The Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Church

Unity

One of the most desirable conditions, and one that we all like to see in the church of God, is a spirit of unity among the believers. Generally speaking, this is a rare commodity on the spiritual market. It may be that the reason we see so little unity in church life is that there is so little unity in the family life of the children of God. One of the tragedies of our time is the wrecked homes we see on every hand. There is a lack of willingness to bear and forbear within the family. To have a greater degree of unity in God’s church, however, will call for a greater degree of unity and love in each Christian family. BSPC 154.3

This is one of the vital needs to an effective witness by the church. If unity exists, it is a powerful recommendation for Christ and His claims to the world. Jesus Himself reminds us, “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another.” John 13:35. BSPC 154.4

Mrs. E. G. White has well remarked: BSPC 155.1

“It is the will of God that union and brotherly love should exist among His people. The prayer of Christ just before His crucifixion was that His disciples might be one as He is one with the Father, that the world might believe that God had sent Him. This most touching and wonderful prayer reaches down the ages, even to our day; for His words were, ‘Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word.’ While we are not to sacrifice one principle of truth, it should be our constant aim to reach this state of unity. This is the evidence of our discipleship.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, 520. BSPC 155.2

The word “unity” appears but three times in the entire Bible. There is one reference in the Old Testament and two in the New. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesian church, calls attention to “the unity of the faith” and “the unity of the Spirit.” (Ephesians 4:13, 3.) One of these references pertains to doctrine; the other to relationship. The sweet singer of Israel was certainly impressed with the idea of love among the brethren, for he mentions, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Psalm 133:1. BSPC 155.3

On the question of doctrine, it is important that the church be united in its teaching. In such matters we need, as the gospel prophet of the Old Testament counsels, to “see eye to eye” (Isaiah 52:8), and as the apostle to the Gentiles reminds us, to “all speak the same thing” (1 Corinthians 1:10). BSPC 155.4

The prayer of Jesus for His church indicates His own deep longing for an abiding fellowship among His people. No less than five times in His prayer in John 17 do we find an expression like this: “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us.” Verse 21. He showed also how this inestimable relationship might be brought about when He prayed, “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one.” Verse 23. It is a good thing at all times for the church to move together, to move as a united whole. This will mean much for their influence, not only upon themselves, but upon those who are ever ready to find fault with God’s people. Jesus told us what this would mean to the world. BSPC 155.5

“That the world may believe that thou has sent me.” Verse 21. BSPC 156.1

“That the world may know that thou has sent me, and has loved them.” Verse 23. BSPC 156.2

Unity, however, does not mean that everybody must be cast in or pressed into the same mold. There will be opportunity for each individual to work in his own way and yet maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is such a thing as unity in diversity. BSPC 156.3

“God has different ways of working, and He has different workmen to whom He entrusts varied gifts. One worker may be a ready speaker; another a ready writer; another may have the gift of sincere, earnest, fervent prayer; another the gift of singing; another may have special power to explain the word of God with clearness. And each gift is to become a power for God, because He works with the laborer. To one God gives the word of wisdom, to another knowledge, to another faith; but all are to work under the same Head. The diversity of gifts leads to a diversity of operations; but ‘it is the same God which works all in all.’”—Gospel Workers, 483. BSPC 156.4

Such a situation can be brought about, however, only by each member’s remembering that he is part of the general body. He cannot move independently; he must move in concert with others. At times this will call for giving up something; it will mean the surrender of one’s own judgment to the judgment of the church. God’s counsel on this is plain, for He says: BSPC 156.5

“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves.” Hebrews 13:17. BSPC 156.6

“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” Ephesians 5:21. BSPC 156.7

“All of you be subject one to another.” 1 Peter 5:5. BSPC 156.8

Vital counsel has been given to the remnant church on this question. BSPC 156.9

“Church relationship is not to be lightly canceled; yet when the path of some professed followers of Christ is crossed, or when their voice has not the controlling influence which they think it deserves, they will threaten to leave the church. True, in leaving the church they would themselves be the greatest sufferers; for in withdrawing beyond the pale of its influence, they subject themselves to the full temptations of the world.”—Testimonies for the Church 4:17, 18. BSPC 156.10