Written by: Dr. Malcolm Brubaker
THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH
Early Christians used an analogy for the theological unity of the Church – the seamless garment of Christ (John 19:23-24). The Roman soldiers did not divide it but cast lots for it. This analogy emphasized the theological unity that ties all believers. The apostle Paul wrote, “ 3 Makeevery effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4).
We can apply this emphasis on several levels. At a global level, all believers in the
Christian faith should recognize that the blood of Christ erases differences whether cultural, political, or racial. We are all brothers and sisters in the family of God; thus, we pray and support world Christians experiencing persecution or natural disaster. We understand that there is much to forgive from past divisions in church history that led to so much “branches” of churches today. But we embrace as “family” those who hold to the essentials of Christian faith outlined in the Ephesians passage above.
At the local level, we strive to model the same truth in practical ways that we strive to
hold in theological unity. Often it is little things that act as corrosive agents to church unity: style or level of music; decisions of church décor; perceived or actual snubbing from other members; disagreements over church decisions; etc. Again the apostle Paul gives us the solution, “ 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace” (Colossians 3).
May we not tear the “seamless garment” of Christ but work for Christian unity each day!
May we remember the message of the song sung at the height of the Charismatic movement, “We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord.” Amen!