The Unity of the Spirit

[Justin Mangonel]

It is written,

"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Ephesians 4:1-3​

Unity is something most people agree is a good thing. When we are unified we are strong. God says a three fold cord is not easily broken.​

Many believe that unity will come about through doctrinal agreement. They say that if everyone will simply let the Bible speak for itself then we will all begin to believe the same and we will have unity. However, this notion has proved itself to be false for even though there has been an explosion of Bible knowledge and freedom to teach it in the last few centuries we are more divided or dis-unified than ever before.​

So if the teaching method does not work to achieve unity what does?​

It is written,​

"And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common."

Acts 4:31,32​

I would submit to all those who truly are interested in being unified that this blessed state comes from a share spiritual experience of God. In other words, where the Spirit of the Lord is their is not only liberty but also unity.​

An experience cannot be taught it must be experienced. What happened in the New Testament Church was an outpouring of the Spirit of God upon a people who opened their minds and hearts to receive it. Since everyone had a shared experience they were all of one heart. Notice it is "one heart" and not "one mind" because everything of real importance in God's economy issues from our hearts. It is our hearts that need to become one and then our minds and our actions will surely follow.​

It was the Holy Spirit that brought unity in the first century church and caused them to be unified. The word of God that issued forth from that unity became the New Testament. I believe that God is about to do something even greater through the spiritual fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles. I believe that the share experience of Divine Love is going to unify His church to an even greater degree than the first Christians experienced.​

As we become one with God His love will become our love. When we become love as He is love this shared spiritual experience will cause us to be of one heart which will lead to being of one mind. This is when true unity will come to the body of Christ.​

Suggested music "Together We Will Stand" by Russ Taff​

 

[Rex]

Very nice
I'd be much more impressed If I knew you wrote it, but it's a step in the right direction

I particularly like this part
Notice it is "one heart" and not "one mind" because everything of real importance in God's economy issues from our hearts.

 

[Pelaides]

But what happened with Paul and Barnabbas,they fought ovar the law,and both men had the spirit.

 

[Justin Mangonel]

Hi Pelaides,

Obviously, that was not their finest hour. I do not believe that the church continued in the first experiences that happened when the Spirit was poured out. What I am talking about is a future event that I believe will bring about the perfected church talked about in the book of Ephesians.

 

[Rex]

Here's the rub Pelaides and Justin
Here comes the mind part

Romans 12:2-3
[sup]2 [/sup]And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
[sup]3 [/sup]For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

So by faith we have been saved threw grace, Faith is the first key. each has been given a measure of faith.
So how do you get MORE faith?

Romans 10
[sup]14 [/sup]How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? [sup]15 [/sup]And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,[sup][h][/sup]
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”[sup][i][/sup]
[sup]16 [/sup]But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?”[sup][j][/sup] [sup]17 [/sup]So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

It is clear, we simply don't go bumping around in the dark regurgitating out of our mouth every thing WE THINK in our own understanding
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The underlined is the next step, But they have not all obeyed the gospel.

Obedience after the step of faith and the renewing of your mind you are prepared for the works acceptable before the Lord.

The full armor of God
having girded your waist with truth having put on
the breastplate of righteousness, [sup]15 [/sup]and having shod your feet with the preparation of
the gospel of peace; [sup]16 [/sup]above all, taking the
shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. [sup]17 [/sup]And take
the helmet of salvation, and
the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

 

[martinlawrencescott]

Sadly, I think we, as a church will still argue, even over spiritual experience. A momentary unification can end up in antagonistic views based on how we each view our own experience. That is what I've seen in experience, and that is what I see in denominations. I see people who take "How" God should work and fitting that into a doctrine of how God should or shouldn't always work. I'm not strictly knocking denominations, but their usefulness is waning in light of our current needs as the church. I agree that our mental astuteness isn't enough, and that the spirit is our one identifier of true unity. However, I think we have proven fairly conclusively as a church our inability to identify who is or isn't a Christian based on what we believe. I've already put forth somewhere that I believe persecution is what will unite the church and draw us closer to God as one people. Adding to what Rex said, nothing better equips us or strengthens our faith than testing, and there is no greater test than persecution.

 

[Risen Angel]

Spiritual war will unite the people. There is no other option. When you have seen what I have... when you face it... you will unify. Until you step into the war there is no reason for you to stand together. Until that time you will stand on the sidelines of a game that you don't even realize is being played.

A single flame casts light.

Jesus Christ has come to give you light and life. He has called the chosen.

 

[Justin Mangonel]

well, angel, we may come together during persecution but it does not have to be that way.