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THAT THEY MAY BE ONE John 17:20-23 (NASB-U) "I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; [21] that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. "I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; [21] that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. [22] "The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; [23] I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. [22] "The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; [23] I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.

Psalm 133: How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! 2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes. 3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.Psalm 133: How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! 2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes. 3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

Ephesians 4:11ff- It was Christ who gave some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.Ephesians 4:11ff- It was Christ who gave some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Our Restoration Heritage

Thomas Campbell expressed their dream in his Declaration and Address, when he wrote, "The Church of Christ upon earth is essentially, intentionally, and constitutionally one."

"Division among Christians is a horrid evil, fraught with many evils. It is antichristian, as it destroys the visible unity of the body of Christ; as if he were divided against himself, excluding and excommunicating a part of himself. It is antiscriptural, as being strictly prohibited by his sovereign authority; a direct violation of his express command. It is antinatural, as it excites Christians to condemn, to hate, and to oppose one another... In a word, it is productive of confusion and of every evil work.""Division among Christians is a horrid evil, fraught with many evils. It is antichristian, as it destroys the visible unity of the body of Christ; as if he were divided against himself, excluding and excommunicating a part of himself. It is antiscriptural, as being strictly prohibited by his sovereign authority; a direct violation of his express command. It is antinatural, as it excites Christians to condemn, to hate, and to oppose one another... In a word, it is productive of confusion and of every evil work."

“…the most noble achievement of my life.”

the unavoidable tension between their desire for unitythe unavoidable tension between their desire for unity and their insistence that unity could only be achieved by restoring the faith and practice of the New Testament church, especially in matters of worship and church organization.and their insistence that unity could only be achieved by restoring the faith and practice of the New Testament church, especially in matters of worship and church organization. How could they work for unity without compromising the truth?How could they work for unity without compromising the truth? How could they insist on sound doctrine without sacrificing their desire for unity?How could they insist on sound doctrine without sacrificing their desire for unity?

Missionary SocietyMissionary Society The use of instruments in worship further threatened the peaceThe use of instruments in worship further threatened the peace The Civil War (sectional division)The Civil War (sectional division) DISCIPLES OF CHRIST (NORTH) CHURCHES OF CHRIST (SOUTH)

Let’s Travel to the Twentieth Century Premillenialism Sunday Schools (at one time churches met once on Sunday, and did not have Bible Classes—they were considered to be sinful) Located Preachers The methods for taking the Lord’s Supper (one cup) The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Personal or representative) The Charismatic Gifts of the Holy Spirit Congregational support of schools and colleges, Congregational support of children's homes and the Herald of Truth, Congregational cooperation among other issues

THE ISSUE OF UNITY

John 17:20-21 (NIV) "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, [21] that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.John 17:20-21 (NIV) "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, [21] that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

"WHICH CHURCH?" TO: "WHY CHURCH?" Who needs it?

CHRIST’S PRAYER FOR UNITY John 17: My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message (that includes us), that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.John 17: My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message (that includes us), that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

RESTORE THE PASSION FOR THE BIBLICAL DOCTRINE OF THE UNITY OF ALL BELIEVERS. MY QUESTION IS THIS: IN OUR QUEST FOR DOCTRINAL PURITY, WHERE IS THE PASSION FOR THE BIBLICAL DOCTRINE OF CHRISTIAN UNITY?

"There is one body and one Spirit- -just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father over all and through all and in all.""There is one body and one Spirit- -just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father over all and through all and in all." He prefaced those verses in Ephesians 4:3 (NASB-U) being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.He prefaced those verses in Ephesians 4:3 (NASB-U) being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Romans 16:17 (NASB-U) Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.

The Gospel Advocate 1880, "There is no sin more frequently and persistently condemned and warned against as fatally evil in its results by both Christ and the Holy Spirit than that of dividing a church of God."

1 Cor. 3:3- (NASB-U) for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men

"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." The NASV translates Ephesians 4:3 - being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Spoudazo - to exert oneself, to endeavor mightily, active, diligent, zealous. (Thayer) “Give it everything you’ve got.”

ALLOW DIVERSITY AND FREEDOM IN AREAS OF OPIONION.

In faith, unity;In faith, unity; in opinions, liberty;in opinions, liberty; in all things, charity.in all things, charity. "In Essentials, Unity; in Non-essentials, Liberty; in All Things, Charity,""In Essentials, Unity; in Non-essentials, Liberty; in All Things, Charity,"

Romans 14:1-10 (NASB-U) Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. [2] One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. [3] The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. [4] Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. [5] One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.Romans 14:1-10 (NASB-U) Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. [2] One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. [3] The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. [4] Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. [5] One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.

[6] He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. [7] For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; [8] for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. [9] For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. [10] But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.[6] He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. [7] For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; [8] for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. [9] For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. [10] But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

Alexander Campbell’s from the Christian Baptist in June of 1830— "If a man causes divisions and offenses by setting up his own decisions, his private judgment, we must consider him a factionist, and as such he must be excluded- -not for his difference of opinion, but because he makes his opinion an idol, and demands homage to it."Alexander Campbell’s from the Christian Baptist in June of 1830— "If a man causes divisions and offenses by setting up his own decisions, his private judgment, we must consider him a factionist, and as such he must be excluded- -not for his difference of opinion, but because he makes his opinion an idol, and demands homage to it."