Twelve Ways To Achieve Greater Biblical Unity in the Church

Twelve Ways To Help Us Achieve Greater Biblical Unity

1. Pray for it regularly. Pray for wisdom on how to to achieve greater biblical unity without compromising the gospel and word of God. Pray for a humble and submissive attitude when dealing with the various issues and decisions that the local church faces.

2. Pray about and study the word of God without any preconceived beliefs and ideas. Don’t try to get it to mean what you already believe personally, receive it for what it says!

3. Use a modern translation of the KJV/Texus Receptus manuscripts. Many Christians use other versions because of the older language in the KJV. Jesus spoke to the people in the language of His days on Earth. To avoid the controversy of which family/set of manuscripts should be used for God’s word that often brings division, let stay with the Texus Receptus but update the older and archaic words and terms still in the good ole KJV. Two such versions are the KJV 21st Century Bible and the Modern KJV. Both are based solely on the KJV/Texus Receptus. I think this is important to bring greater biblical unity!

4. Remember…Observation; Interpretation; Application. Study the word of God by books/letters, chapters and verse by verse. Be sure to try and keep the context and not break up the thought pattern of the Inspired writer.

5. Remember what many pastors and teachers call “The Analogy of Faith”- comparing Scripture with Scripture in your studying. Compare Scripture that “appears” to contradict others and ”appears” have more than one interpretation (even though only one is correct) with Scripture that is “cut and dry” with only one interpretation. No single verse or passage of Scripture stands alone unless it is alone because the teaching is not dealt with any where else in God’s word.

6. Learn and recognize the difference between a narrative and an imperative. The latter is a command we are to obey by the grace of God. The former may be wise, beneficial and God glorifying, but not a command. Understanding the difference can greatly reduce legalism and problems in the church.

7. Learn and recognize the difference between the verses of Scripture that speak from God’s perspective and man’s perspective. Not understanding this difference leads to more division and disunity because many Christians think that the latter proves the former to not be true or vice versa. Not understanding this is why we have what is decribed by the following terms: Arminians and Calvinists; Sovereign Gracers and Free Willers; Monergists and Synergists; Christians that hold to Prevenient Grace and Sovereign Grace. 

8. If they are not already, encourage your church to proclaim the word of God by book/chapter/verse by verse in the main worship service. If they will not, and you have a God-given conviction about it, start attending a church that does proclaim the word of God verse by verse. Such preaching helps the preacher keep the word of God in context and not miss various truths, and to be a greater means to reduce differences and divisions in the body of Christ. We say “during the main worship service” because so many more professing Christians go to that service than Sunday School, Sunday night services, and mid-week night services. I’m not saying that there should not be any topical messages at all. But when there is, the preacher returns to the place he left off in book/chapter/verse by verse preaching.

9. Be careful about saying something doesn’t apply because of the difference in cultures of bible times and now. While that is sometimes true in God’s word, it is not always the case. Especially if “non cultural” illustrations or examples are given by God in His word Himself.

10. Remember some biblical presuppositions such as: God is perfect, holy, righteous, truthful, and without sin. He does not make any mistakes or errors; therefore there are no contradictions in His written revelation preserved for His people. Further therefore, the bible is the word of God from Genesis 1:1 through Revelation 22:21. Remember that we have over 5000 Greek and 7000 Latin manuscript copies in our world that proves that the bible is indeed God’s word.

11. Have a God-given desire for biblical unity in the body of Christ. I say “biblical” unity because we are not talking about unity at the expense of standing for the truth of God’s word and the glorious gospel of Christ. We know it will not be perfect on this side of glory. Because of pride and sin there will always be some division. Due to that, geography, and population, there will always be a need in this life for many, many local churches. But the many denominations, belief systems, myriad of local churches, and division and disunity in the body of Christ can be minimized by the grace of God and using the means He has given us more properly.  

12. Remember the motto (that did not originate with me): “In essentials unity; in non essentials liberty; in all things charity.” There are certain salvific and important doctrines that we may have to separate over on a local church and fellowship basis. But there are others such as Eschatology (study of last things) that we can agree to disagree over and still fellowship, serve, and worship the Lord in the same local church. Let’s remember that even in our disagreeing, we need to respect and love one another as fellow creations of God and brothers and sisters in Christ as it applies. Let’s speak the truth in love (Eph.4:15), because one without the other just ain’t biblical .

Pester Brat (www.ChristianBUM.com)