For thousands of years, holding to traditional Christian doctrines has not unified the church. Instead, there are tens of thousands of Christian denominations worldwide, most of which draw lines in the sand and separate over theological or doctrinal issues.
One study by Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary estimates there are 40,000 different denominations of Christians worldwide. In 1 Corinthians 1:13, Paul asks, “Is Christ divided?” The simple answer is no, however his body seems to be.
Focus on Christ
The purpose for the church is to be united so the Lord Jesus can lead it to do the works and ministry he did while present on earth. Christ was raised from the dead, ascended to the right hand of God and made a quickening spirit in order to direct the church.
In Ephesians 4, Paul encouraged the church to be established on the fact that Christ has been raised from the dead.The resurrection is the gospel, the good news, Jesus proclaimed. This is important for two reasons: First, if Christ is raised from the dead he is alive today and can direct the church as head of the body. Second, it proves the resurrection is a living and true hope for those who follow Christ.
Ephesians 4:7-8 (NASB)
(7) But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
(8) Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high, he led captive a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”
Captives are those who are held in submission to death and sin. The fear of death alone can result in sin in our lives. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead shattered this mentality because when Christ ascended, he led those who follow him out of captivity to sin and death. Hebrews 9:27 says everyone still faces death, however, the reality of the resurrection places us under a new domain, no longer captive to death and sin.
Ephesians 4:9-10 (NASB)
(9) (Now the expression, “he ascended,” what does it mean except that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth?
(10) He who descended is himself also he who ascended far above all the heavens so that he might fill all things.)
These verses give more of the context. Before Christ ascended, he also descended: In other words Christ lived, faced real death and was in the grave three days and nights before he was raised from the dead. Christ went through death, was resurrected and now lives above the influence and fear of death. Because of this, he has the ability to guide and instruct us in all things pertaining to life and death, holding fast to the hope of being resurrected from the dead.
The foundation
Paul placed the foundation for the church on following the example of Jesus Christ and the hope of resurrection from the dead.
Ephesians 4:11-13 (NASB)
(11) And he gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,
(12) for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;
(13) until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
The gifts given to men when Christ ascended (in verse eight) are to serve the body and build it up “until we all attain unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God.” This is the goal the church strives toward.
Notice in verse 13, unity for the church is based on the faith and knowledge of the Son of God. The faith of the Son of God is the faith Jesus authored and finished mentioned in Hebrews 12:2. Jesus lived his life according to his trust in God, which culminated with believing God would raise him from the dead. The knowledge of the Son of God is the fact that it is possible to know Jesus personally and he is leading others to follow the example he lived.
Resurrection is the rock Christ said he would establish his church on, which the gates of hell would not prevail against in Matthew 16:18. This is unique in that no other has trumped the grave beside Jesus Christ.
The pinnacle for the church is to attain to the fullness of Christ, the example of a mature man. The fullness of Christ is everything about who Jesus is; from his death and resurrection, to his life and character, and to the things he taught and the example of how he lived.
Out with divisiveness
Ephesians 4:14-16 (NASB)
(14) As a result, (or when we do these things) we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness and deceitful scheming;
(15) but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into him who is the head, even Christ,
(16) from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
As a body, we focus on Christ and stand together on conforming to our Lord’s life, death and resurrection. When we do that, we will no longer be “tossed here and there” by distracting and divisive doctrines. This is why the church is to be established on the fact that Christ has been raise from the dead and is Lord over the church. If the church cannot agree on those two things, there is no point left to make about following Jesus Christ. This is why Christianity is different than all other religions.
“Speaking the truth in love we are to grow up” to become like Jesus Christ in all aspects. Unity can only occur over truths that are effective for following the example the Lord lived and taught. Christ, as head of the church — his body of believers — is the one who leads, guides and directs the body.
Staying united
Colossians 3:12-15 (NIV)
(12) Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
(13) Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
(14) And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
(15) Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Traits like love, compassion, humility and forgiveness are the only way to treat others if the goal is to stay unified. Being peaceful and thankful helps prevent members of the church from tearing one another down. Most important, love binds all these together because it keeps your heart in the right place because love cannot be easily faked.
If the church teaches its members to put on these traits, it’s hard to be divisive about it. As children of God, we know what love looks like. Love is not stealing from your neighbor, and if anyone tells you they are the most humble person on earth, it’s unlikely you’ll believe them.
Colossians 3:16-17 (NIV)
(16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
(17) And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
The words of Christ are the things he taught that we have record of in the gospels, in addition to what he teaches us now. When you study what Jesus taught in the gospels, you’ll find it had a lot to do with how you treat others. Members of the church are to teach and admonish one another with the things Jesus taught.
As the body of Christ, staying united on what’s important is the only way to not be divisive. The purpose for coming together as a body of believers is to be led by the Lord and to enable all parts of his body to be the physical presence of our Jesus Christ to do works of service, healing, miracles, wonders and signs.
The foundational doctrines of the church are to trust in God, believing he will have our backs no matter what’s ahead, and to love God and one another as the Lord Jesus loved and taught us.
