Monthly Article by Dr. Bryan J. Hult www.renewingtruth.blogspot.com Feel free to use my content, but please give credit to my work.

Copyright 2011 Dr. Bryan J. Hult Basis of Unity October Newsletter Unity in the Church is a fundamental truth for the Church. It is not an option, and anything less than unity is anti-God. Im not referring to uniformity, but unity, because unity manifests the character of God Himself as expressed in the last two newsletters. Lets look at the Basis of Unity to see what a motivation is for how we act toward others. Paul describes the wealth of truth Christians have in Christ in Ephesians 1-3. He then transitions to our walk of truth by means of Christ in Ephesians 4-6. In the beginning of that transition, he takes the rich spiritual progress of holiness explained in Ephesians 1-3 and focuses on the first aspect of a consecrated life seen in unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.1 How do we live up to the blessings of all the truth in Ephesians 1-3? Be grounded in unity. There are seven truths regarding the Basis of Unity delineated in Ephesians 4:4-6. The first Basis of Unity is that there is one body. If there is one body and Jesus Christ is the head,2 then there will be a unity of organization. The local church should be the picture of many members working in harmonious unity. Paul describes a beautiful picture of the many members, yet one body concept to the church of Corinth, which was rocked with division.3 The second Basis of Unity is one spirit. God the Holy Spirit is the same Spirit guiding each Christian into Gods Word, and therefore there will be a unity of revelation.4 There is only one interpretation of Scripture creating a unity of praise to God in the one body. The third Basis of Unity is one hope. Regardless of the trials we face on earth, we have an anchoring hope that is secure in heaven.5 Because we have a God of hope,6 we have unity of purpose. Our purpose is to glorify God, grow up spiritually and reach people for Jesus Christ. The fourth Basis of Unity is one Lord. The Lordship of Jesus Christ gives us unity of authority, because all authority has been given to Him.7 Christians are not just passing the time, they are focused on the mission of discipling the world under the authority of Jesus Christ. The fifth Basis of Unity is one faith. The type of faith mentioned here is the body of truth that Christians believe in when there is a unity of doctrine. Therefore, as Jude exhorted, we contend for the faith as the body of truth that the world is pummeling with lies.8 Paul recalls how the Gospel he received is not of man and what he once tried to destroy, he now preaches.9

The sixth Basis of Unity is one baptism. This is the baptism of the Spirit Paul describes to the Corinthians.10 Baptism in its basic definition means identification. Because Christians are identified with the death and resurrection of Christ, there is a unity of obedience. Finally, the seventh Basis of Unity is one God and Father of all. This basis creates a unity of worship, because there is no other God but one.11 Every Christian bows to worship one God and Father. There is no option regarding any of these seven foundations in the Christian life. Christians have this Basis of Unity because unity reflects the character of God in the Trinity. Anything less than unity implies something contrary to who God is. Therefore, Christians learn humility to practice unity.12 We accept ill-treatment and do not retaliate toward each other or the world.13 We work hard to walk with the same mind.14 We have unity, because we were all washed by the same blood of Jesus Christ. As we truly believe in this Ground of Unity, well show a love for each other that the world may not comprehend, but will want to join. How can you show unity with others at Grace? 1Ephesians 4:3; 2Ephesians 1:22; 31 Corinthians 12:20, 18-27; cf. 1 Corinthians 1:10; 4John 16:13; 5Hebrews 6:19; 6Romans 15:13; 7Matthew 28:18; 8Jude 3; 9Galatians 1:11,23; 101 Corinthians 12:13; 111Corinthians 8:4; 121Peter 5:5; 13Romans 12:16-21; 14Philippians 3:16-19