The Simple Truth About Unity

by Jere E. Frost

The simple truth is that the Bible, God's word, and the Bible alone, contains the answer to our problems about fellowship, unity and division. It is the divine key to unity. We do not need smarter men or a new-fangled, higher hermeneutic; we need men with greater faith and an old-fashioned, deeper trust.

The Simplicity of Unity

We unhesitatingly and confidently affirm that the unity of the faith is a unity of agreement as to the truth. That means the truth can and should be understood (Eph. 5:17), and understood alike (different understandings equate to some misunderstandings). Unity is in Christ. This means no organization, plan or doctrine that is not of Christ, that is not in his gospel, can be set forth as any part of the ground common to believers.

Confusing the Issue

Discordant sounds are expected from sectarian sources, but it is distressing and alarming when they are heard from erstwhile gospel preachers. Two ideas are now frequently emphasized, and in both there is a germ of truth, but both are deliberately promoted at the expense of pure and simple gospel precepts for unity.

(1) It is said that each local church determines who it will fellowship. This quite properly means that no alliance of preachers, school or paper can make brotherhood determinations or issue a creedal basis for fellowship. This is true. But the implication is that certain doctrines do not constitute the divine standard by which an individual or church is to make its determinations.

For example, when a specific subject comes up, and one aborts a Bible discussion by saying, "Each church makes its own decision," it implies that each church is at liberty to decide as it pleases. That's like interrupting a discussion on baptism by saying, "Each person must decide for himself." That is true. But it is also true that no church or individual has the right to decide anything contrary to Scripture. If they do, though no other church or individual has the right to usurp their autonomy, they are still wrong! So the need of the hour is to study, believe, practice, preach and proclaim what Scripture says! The fact that we all decide for ourselves does not change the standard for fellowship, and should never abort a Bible discussion.

(2) "Romans 14 describes differences that should be allowed. We must tolerate different interpretations or we will wind up meeting in a bunch of telephone booths." This is the voice of ignorance about Romans 14 coupled with the absence of conviction about divine truth.

Instead of emphasizing that fellowship and unity are based upon gospel truth, and urging fervent studies and brotherly discussions, these two ideas are being promoted to the stifling of study and to the justifying of gross departures from the faith.

Both of them, as is the case with most error, contain a germ of truth, but then completely mislead the hearer. It's like saying everybody makes mistakes, and then finishing by saying we should not worry about repentance. The fact of mistakes, differences of understanding about something, and the fact that each church determines its own fellowship as opposed to some hierarchy doing it, does not change one simple fact -- fellowship is in the light, and to claim it in darkness is to lie (I John 1:6-7), and unity with men without fellowship with God is worthless.

Conclusion

We must go back to the divine formula. It will work. It really will.  

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