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UNITY OF THE CHURCH

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Feb 19, 1901

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 78, No. 8.

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UNITY OF THE CHURCH

By John Norton Loughborough

The apostle Paul, when writing to the Ephesian church, used these words: “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Eph. 4: 1–3.
The same apostle, when addressing the Philippians, said: “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 2: 1–5.
To the Corinthians he wrote: “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Cor. 1: 10.
When writing to the Roman brethren, he exhorted them to the same unity, adding force to his appeal by reference to the example and teaching of Christ: “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.” Rom. 15: 5–7.
The example expressed in the clause “according to Christ Jesus,” which the Lord would have all His people follow, is clearly defined in the memorable prayer connected with Christ’s discourse to His disciples just before His betrayal. On this point we quote the following excellent comment: “That union and love might exist among His disciples, was the burden of our Saviour’s last prayer for them prior to His crucifixion. . . . ‘Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.’”—Testimony for the Church, No. 31, pages 232, 233.
In the same Testimony we also read: “Paul writes to the Galatians: ‘I would they were even cut off which trouble you. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.’ The apostle adds a caution to the independent and self-confident: ‘If a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. . . . Every man shall bear his own burdens.’ He who considers himself superior in judgment and experience to his brethren, and despises their counsel and admonition, evinces that he is in a dangerous delusion. The heart is deceitful. He should test his character and life by the Bible standard. God’s word sheds an unerring light upon the pathway of man’s life. Notwithstanding the many influences which arise to divert and distract the mind, those who honestly seek God for wisdom will be guided into the right course.”—Id., pages 239, 243.
The apostle Paul illustrates the union which the Lord desires to be manifest in His Church on earth, by the harmonious action of all the members in the human body: “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked: that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” 1 Cor. 12: 12, 13, 24–27. Thus are we exhorted to come into just such a unity and harmony of action as that shown in the harmonious action of all the members of our natural body.
The following quotation shows where and why many fail to maintain such a union with one another: “Those who claim to be members of Christ’s body will allow their own fancies, their likes and dislikes, to shape their conduct toward even God’s own delegated servants. After Christ has made the infinite sacrifice to redeem us from the oppressive power of Satan, shall we fail to pity and help those who are fallen and sinful like ourselves? Shall one man usurp an authority over his brethren, and hurt their souls, because he imagines that he has authority, and can do this work? The Lord ‘suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes, saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.’”
“Every arbitrary exaction of man toward his fellow man will react upon himself in double measure. Just in proportion as the human agent is a partaker of the divine nature, he will be in sympathy with Christ. Jesus says, ‘A new commandment I give unto you [that ye tolerate one another?—No], That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.’ ‘By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.’ ‘This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.’”—Mrs. E. G. White, in Review and Herald, May 26, 1896.
The apostle Peter calls attention to the example of Christ, and exhorts to unity in these words: “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed himself to Him that judgeth righteously.” 1 Peter 2: 21–23.
In the next chapter he says: “Finally be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3: 8, 9.
Of the unity that should exist at the present time, we read these words: “Let each who claims to follow Christ esteem himself less, and others more. Press together, press together! In union there is strength and victory; in discord and division there is weakness and defeat. These words have been spoken to me from heaven. As God’s ambassador, I speak them to you. Let every one seek to answer the prayer of Christ,—‘That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee.’ Oh,what unity is this! and, says Christ, ‘By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.’”—Testimony for the Church, No. 33, page 16.
“Followers of Jesus Christ will not act independently one of another. Our strength must be in God, and it must be husbanded, to be put forth in noble, concentrated action. It must not be wasted in meaningless movements. In union there is strength. . . . No strife or variance should exist among the workers. The work is one, superintended by one Leader.”—Id., page 63.
“There must be a drawing together of the servants of God. There has been too much of a spirit to ask, ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ Said the angel: ‘Yea, thou art thy brother’s keeper. Thou shouldst have a watchful care for thy brother, be interested for his welfare, and cherish a kind, loving spirit toward him. Press together, press together.’”—Testimonies for the Church, Vol. I, pages 113, 114.
Again: “Union is strength; division is weakness. When those who believe present truth are united, they exert a telling influence. Satan well understands this. Never was he more determined than now to make of none effect the truth of God, by causing bitterness and dissension among the Lord’s people. The world is against us, the popular Churches are against us, the laws of the land will soon be against us. If there was ever a time when the people of God should press together, it is now.”—Testimony for the Church, No. 31, page 232.
All this is in accordance with the words of the psalmist, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Ps. 133: 1.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.