1 Braggs church of Christ

2 Unity Of The New Testament Church

3 I. Unity – An Important Characteristic Of The Church  1. Jesus prayed for it  Jn. 17:20-22  “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

4 Jn. 17:20-22  [21] That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. [22] And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one”

5 I. Unity – An Important Characteristic Of The Church  2. The Apostles Pleaded for it  1 Cor. 1:10  “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment”

6 I. Unity – An Important Characteristic Of The Church  3. The early church practiced it  Acts 4:32  “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul”

7 I. Unity – An Important Characteristic Of The Church  4. The unity of the church was not:  A union of conflicting forces  A federation of denominations (There were no denominations then)

8 I. Unity – An Important Characteristic Of The Church  4. The unity of the church was not:  An alliance of religions

9 I. Unity – An Important Characteristic Of The Church  5. The unity of the N.T. church was: Jews & Gentiles - bond & free - makes & female becoming one in Christ!  Gal. 3:28

10 Gal. 3:28  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

11 II. They Were All One In Christ  1. They believed the same gospel  Mk. 16:15  Gal. 1:6-9

12 Mk. 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

13 Gal. 1:6-9  I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: [7] Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

14 Gal. 1:6-9  [8] But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. [9] As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

15 II. They Were All One In Christ  2. They had obeyed the same gospel  Acts 2:38, 41

16 Acts 2:38  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.

17 Acts 2:41  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

18 II. They Were All One In Christ  3. They were added to the same church  Acts 2:47

19 Acts 2:47  Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

20 II. They Were All One In Christ  4. They kept the same law  Mt. 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

21 II. They Were All One In Christ  5. They continued in the same doctrine  Acts 2:42  2 Jn. 9

22 Acts 2:42  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

23 2 Jn. 9  Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

24 II. They Were All One In Christ  6. They wore the same name  Acts 11:26  1 Pet. 4:16

25 Acts 11:26  And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

26 1 Pet. 4:16  Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

27 II. They Were All One In Christ  7. They heeded 1 Cor. 1:10  Spoke same thing  No divisions  Perfectly joined together:  Same mind  Same judgment

28 II. They Were All One In Christ  7. They heeded 1 Cor. 1:10  Brethren can be united if they desire to be and if the Lord’s will is allowed to control their lives  We can be united if we let his will reign supreme in our lives

29 II. They Were All One In Christ  8. They had the same love one for another  Phil. 2:2  Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind

30 Conclusion  Amos 3:3  “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”  Lk. 6:46  “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”