The positions taken in previous numbers of the SIGNS upon the subject of leadership, are—
1. That Christ is the head and leader of his people. “One is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren.” Matt. 23: 8. “But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ.” 1 Cor. 11: 3.
2. That the simple organization suggested in the New Testament is not designed, by any means, to take the leadership of the church out of the hands of Christ, to be used as a church power to press members to submission and obedience.
3. That we have in the council held with the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, Acts 15, an example of order, authority, humility, subordination, and also that state of freedom of the will and conscience that the Holy Ghost could come in and decide in the case. Hence, the cheering report of the final adjustment of the threatening difficulty opens with these words: “For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us.” There were apostles and elders in the church who performed their official duties as wise counselors in a manner to give room for the Holy Ghost to act as judge.
4. That ample means have been ordained in the church to establish and maintain the highest state of perfection and unity expressed in the New Testament. And,
5. That there is not an apology in all the New Testament for disharmony of sentiment, or of spirit, in the church of God.
The high standard of New Testament unity in the church is expressed in the touching prayer of Christ for his disciples just before his betrayal. “Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.” John 17: 11. In these emphatic words of petition we are carried up to the very throne of Heaven, to the Father and the Son, for an example of unity.
In the previous chapter, Christ had cited the disciples forward to the day of Pentecost, when the Spirit of truth, his representative in his absence, should come upon them to guide them into all truth. “Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth.” John 16: 13. “He will show you things to come.” But in his prayer for his disciples, he honors the Word, as the great standard of genuine sanctification, and of divine guidance. “Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth.” Chap. 17: 17.
And this earnest prayer of the Son of God embraces others beside the eleven. In its yearning sympathy for the church it reaches forward to all coming time. “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.” Verses 20, 21.
Here again the oneness of the Father and the Son is mentioned as the rule of Christian unity for all time. And the reason why it should exist is given in words which may be repeated again, and again—“That the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” Had the church come up to the standard of unity given in this prayer of our Lord; the world would have believed. But her discord and confusion have been her weakness, and the greatest cause of infidelity; while unity might have been her strength in bringing men to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
The apostle takes up the subject right here where the prayer of Christ leaves it. “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.” Rom. 15: 5, 6. Paul does not lower the standard of unity given by “Christ Jesus,” in his prayer for the church; but in his epistle to the brethren of Rome, he holds it up as the only true and safe one. As the Father and the Son are one, so should the church be one.
And in his epistle to the brethren at Corinth, the apostle uses the language of an anxious father beseeching his dear children in Christ, to press to the true standard of Christian unity. “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.
And in his tender, and yet powerful, appeal to the brethren at Philippi, the apostle urges by all that is high and holy, consoling and merciful, joyful, and lovely, that they seek the highest standard of unity. “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. Phil. 2: 1, 2. “Finally,” says Paul, “brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you.” 2 Cor. 13: 11, 12. And in perfect accord with this is a most hearty finally from the apostle Peter. He says: “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.” 1 Pet. 3: 8.
The history of the last quoted apostle, viewed in the light of Christian experience, and Christian experience, is truly wonderful. At one time you see the ardent Peter drawing the sword and cutting off the ear of the servant of the high priest. At another time he is denying his Lord, and even cursing. Jesus pitied his weakness, and at the last supper said to him, “Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not. And when thou art converted strengthen thy brethren.” Luke 22: 31, 32.
Peter is now converted. And the companionship of the beloved John has had a softening, refining influence. He is now a true Christian gentleman. And his exhortation to have “compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous,” comes from his heart and pen, all aglow with sanctified ardor, with triple power. If it be said that persons, widely differing in temperament and taste, cannot by the grace of God be brought to a condition of unity of sentiment and spirit, we reply, The word of God, and Peter and John.