TOPIC 30 OF 47
The Unity of the Church
One body in Christ, called to live and confess its unity.
THE MAIN TRUTH
There is one, holy, universal, and apostolic Church.
The teaching
From the book · pages 91–93
There is one, holy, universal, and apostolic Church. All baptized believers in Christ are united to his body among every nation on earth and in heaven. There is one Lord, one faith, one Baptism, one Spirit, one body, and one Father.
The unity of Christ’s Church is a spiritual reality that we believe, even though the visible Church is divided by sin, conflict, and differing doctrines. This spiritual unity is given by the Spirit through the apostolic truth of the Gospel and the Sacraments, which create in our hearts the faith that unites us to Christ and his Church. For this reason, the Lord Jesus commands us through the apostles to guard the outward unity of the Church by confessing together, in agreement, the pure teaching of the Gospel and the doctrines of the faith based on Holy Scripture.
It is not necessary to agree on matters of church ritual, tradition, or order that Scripture does not command. We love and respect one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. But we must reject any false teaching that compromises the Gospel or the truth of God’s Word. God’s Word alone unites us in faith.
Scripture foundations
All Scripture excerpts from this topic are presented below in the book’s order. Ellipses and bracketed explanations follow the manuscript. Select a reference to read the surrounding passage in the EHV.
Reading these passages together
These passages speak of unity both as God’s gift and as a calling to preserve. Shared truth, patient love, and freedom in matters not commanded by Scripture belong together.
12 Scripture excerpt groups
SCRIPTURE 01
John 10:14,16 ↗
“I am the Good Shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me . . . there will be one flock and one shepherd.”
Book page 92
SCRIPTURE 02
Ephesians 1:23 ↗
“The church is [Christ’s] body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”
Book page 92
SCRIPTURE 03
1 Corinthians 1:2; 3:17 ↗
“To the church of God in Corinth—those who have been sanctified [‘made holy’] in Christ Jesus, who are called as saints [‘holy ones’] —along with all in every place [universal] who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours . . .” “. . . God’s temple is holy . . . ”
Book page 92
SCRIPTURE 04
Ephesians 2:20 ↗
“You have been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the Cornerstone.”
Book page 92
SCRIPTURE 05
Ephesians 4:3-6 ↗
“Make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in the one hope of your calling. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all.”
Book page 92
SCRIPTURE 06
1 Peter 1:23; 2:5 ↗
“For you have been born again, not from perishable seed but from imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” “. . . you also, like living stones, are being built as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, in order to bring spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
Book page 92
SCRIPTURE 07
1 Corinthians 1:10-11,13 ↗
“Brothers, I am making an appeal to you using the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I ask that you all express the same view and not have any divisions among you, but that you be joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For the news I heard about you, my brothers, from members of Chloe’s household, is that there are rivalries among you . . . Is Christ divided?”
Book page 93
SCRIPTURE 08
Philippians 1:27; Jude 3 ↗
“. . . you are standing firm in one spirit, contending together with one soul for the faith of the Gospel . . .” “. . . contend for the faith. . .”
Book page 93
SCRIPTURE 09
Titus 1:7, 9 ↗
“Indeed, an overseer . . . must cling to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he will be able both to encourage people by the sound teaching and also to correct those who oppose him.”
Book page 93
SCRIPTURE 10
Romans 16:17 ↗
“But I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the teaching that you learned, and keep away from them.”
Book page 93
SCRIPTURE 11
Romans 14:1; John 13:34 ↗
“. . . do not pass judgment on things that are just a difference of opinion.” “Just as I have loved you, so . . . love one another.”
Book page 93
SCRIPTURE 12
John 17:17,21 ↗
[Jesus prayed:] “Sanctify them by the truth. Your word is truth . . . May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you.”
Book page 93
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture passages are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV), copyright 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission, as noted in the manuscript.
PERSONAL REFLECTION OR GROUP DISCUSSION
Reflect and pray
How is the Church’s unity already given in Christ?
Why do doctrinal truth and patient love both matter for visible unity?
How can we distinguish necessary agreement from differences in human customs?
A prayer
Lord Jesus, preserve your people in the truth of your Gospel. Heal our divisions, forgive our pride, and teach us to love one another faithfully. Amen.