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: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.
And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." (Philippians 2:1-8)
Personally, I prefer the use of "one accord" to the word "unity" because the former does not further advance the agenda of those currently promoting a one world religion. Moreover, we see one accord on the day of Pentecost, which marks the beginning of the new testament church, whereby His apostles, women and brethren were not only witnesses of His resurrection, but boldly went on to proclaim the good news gospel of Jesus and the Kingdom. (Acts 1:22)
"These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication ..." (Acts 1:14)
"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place, and suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting, and there appeared unto them cloven tongues, as of fire, and it sat upon each of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:1-4)
"And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily, such as should be saved." (Acts 2:46-47)
"And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, "Lord, Thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is ..." (Acts 4:24)
"And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch)." (Acts 5:12)
"And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did." (Acts 8:6)
As you can see, one accord tends to be an emerging principle of the new testament. Worth noting as well, "one accord" implies -- and thereby to some extent recognizes -- that all members of the body are equal, and equally necessary, with Jesus Christ being the Head of the Church. Thus, in this context, we can understand the structure within the early church, whereby the "assembling of the saints" came together in accordance with I Corinthians 14:26.
"How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying." (I Corinthians 14:26)
But I digress, Conversely, if we accept the premise that unity is one and the same as the new testament principle one accord, particularly, as unity is currently defined in our modern day religious culture, we can lose our footing when confronted with scriptures such as the following:
"And when there had been much disputing ..." (Acts 15:7)
"And the contention was so sharp between them ..." (Acts 15:39)
"Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him."
"And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him." (Acts 9:29)
As we know, both Jesus and His disciples "divided" the cities when they entered them, and this consequence, even though there was an abundance of signs and wonders, and miracles performed among the people. This outcome, even though God manifest in the flesh walked among them. Jesus saying, "I and My Father are One." (John 10:30)
So, searching further, the closest I could find for justifying unity comes from Ephesians 4. Still, therein, the word "till" suggests there is some form of turning point to achieving that unity -- till/until we all come in the unity of the faith.
"And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ -- TILL we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." (Ephesians 4:11-16)
So, are these two terms 'unity' and 'one accord' contrary to each other, as some might suggest, giving preference to one over the other, depending on which stance one prefers. Not a chance. God is not the author of confusion.
"God has tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour 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 honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." (I Corinthians 12:24-27)
"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, for the body is not one member but many.
If the foot shall say, "Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, "Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were and eye, where [were] the hearing, where [were] the smelling?"
But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him, and if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body." (I Corinthians 12:12-20)
In other words, there is a need for feeble members, and those parts that are seemingly uncomely within the body -- those that lack so that we are all edified as well as learning how to edify one another. Caring for one another in the faith, so that if/when one member suffers and/or is honoured, so should we all.
"So we are one body in Christ, and every one members of another ..." (Romans 12:5)
Joined together in a unified one accord, as clearly established on the day of Pentecost, whereby, this same Jesus whom was crucified was/is declared both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)
"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, "Men [and] brethren, what shall we do?" then Peter said unto them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:37-38)
The one accord was a consequence of the first 3,000 souls "gladly receiving His Word." Not in argument. Not in conformation to some long ago written religious statement of faith. Not to some man's fine sounding words that tickle one's ears but doesn't preach salvation, but instead, gladly in their hearts desiring to learn more.
"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles, and all that believed were together and had all things common, and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all [men] as every man had need. And they continuing daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." (Acts 2:41-47)
Thus, 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 those who have ears to hear, hear. Stand in the offering plate.
No comments:
Post a Comment