…the earth loses it’s enticing lure as our focus changes to eternal things.

  5. [It is] like the precious (2896) ointment (8081) upon the head (7218), that ran down (3381) upon the beard (2206), [even] Aaron’s (175) beard (2206): that went down (3381) to the skirts (6310) of his garments (4060); Psa 133

    The word, ointment, describes fatness and is descriptive of feasts….. May we be fat with unity……..

    • Amazing! Note the sequence. Head, beard..down to the skirts! Now notice Paul’s “First Apostles, secondarily.., thirdly.1Cor 12:28 also Eph.4:11. Bethesda pool had 5 porches. First agree with the word and be joined to (Levi) God Amos 3:3. Paul screams,’Who can separate us..ie.he/they are docked, dovetailed, coupled, connected with something. The TLB abounds with the phrase ‘union with Christ’. My body is bonded to the faithful creator, the Father, my soul to the lover of my soul, the Son of his love, my spirit to the Holy Spirit, my teacher – Triple Covalent Bond!!! By faith my Octet (Phi.4:8;2Pet.1:5-0 is complete (Col.2:10) and I can stand still and know, see that “I AM God” Ex.14:13; Ps.46:10. Check out the molecular structure of Nitrogen(Rom.1:19-20) and agree with God like Job (Job.40:4).That’s why we are able to fill our tires with Nitrogen. Threefold Cord is not quickly broken Ecc.4:12. I am neutral to the world. This is the BOND OF PEACE that Grace1954 quotes. There was a bifurcation in Eden, but now by faith I am at one with the Holy One-atonement! I am constrained by the love of Christ, love of truth 2The.2:10. I have Strong Consolation (Heb.6:18). Strong Delusion is NOT my portion. Hallelujah! That is U N I T Y. Amen. Grace be with you all.
      Poor and needy one,
      Mathew

  6. Although Psalm 133 is only three verses long, its description of unity is so rich ending with God’s blessing and life forevermore!

  7. How can Biblical unity and discord survive in a believer?

    Too often the very foundation of our own faith is not inspected with each imagination of a complaining tongue.

    Unfortunately its the self preservation rationale we hold to afterwards that consumes us and everyone else.

    Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! Psalm 133:1

    Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24

  8. If our eyes be on Jesus, and our hearts at close quarters with Him, then the pressures that tend to rip us brothers and sisters apart will deminish, love will replace suspicion, and unity will shine to the world!

  9. We need to be careful not to idealize how unified first century Christians were. Appearantly they were unified on that Day Of Pentecost in that upper level room, and some weeks after, but how long did that unity really last? They obviously were not always unified, but were trying to be. We find that out when we read about issues of whether to be circumsized or not, eating meat sacrificed to idols or not, whether Mark should be involve or not.

    It still took getting to the third century to get a “unified” Bible/canon.

    And just because a group of Christians get together “in one accord” for one issue or reason, doesn’t mean they are all “in one accord(or getting along completely)” on every other issue, reason or subject matter.

  10. Psalm 15:1 LORD who shall abide in thy tabernacle who shall dwell in thy holy hill

    Psalm 15:2 He that walketh uprightly and WORKETH righteousness and speaketh the the truth in his heart

    Acts 10:35 But in every nation he that feareth HIM and WORKETH righteousness is accepted with HIM

    1 John 3:10 In this the children of GOD are manifest and the children of the devil whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of GOD neither he that loveth not his brother

    1 John 2:29 If you know that HE is righteous you know that everyone that doeth righteousness is born of HIM

    Proverbs 8:8 All the words of MY mouth are in righteousness there is nothing froward or perverse in them

    Proverbs 8:20 I walk in the way of righteousness in the paths of judgement

    Psalm 119:172 My tongue shall speak of thy word for all thy commandments are righteousness

    Psalm 119:144 The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting give me understanding and I shall live

    Psalm 119:104 Through your precepts I get understanding therefore I hate every false way

    Proverbs 8:14 Counsel is mine and sound wisdom I am understanding I have strength

    Matthew 6:33 Seek ye first the kingdom of GOD and HIS righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you

    Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

    Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled

    Romans 6:18 Being then made free from sin you became the servants of righteousness

    Romans 6:20 For when you were the servants sin you were free from righteousness

    Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin and become servants to GOD you have your fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life

    Galatians 5:13 For brethren you have been called unto liberty only use not your liberty for an occasion to the flesh but by love serve one another

    Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of GOD is not meat or drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the holy spirit

    Proverbs 11:4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath but righteousness delivereth from death

    Proverbs The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness

    James 2:24 You see then how that by works a man is justified and not by faith only

    Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said WE OUGHT TO OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN———–UNITY

    Loving the LORD JESUS CHRIST

  11. Ephesians 4:3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. Paul calls unity very important if not a command. I think that we can talk about the words of the Bible all we want and get no where. We have to think in terms of being God-like ourselves not just versed. Obey God, yes, read the Bible yes, but try to be Jesus to others by being a vessel of the power of God which is love.

  12. We need unity, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and direction. This is a new and strange season.

    • It seems to me that this wonderful unity that is so foreign to men, their egos and self will is the simplicity of living out Galatians 2:20…”I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself up for me”. Let us die well and watch the love of God unify the body and let it be known to the world that everything they long for is found in Christ and the Spirit of Holiness living within His children…..

  13. Conformity (Rom.12:2) is cruciformity! Concord is a salient feature of language, subject/verb,noun/pronoun… God spoke first! Good discussion! Straightline? An engineer laid out,Isaiah’s CAST UP, a public road in my village. It may be the most wierdest road ever built. He wanted to save his own gate and spare his brother’s property! Vested interest and Truth interest are contrary. They never mix. Hence the Master said, “Go & sell” and come follow me.1Cor.1:10 is good, triple same, add one more ‘same image’. It is the work of the Holy Spirit.Let us not grieve the Lover, quench the Fire or resist Succourer,Aid. Start ,please, at Eph.4:11. Five-fold ministry, five Beauticians working on the Bride Col 1:28. Our God is an UNTIL God. He fights,woos,courts until (Isa.62;1). He is looking for UNTIL men(Ps.123:2).Their meeting is the beginning of miracles.What can you withhold from a God who withholds nothing from you?
    May the Lord make each one a chapter of miracles. Amen.
    Poor and needy one,
    Mathew

  14. Great discussion!

    When I read ACTS, I read that they took care of each others’ needs (sharing food, shelter and clothing). And they loved the same Jesus and they loved each other and were forgiving.

    Debi

  15. The word “unity” is very dangerous today. We should be unified to Christ and His Word, not to today’s version of “unity” which means watering down or changing the Word to please man.

    • Where did you find that definition of “unity”?

      I would like to check the facts.

      thanks,
      Debi

  16. “Where dwellest thou?” “Come and see.” Jn.1. Daniel speaks of saints,gods whose dwelling is NOT with the flesh, whereas Nebu’s dwelling was with the beasts (antonym of Christ)! These are two lifestyles, call it Palace Style,if you will, and Plaza or simply market place Style Ps.144:12.In other words, those who do the will of God & those who do the will of the Gentiles 1Pet.4:3. “Enough is enough”, Peter protests. He was a good Protestant! Now turn to Paul’s ‘being made CONFORMABLE unto his death’. It all depends on the shape of your Christianity.There are Cretians (Titus.1) and Christians! Luciform, derived from Lucifer and cruciform. There is absolutely NO fallow ground on the cross.See Ps.129:3. I/We have to do our homework(GEN.30:30),BREAK UP OUR FALLOW GROUND (Hos.10:12) spirit, soul and body 1Thes.5:23.May the surging grace of God be with you all.Amen
    Poor and needy one,
    Mathew

  17. Eph.1. Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,2. with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3. being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

    The posts are all good and Amen to them. One word in this verse does explain a lot. “preserve” or maintain the unity of the Spirit. Many try to form or create unity, while the word is to “preserve” “maintain” what is already there in the Spirit. Problems develop when we try to create unity. In Him is unity it is truly found nowhere else.

  18. I have been in and out of churches as a youth pastor. I have been kicked out, disliked, chewed out, misunderstood, talked about, have been through it all. The one thing I have observed – everybody is in it for them selves. We have put a lable on our churches and seperated ourselves under Baptist, under Catholic, under penticostal, Lutheran….on and on and on.

    We go to church to a one man show, a dress show, a statis show….how sad is that. EVERYONE sitting in church has a calling and a gift inside of them!!!!! Everyone!!!!!! My question is, “How is it being developed and untilized for the GLORY of our Father that is in heaven?”

    The church has played church for so long that it has lost its identity. The true word has been shreded by denominationalism. Those who look at the chapter of Acts and say those gifts are not for today – well just rip the chapter out and call God a liar. Because he said that he was sending a helper – that helper is the Holy Spirit – you deny the power of the Holy Spirit, you just denied God. You just denied apart of who HE is – a gift that will fill you and empower you to do what you are called to do here on this earth.

    When I read the scripture you shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover – I said ok God I am taking you at your word. I was scared at first, shaking in my boots. Every time I stepped out to pray for someone or to ask them how their day is going I saw the love of God pour out of my heart into theirs. I have learned more about HIM in the stepping out then I have sitting in a pew. When I would pray for someone, I always walked away and said, “Father I thank you for your amazing love for that person, thank you that every prayer is answered, it is finished!” I am now hearing back the healing that have taken place.

    We have lost our intamacy with the Father. Our perspective of our Father in heaven has been distorted by the circumstances of life. I was one of them.

    I am beginning to see unity in the church because everyone has a part in the church, everyone has a voice, we look beyond the 99% that might be wrong and pull the 1 % good out. Never have I heard a bad word come out of the Pastors mouth about anyone. Therefore, that is past on through out the people – it is contagious – we cheer each other and support each other. If we have a disagreement we fix it right away.

    Most of us have been damaged, hurt, raped, kicked punched……we have begun to help each other heal so that we can effective outside the church.

    Sorry to be so long – but I have longed, cried out, before God for that unity in the church and I am now beginning to see it. From what I have read I believe we are all going to see what has been written, lat us study it, look at it, meditate, ask the Lord to show us what it looks like through HIS eyes. Then lets begin to live it and change the world around us.

  19. Psalm 85:10 Mercy and truth are met together righteousness and peace have kissed each other

    Psalm 85:8 I will hear what GOD THE LORD will speak for HE will speak peace unto HIS people and to HIS saints but let them not turn again to folly

    2 Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceiveableness of unrighteousness in them that perish because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved

    Psalm 119:46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings and will not be ashamed

    Ezekiel 18:23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die saith the LORD GOD and not that he should return from his ways and live

    Ezekiel 18:24 But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness and committeth iniquity and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth shall he live all his righteousness that he hath done shall not not be mentioned in his trespass that he hath trespassed and in his sin that he hath sinned in them shall he die

    Ezekiel 18:25 Yet you say the way of the LORD is not equal hear now O house of Israel is not MY way equal are not your ways unequal

    Ezekiel 18:26 When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness and committeth iniquity and dieth in them for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die

    Ezekiel 18:27 Again when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed and doeth that which is lawful and right he shall save his soul alive

    Ezekiel 18:30 Therefore I will judge you O house of Israel everyone according to his ways saith the LORD GOD REPENT and turn yourselves from all your transgessions so iniquity shall not be your ruin

    Matthew 16:27 For the SON OF MAN shall come in the glory of HIS FATHER with HIS angels and then HE shall reward every man according to his works

  20. I taught this very lesson to my teens in Sunday school about five years ago. Never have I heard it said so beautifully. The church does not realize the importance of unity and the strength in unity. My family and I have been out of church for several years now and we feel like orphans. I was relieved of all my duties when I refused to allow sin to fester in my life as it had in the lives of some others in charge. We need the church so desperately and yet we are so disgusted at what we have walked into while visiting different churches. Several Christian friends of mine and I formed a group back in 2007 and we started doing a Bible study. This group has such love and compassion for one another that we actually feel the pain of the other members. We hurt for one another and with one another. When one of us is too weak to pray or does not know what to pray, the others step in and pray in their place. This is what unity truly means. Thank you for blessing us with these words. They have touched me deeply. Praise God for his love and blessings, his grace and mercy.

    • Teresa, We to have stop attending church for the past 3 to 4 years because of similar reasons and it is kinda lonely, but we have recently started fellowshiping with other belivers outside the church building and have found it very rewarding. I feel your pain but don’t know what the answer is except to pray. Keep the faith sis.

      • Leave, Cleave & Weave; that is the mystery of unity. What nation, person is there so great…Deu.4:4,7 or Jn.14:20! It is a mystery worth experimenting. Sadly, people want to run with the hare and hunt with the hound too. Thou art near, O Lord.. Ps.119:151. How much more in the NT times? Christ in you the hope..Col.1:27-28 whom WE preach, teach, warn. It is not an one man show. Unity means, U Near Infinite Treasure – Yeshua! What does that word mean?
        Poor and needy one,
        Mathew

        • The Church is not a building, it is the living stones in the building. But the people inside don’t want each other they want the building. I don’t think the church understands what the church is suppose to be like. We have missed out and don’t know the unity of the spirit. If we did we wouldn’t see what we see today.

          I hope we can break this cycle of tradition and become a church again.

          • Stand fast. Hold fast. 2Thes.2:15; Now we command you,.. Note the triple ‘disorderly’ in 2Thes.3:6-. The law of the Spirit is the answer (Rom.8:2). Stand fast therefore…Gal.5:1. Grace & mercy be with you all.
            Poor and needy one,
            Mathew

          • Thank you for you response about unity. I am struggling with my own church, as there is a division happening. My biggest question … if all things are possible with God…why in the world can’t we “born again believers” figure out how to worship together and stay together. It rocks my faith to see this happening.

  21. We can if we let go of the traditions that occupy what we call a church (the building). Not all traditions that we hold are handed down by the Apostles. There are many causing a Church (the organization) to act like nothing more than a corporation. It is these that I take exception to, not to the Church (the Living Stones) by and large. Your right though it is a shame, but it may be necessary for the times we are headed into. Just as the temple was cleansed and the leadership was shaken by Jesus this to may be necessary. Hang in there Blessed, church is not a necessary part of spiritual life, fellowship is.