Unity in Diversity
Foreword

Remember, don't take my word for it, study the scriptures that I cite.  Dig deeper in God's Word.

The Plea for Unity

Our Lord prayed for the men that he had called to be his apostles, asking that they be united.

John 17:20, 21
"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."

This was a tall order considering that, up to this point, they were divided over who was going to be preeminent among them (read Matthew 18:1-4; 20:20-24; Luke 9:46-48). Even at their last supper with our Lord, none would humble themselves to wash the others' feet. None even washed the Lord's feet. Then Jesus taught a great lesson of humility by washing their feet (John 13:3-17). The twelve (-Judas+Mathias) did get their act together, and together they opened the doors to the kingdom on the day of Pentecost. That day would find three thousand souls added to the church and united in the doctrine of Jesus Christ (Acts Chapter 2). Notice that the Lord's prayer was not only for his apostles, but also for all believers. Paul would plead for unity among the Gentile Churches (read Philippians 1:27; I Corinthians 1:9,10 and Ephesians 4:1-3). United, one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one Baptism, and with one God and Father
(Ephesians 4:4-6). They had their problems, divisions, false teachers, and falling away, and they left their first love, just like us today. Because, after all, they were just like us. The plea for unity was renewed during the Restoration Movement, unity in one doctrine, and that doctrine none other than the scriptures. There are those today that plead for unity, but they preach "unity in diversity", fellowship regardless of what doctrine is taught as long as there is a belief in Jesus Christ. Their claim is that doctrine is not a "test of fellowship", only the belief in Jesus being the Christ, The Son of God. What do the scriptures say about "unity in diversity"? What is the "test of fellowship" according to the scriptures?

Unity in Diversity in the Church in the Scriptures

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