What did Jesus teach on unity?
Introduction. In thirty years of preaching I have never seen as many divergent views regarding unity as prevail today. It is good that we want to know what Jesus taught relative to religious unity (and disunity).
Jesus taught the possibility of unity and disunity. Jesus taught not only the possibility but the desirability of unity in His prayer to His Father (John 17). Hear Him: "that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us..." (John 17: 21). Jesus also stated one reason for His prayer for the unity of His people, "...that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me." Jesus taught the possibility of division among kingdoms, cities, and houses (a.k.a. families) per Matt. 12: 25. Jesus acknowledged the eventuality of division among those professing to be His people (Matt. 18: 15-17).
The meaning of unity and some things which prevent unity. Jesus often used the word "one" to identify unity (John 17: 11, 21). Jesus illustrated this oneness among His followers by the oneness or sameness which existed between Him and His Father (John 14: 10-11). Jesus demonstrated how the tradition and creeds of men prevent true unity (Matt. 15: 1-14). Jesus could not be one with these "brethren" because they insisted on their own beliefs to the exclusion of God's pure teaching (cf. Mk. 7).
Jesus' teaching on how unity is affected. As you consider Jesus' prayer in which He so frequently mentioned unity, notice how many times He mentions the word and the importance He assigns to the word (John 17: 6-8, 13-14, 17, 20-21). If all religious people believe and practice the same things found in the same book, the Bible, they will automatically be united, belonging to the same church and having the same goals (cf. Eph. 4: 3-6; 1 Cor. 1: 10-13).
Jesus taught the possibility of unity and disunity. Jesus taught not only the possibility but the desirability of unity in His prayer to His Father (John 17). Hear Him: "that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us..." (John 17: 21). Jesus also stated one reason for His prayer for the unity of His people, "...that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me." Jesus taught the possibility of division among kingdoms, cities, and houses (a.k.a. families) per Matt. 12: 25. Jesus acknowledged the eventuality of division among those professing to be His people (Matt. 18: 15-17).
The meaning of unity and some things which prevent unity. Jesus often used the word "one" to identify unity (John 17: 11, 21). Jesus illustrated this oneness among His followers by the oneness or sameness which existed between Him and His Father (John 14: 10-11). Jesus demonstrated how the tradition and creeds of men prevent true unity (Matt. 15: 1-14). Jesus could not be one with these "brethren" because they insisted on their own beliefs to the exclusion of God's pure teaching (cf. Mk. 7).
Jesus' teaching on how unity is affected. As you consider Jesus' prayer in which He so frequently mentioned unity, notice how many times He mentions the word and the importance He assigns to the word (John 17: 6-8, 13-14, 17, 20-21). If all religious people believe and practice the same things found in the same book, the Bible, they will automatically be united, belonging to the same church and having the same goals (cf. Eph. 4: 3-6; 1 Cor. 1: 10-13).