The Lord’s words and the reality of church history.
In John 17, we see the high priestly prayer of the Lord Jesus Christ. Central to that prayer is the Lord’s request to the Father concerning Christian unity. We can be assured that the Father would not deny the request of the Son. Yet this passage must be considered in the context of two thousand years of wreckage. Since its inception, the church has been beset with strife, factions, denominationalism, and sectarianism. Even in the Apostolic era, division occurred (Acts 15:39; Php. 4:2; 3 Jn. 9). So how do we reconcile the prayer of the Son with the reality which the church is experiencing to this very day? The answer is simple: Positionally, Christian unity is an established fact, requested by the Son, granted by the Father, and enabled by the Spirit (Eph. 4:4,5). At the same time, in a practical way, Christian unity is denied by the actions of many Christians themselves.
Obstacles to unity
There are a number of obstacles to Christian unity. First, we must admit our own lack of understanding (1 Cor. 13:9, 12). It is beyond the scope of this present article to explore all the reasons why true Christians come to different interpretations of the Bible. Suffice to say at this point that true and earnest Christians do sometimes have differences of opinion with regards to some of the teachings of Scripture. Sometimes these differences are minor; at other times, these differences are more serious. This is made worse when the truth is pursued with a greater dogmatism than is warranted while ignoring the biblical teaching on humility.
But for all the ways in which unity can be affected through a differing interpretation of the Scriptures, the flesh is the greater danger. Human beings seem prone to having a party spirit about almost anything, and this attitude carries over into the church. One man holds to a theory of dubious veracity but makes the adoption of his views a test of personal loyalty. Family ties intrude into the debate. Small men would rather lead a faction in denial of Christian unity than admit even the possibility of being wrong. Perhaps an example of this is Euodia and Syntyche in Philippians 4:2, for Paul pleads with them to have oneness of mind without providing corrective teaching. Evidently, this was a personality conflict rather than a doctrinal conflict. So, through the flesh, the work of the devil proceeds.
Any unbiased examination of the history of the “Brethren Assemblies” will provide ample demonstration of these facts. Personality conflicts masquerade as doctrinal conflicts. Men study a matter over a period of years and then insist that everyone else immediately accept their position. Some take a point which is so subtle that the average saint is unable to understand the problem and use that to split a worldwide fellowship. What began in the full joy of recovered truth descended into a party spirit every bit as denominational as the denominations around them. Yes, the truths of the New Testament church are very precious, for they are precious to the Lord Jesus Himself; but they are not proof against the excesses of the flesh.
The teaching of John 17 is both complex and balanced. We must acknowledge that there are limits to Christian unity. The Lord’s prayer in John 17:11 includes the statement,?“that they may be one even as We are.” Our unity is based on truth rather than on falsehood. At the same time, John 17:23 says, “that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me.” A practical unity based on truth should not exclude the majority of the true Christians in the world, or we are denying the validity of the Christian faith. Even the unbelieving world has this figured out. When they see two factions who each claim to follow Christ fighting, they don’t side with one of the two factions; they choose neither faction and walk away from the hope of salvation.
Practical unity
So how do we balance a desire to hold to the truth with a desire to show unity among believers? The answer is easy in the stating but hard in the living: We show Christian unity by seeking whatever fellowship we are able. There are some believers with whom we have complete practical unity. On every matter, both large and small, we think alike. So we have real Christian unity with each other. But the challenge in this sort of situation is to have a unity centered in Christ and not just a unity in our common opinions.
There are others with whom we hold in common all essential truths. They may be in fellowship in our own local church or in another local church of like mind. While there are some differences on minor matters, we have happy fellowship. The key challenge here is to not let our differences become irritants between us. If we do not take steps to consciously safeguard these relationships, they will deteriorate. It seems we sometimes express the harshest opinions of those who are the closest to us in doctrine, but this must not be the case. We need to foster fellowship with each other, spend time with each other, and show hospitality between each other so that the relationship between us will grow.
There are also those whom we acknowledge to be Christians who think very differently than we do on major matters. They believe the gospel and their salvation is not in doubt, but we believe them to be in major doctrinal error. Can we still have fellowship? Can there still be a practical Christian unity between us?
Yes, there can be unity because Christ has established that unity. Maybe I cannot regularly attend their church, but can I visit it? Maybe we cannot break bread regularly, but can we do it occasionally if opportunity presents itself? It would be shameful to avoid breaking bread if I cannot find a church which is in complete agreement with my doctrine. Maybe we can’t in good conscience break bread with them, but can we at least listen to a sermon with them? Perhaps we can’t listen to their sermons, but can we at least cooperate in spreading the gospel? And if we cannot have any ecclesiastical unity with them, can we at least invite them to our homes to spend an evening talking about the goodness of our Lord? Here the challenge is to seek whatever practical expressions of unity are possible, without allowing ourselves to compromise in our fundamental beliefs.
Finally, and most controversially, can we have fellowship with those who call themselves Christians but who in all likelihood are not saved? Under some limited circumstances I would say yes. For example, I might work together with them in showing mercy to the poor or in fighting the horrors of abortion. In a strict sense, we cannot have Christian unity, for they are not saved. But if they profess the name of Christ, I cannot instantly cut them off completely.
No doubt there will be objections to the practical expressions of Christian unity discussed in this article. But the objections will probably come from both sides of the argument. Some will feel I have erred in not having enough fellowship with true Christians. Others will feel I have erred in not holding fervently to the truth. That’s fine. I accept both criticisms. Each person reading this article must seek his own balance. But above all else recognize that Christ has already accomplished Christian unity. It is an established fact. And to live in practical denial of this reality would be a shame.