Many Members, But One Body
Forgiveness: The Key to Ministry Unity
Forgiveness is essential to bringing unity in the ministry. There are three things forgiveness does to resolve conflicts and bring unity.
Maintaining Unity among Churches
Maintaining Church Unity in a Confessional Way
How to Move Forward with International Inter-Church Relations
Attempts at Worldwide Ecclesiastical Relations
Union
The Problem of Unity in the Church
Church unity requires you to relinquish your personal preferences. This article mentions four preferences that may hinder unity among believers.
One among Many
Where should Christians find their identity? This article argues that Christian identity is found in union with Christ. This union that also constitutes unity among believers is demonstrated in 1 Corinthians.
Unity, Diversity, and Division
The author of this article engages the contentious issue of lack of unity and the presence of divisions in the church today. This author proceeds to explain how believers today must understand the unity of the church, the divisions that have assaulted it, and the necessity of diversity in it. The author also attacks what he calls extreme denominationalism and extreme unionism.
A Vision of Unity – Christian Unity in the Fourth Gospel
This article studies the Gospel of John on the theme of unity. It first considers the source of that unity and then its nature. Next, it considers the purpose of that unity. Finally it reflects on John's contribution towards current discussions concerning church unity.
Development and Diversity in Early Christianity
Recent studies have recast our understanding of Roman religion and led us to appreciate both its diversity and unity.
Four Sources of Discord in Your Church
Unity and Diversity in 1 Corinthians 12
Paul: Collecting Money and Maintaining the Unity of the Spirit
Legitimate Discontinuities between the Testaments
In what way is there continuity between the Mosaic covenant and the new covenant? Covenant theology is known for its emphasis on the unity and continuity between the testaments. Karlberg surveys the development of federal theology. He tries to understand the strong and sometimes even aggressive debate surrounding these issues.
The Attributes of the Church
Communion Of The Saints
Towards a Confession for Tomorrow's Church
In order for true unity and ecumenicity to exist within the churches, there needs to be a convincing confession of faith. This article looks at the role confessions and creeds play in shaping such unity of churches. Attention is given to the need for confessions, the problems and challenges of adopting confessions, and the method for formulating them.
Christian Unity
'It’s Not A Salvation Issue' So Who Cares?
1966 and All That: An Evangelical Journey - Life in a Doctrinally Mixed Denomination
In 1966, Martyn Lloyd-Jones made a public appeal for unity among evangelicals through the pursuit of a fellowship of evangelical churches. This book discusses Lloyd-Jones' appeal for unity, and what this appeal means for churches today. In this chapter, the author discusses how this appeal was made in the context of a doctrinally mixed denomination.
The Evils and Remedy of Discord in Religious Communities: A Lecture
The Unity of the Church in a European Context
Evangelicalism Reunited
Acts 2:46-47 - Singleness of Heart
Romans 15:5-7 - Living in Harmony and Unity
John 17:21 - "That They Might Be One"
In John 17:21, Christ prays for unity in His bride, the church. Why is this church unity important, and how is it achieved?
The Idea of a Federation
Psalm 133:1 - Living Together in Unity
The Westminster Confession of Faith and Church Unity (2)
The Westminster Confession of Faith was meant to further the unity of the church. These two articles look at the context of this confession and the leaders who participated in drafting it. The author also discusses church unity, which is found in the preaching of the gospel, the administered ordinances, and the performance of public worship.
The Westminster Confession of Faith and Church Unity (1)
The Westminster Confession of Faith was meant to further the unity of the church. These two articles look at the context of this confession and the leaders who participated in drafting it. The author also discusses church unity, which is found in the preaching of the gospel, the administered ordinances, and the performance of public worship.
The Ecumenical Spirit of the Reformation: Unity in the Truth
"I believe in one holy, catholic and apostolic church." This confession was wholeheartedly embraced by the reformers. The reformers confessed that true unity can only be found in the truth of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Scriptures. This article calls today’s church to follow in the reformers' footsteps.
John Calvin: Lover of the Church Catholic
John Calvin defended the break from the Roman Catholic Church, and yet he was not in favor of schisms. In this article the author shows how Calvin worked to call all reformed churches to unity in doctrine and lifestyle.
Seeking the Unity of the Church (6)
Christians confess with one voice that they "believe in a holy catholic church" - a confession which highlights the importance of pursuing church unity. Why is church unity so crucial? Why must it be pursued? This article discusses the benefits of church unity.
Seeking the Unity of the Church (5)
Christians confess with one voice that they "believe in a holy catholic church" - a confession which highlights the importance of pursuing church unity. Church unity must be pursued based on the truth of scripture and the confessional foundation of the church. In seeking unity, a distinction must be made between essential and non-essential doctrines. Examples from John Calvin are given to demonstrate this.
Seeking the Unity of the Church (4)
Christians confess with one voice that they "believe in a holy catholic church" - a confession which highlights the importance of pursuing church unity. Church unity is found in the truth of scripture and is based on the confessional foundation of the church. However, subscribing to the same confessions does not guarantee church unity.
Seeking the Unity of the Church (3)
Christians confess with one voice that they "believe in a holy catholic church" - a confession which highlights the importance of pursuing church unity. At the time of the Reformation, the reformers strove for unity in the church. However, the church still divided. Why did this occur?
Seeking the Unity of the Church (2)
Christians confess with one voice that they "believe in a holy catholic church" - a confession which highlights the importance of pursuing church unity.
Seeking the Unity of the Church (1)
Christians confess with one voice that they "believe in a holy catholic church" - a confession which highlights the importance of pursuing church unity. This article lays out the biblical grounds behind the Christian's obligation to seek church unity. The author also provides a historical survey of the early church and how she sought this unity.
The Unity of the Body of Christ
Broken Bridges
Some evangelicals believe that the Roman Catholic Church has changed, and therefore unity with the church can be pursued. The author of this article maintains that since the Roman Catholic Church has not changed its position on the doctrine of salvation, unity is not possible.
The Bonds of Christ
God's church exists as a family. This bond means churches have the obligation to carry each other and help one another, wherever God opens the door for the preaching of the gospel. In this article the author uses the example of the church in Malta caring for Paul, because they found their unity in Christ.
The Water of Life (Part 2): The Spirit and the Church
This is the second article in a series on the work of the Holy Spirit. The church is the body of Christ, with Christ as the Head. Such a church only exists through the work of the Holy Spirit. This article shows how the Spirit shapes the unity of the church and her worship.
Unity and Diversity
No Country For Old Men?
This article is about church unity versus denominational separation. Why are creeds important and when should individuals separate from a denomination?
Reconciliation or Bust
This article shares some insights for planting a multi-ethnic church. Based on Galations 3:27-29, the author encourages unity in the church which overshadows ethnic, race, and gender differences.
Understanding Christian Unity
Evangelical Reunion: Dealing With Our Attitudes
Steps to overcoming denominationalism and working towards church unity can be taken when denominations learn to deal with their attitudes towards one another. Pride, contentiousness, envy, harshness, xenophobia, immaturity, anger, ambition, and party spirit are attitudes that hinder unity.
The One, True Church
Starting from the conviction that the church in both the New Testament and Old Testament is one church, this article draws the beginning of the church from Adam and Eve to the New Testament church. From the beginning God intended to build one united church, and the division of the two kingdoms and the exile shows that sin separates God's people.
The Lord’s Supper in Christian Experience
The Church (Part 4)
This article looking at Ephesians 2:11-22 shows how in Christ God has made the church to be a uniting place. In Christ, the church has become the Israel of God, a people of God not limited by race, colour nor place. Racism can truly be abolished by the gospel, ushering in the new nation where unity and diversity can be celebrated.
Walking Together
Looking at John 17, this article shows how the unity of the Trinity should serve as an example for Christian unity. Christians should reflect this unity by glorifying, serving, and loving one another.
Living in Communion with the Saints: What Must I Do?
Christian Unity: An Encouraging Example
Keeping the Unity
On the Unity and Disunity of Churches
Is Infant Baptism Divisive?
On the Unity and Diversity of the Church
Common Cup or Separate Cups?
Colossians 1:27 – A Glorious Mystery Revealed to the Gentiles: Christ in You
Why a Federation of Churches?
The Biblical Answer to Racism
John Calvin on the Church
Marriage: A Good Thing
A Reformed Dream
In this article the author discusses a proposal for the unity of all reformed churches with the same confessional standards: Let all these churches unite in one general synod.