Introduction to Part I
What does the term “Unity of the Spirit” really mean for Christians? Is it an ethereal sixth sense based on feelings or intuition? Is it an intellectual or symbolic type or anthropomorphic construct used to create a theological distinction between Christians and “other” beliefs? How relevant is it to the church today? Is it important to you as a believer? Why? Are we “one” today in the local church, in the “unity of the Spirit” today?
Do you care? And does it matter?
Significance
The term ‘one’ used in reference to unity in the body of Christ is used dozens of times in the NT.
It was the focus of Jesus’ most eloquent and fervent prayer in John 17 for the entire church – every believer in Him down thru the ages – that we may all be “one”.
Jesus said (Jn 17:21) that the entire purpose – goal- of His church here on earth would be accomplished by the (incredible) testimony of unity in His church so that the world may believe that the Father has truly sent Jesus. So yes, it matters - because when unity is demonstrated to the world, it will be the testimony that Jesus is who He is- the only Son of God, Savior. When Jesus is thus “lifted up” then all men shall be drawn to Him.
Paul continued to emphasize the importance of unity throughout his writings. Ephesians 4 summarizes it succinctly:
Endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
This is the vision and purpose that Christ has for His body here on earth. But to understand and live it, we must understand:
• Exactly what does “unity” or oneness mean in the body of Christ?
• How do we know when (and if) the body of Christ is in unity?
• What must the church do (and what must God do) to accomplish unity in the body of Christ?
• What responsibilities do church pastors & clergy have to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in His work of unity at this level?
In attempting an answer to these core questions, answers to the questions raised in the introduction will become clear - as well as our role now.
What is the model for unity of the Spirit in the church?
From the Greek Strong’s Concordance, there are two related words used in this context of unity:
Unity (SC 1775) – “oneness”; “unanimity” see Eph 4:3,13; and,
One (SC 1520) – “one” see John 17; and dozens of other NT references.
There is a reality to the term “unity of the Spirit” that can be measurably demonstrated in the church.
It isn’t just a feeling or sense, or intuition.
It isn’t a symbol or intellectual construct to differentiate Christians from others.
It is REAL, TANGIBLE and it is MEASURABLE.
It is verifiable in the scriptures describing the early church.
What follows is a perspective of the real, tangible, and measurable "unity of the Spirit" found in the Bible.
Real, Tangible, and Measurable
The perfect and highest expression of unity of the Spirit was modeled in the early church after Pentecost:
Acts 2:42-47
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Three distinct “levels” of unity of the Holy Spirit are actually expressed here:
Level 1 – LCD (lowest common denominator)
(42) And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Level 2 – Signs & Wonders
(43) And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
Level 3 – A lifestyle of mutual support and sharing all things
(44-47) And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favor with all the people.
Each of these three represents a progressively higher level of unity in the church, the body of Christ on earth. And, each of these levels is real, tangible, and measurable – just like the actual resurrected body of Jesus!
Discussion of Levels of Unity of the Spirit
Throughout this three-part series, we will ask these four questions about each level of unity:
A. >What does this level of unity look like in the church?
B. >What conditions are necessary for this level of unity to exist in the church?
C. >How can the church enter in/rise to this level of unity?
D. >What responsibilities do church pastors & clergy have to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in His work of unity at this level?
The answer to these questions at each level will lead to the answers to the essential questions posed in the introduction.
Let’s look at the first level of unity.
Level 1: LCD – Lowest Common Denominator of all Christians
(42) And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
This is the absolute minimal level of unity in the body of Christ- ALL true Christian sects/groups exhibit ALL of the characteristics below to some degree. This is the lowest common denominator (LCD) of Christianity because it is common to ALL Christian groups. Let’s examine the 4 discussion questions.
The four questions for Level 1 unity:
A. >What does Level 1 unity look like?
Here’s what Level 1 unity looks like: 4 elements found in Acts 2:42:
1. Apostles’ doctrine (teaching)
2. Fellowship (Koinonia)
3. Breaking of bread
4. Prayers
These four practices are tangible, measurable behaviors of Level one unity. Let’s look at the root words in Greek to more fully define what these represent:
1.doctrine (SC 1322 [teaching]): This implies that the gospel of the kingdom as passed on by the apostles is taught & preached on a regular basis.
2.breaking (SC 2800-Fracture, breaking: ref: Lords Supper) bread: This implies the Lords supper (Holy Communion) is a regular practice.
3.fellowship (SC 2842-partnership, participation, social intercourse, communicate): This implies that developing true spiritual relationships is a regular practice.
4.prayers (SC 4335-prayer, worship; from SC 4336 – to pray to God, supplicate; worship): This implies a regular continuing practice of prayer according to Jesus’ model prayer to our Father.
This is level 1 – the LCD of Holy Spirit unity – and it characterizes ALL Christian groups. ALL true Christian groups exhibit ALL four characteristics to some degree!
And conversely, NO counterfeit-Christian group has ALL four defining characteristic elements of true Christianity. For example, consider the representative groups below. The counterfeit groups do not practice either 1, or 2, or 3, or 4 above; whereas true Christian groups do practice all four.
Christian Counterfeit-Christian
Catholic Mormon (LDL)
Baptist Christian Scientist
Methodist Jehovah Witness
Presbyterian Jim Jones
Orthodox KKK
: White Aryan
Non-denominationals Cult sects
:
(many!)
Note-
Christian: Counterfeit:
Holds all tenets of faith summarized in Rejects one or more tenets of NC
Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed (NC)
As noted above, in addition to the four LCD elements of true Christianity, all Christian sects believe all the tenets of the faith expressed in the Nicene Creed as laid out by the councils of Nicaea & Constantinople in the fourth century AD.
In practice, the four LCD elements of Christianity are embedded in this creed as the core faith statement. Counterfeit Christian groups do not adhere to or believe this core faith profession. From this we arrive at the necessary condition for (minimal) authentic Christianity as an answer to the question:
B. >What conditions are necessary for level 1 unity to exist in the church?
The necessary and sufficient condition for Level 1 Unity is: Adherence to the fundamental tenets of faith of the Nicene Creed(NC).
That is, if a group of believers holds to the tenets of the NC, then it will exhibit level 1 unity; and conversely, a group that exhibits level 1 unity will adhere to the NC tenets.
This is the result not of a logical proposition but a spiritual one in 1 John 4:
Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God; every spirit that does not …is not of God.
This suggests that one doesn’t have to be ‘saved' or ‘born again’ according to a specific formula; but believe in the tenets of faith (NC). We won’t address the corollary truth that one who “believes” will indeed live by that belief.
Any group that believes and accepts all the tenets of faith will exhibit Level 1 unity of the Spirit.
C. >How can the church enter in/rise to this level of unity?
This question is moot since Level 1 unity of the Spirit is by default the LCD of Christianity.
The final fourth question, then:
D. >What responsibilities do church pastors & clergy have to
cooperate with the Holy Spirit in His work of unity at this level?
The long answer is beyond the scope of this study and has thousands of books written over the age; however, the short answer is to live according to Paul’s instructions in 1 Timothy 3,4,5 to insure the church continues to grow in grace.
Next time we will look at a higher level of unity in the Spirit: Level 2: Signs & Wonders.
