Unity of Believers

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Basis of Unity in Heaven

 

What relation do the Father and the Son sustain to each other?

 

“I and the Father are one.” John 10:30.

 

In what does this oneness consist?

 

“By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.” John 5:30. [The Father’s will]

 

Note – Their oneness, therefore, consists in the having the same mind, will, and purpose.

 

Desire For Unity on Earth

 

What did Christ pray the Father in behalf of His disciples?

 

“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be as one as we are one.” John 17:22.  (See also verse 11 and 23.)

 

Why did Christ desire this oneness, or unity, to exist among His followers?

 

“That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” Verse 21 

 

By what did Christ say all men should know His disciples?

 

“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13:35.

 

How did Paul show his concern in this matter?

 

“I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.” 1 Corinthians 1:10.  

 

Division Foretold

 

What is prominent cause of division in the early church?

 

“I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.” Acts 20:29,30.  

 

What was already at work in the church in Paul’s day?

 

“For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.” 2 Thessalonians 2:7.

 

Before Christ should come, what did Paul say was to take place?

 

“Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” Verses 3,4. 

 

Note – The huge system of error now fostered in the papal church is the result of the falling away here referred to.

 

 

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