One, Just as We are One
Introduction. One of the final things Jesus did before entering Gethsemane was pray with His disciples. He prayed for Himself (Jn. 17:1-5), His apostles (17:6-19), and all future disciples: “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word.” (17:20-23). Consider the significance and implications. This was Jesus’ fervent prayer to God concerning a future danger facing each disciple and the damage this danger would cause if they fell into it. Every disciple today must face this, for we all “believe in Him through their word.”
The danger Jesus warned against is Satan’s attempt to divide. He knows that division hinders the truth that God sent Jesus into the world. Jesus pleaded with God that His disciples “all may be one.” Jesus knew that all disciples must be united in fellowship with God, Himself, and one another. Because this was so critical, He repeated it with different words: “that they may be one just as We are one.” The unity of purpose based on truth in heaven must also exist on earth. Only when all disciples are so united can “they be made perfect in one:”
After reading this through a few times, it becomes obvious Jesus was deeply concerned about the ability and desire of His disciples to work together. It would require that everyone set aside their own beliefs and become united. Since the Holy Spirit guided them into “all truth” this should be easy. Yet Paul reproved disciples in Corinth for exactly this problem. They were no longer united with other disciples. More importantly they were no longer united with God or His Christ. Paul warned these disciples, especially those thinking they were inspired prophets or spiritually mature disciples: “If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. (1Cor. 14:37).
This is what it means to “believe in me through their word.” All true disciples must accept all Scriptures in the New Testament as “the commands of the Lord.” Without this conviction, disciples can never be united (Mt. 28:18-20). None of Paul’s words, regardless of how out of step they might be with our culture can be set aside. They are the basis of unity between heaven (God and Jesus), all previous generations of disciples, and all living disciples today. Each disciple must be willing to set aside culture, traditions, and dogma. Only the words found in the NT are the absolute standard.
Jesus knew that division would call into question the ability of His apostles to clearly reveal His word. If we proclaim that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (God breathed), yet disagree with something Paul or Peter wrote, this is a serious contradiction that becomes a fatal flaw! How can the world believe God sent Jesus, Jesus sent the apostles, and the apostles were guided into all truth by the Holy Spirit, if those who call themselves disciples can’t agree on what they wrote? If disciples can’t agree, then one of two conclusions must be drawn. Either:
The foreknowledge of Jesus is clearly evident as we look at “disciples” today. Even with His prayer and plea that division is a grave danger to His work, those who call themselves disciples have divided: Catholics and Protestants, denominations and sects, thousands upon thousands of divisions today. While they all claim to “believe on Him through their word,” these “disciples” can’t agree. They debate and reject many different commands in the “inspired” and “God breathed” Scriptures. There are multitudes of answers to: “what must I do to be saved?” Why don’t “disciples” agree on this answer? Was Jesus not clear enough? Is Jesus not the Son of God? Or, are these not His disciples? While “genuine worshipers must worship in spirit and truth,” many disciples, as Pilate so long ago, proclaim: “What is truth?” The name of the church, the work she was given to do, and the conduct of her members are subject to great debate and division. Even when the Scriptures plainly call something a sin, few will agree or become willing to submit to it.
Worse, few even care! There are few attempts to restudy Scriptures and find absolute truth. Are disciples really willing to concede that the Holy Spirit failed to write a book clear enough for us to understand? That was the very thing Jesus said the world would conclude, yet few are concerned. Yet truth stands! Either (1) those so divided are not disciples, or (2) Jesus is not the Son of God!
Jesus already knew that despite all His efforts and warnings His “disciples” would stray so far they would even obscure the gate leading to heaven! There would be so many paths and gates that confusion would reign: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Mt. 7:13-14; 21-23). What a sad and terrible prophesy! Hence, the terrible choice: (1) Jesus was a false prophet and not the Son of God or (2) those creating different gates and paths today not His disciples.
What Jesus prayed against is now our present reality! Jesus prayed all disciples would be one, yet division reigns. He knew that if they were not one, many would conclude God did not send Him, and that is exactly what has happened. He warned that the gate would become wider and the path broader if disciples did not remain united and that too is exactly what has happened. Does any thoughtful person think that those calling Jesus Lord today, fully content with all this division, are really doing the Father’s Will? Yet though Jesus warning should strike fear into their hearts, still so few are moved to action. “Many” of those who call “Jesus Lord, Lord,” will hear: “I never knew you, depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” Yet they remain unmoved. (Mt. 7:21-23).
Paul’s words to those divided in a similar way in Corinth ring loud and true today: “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1Cor. 1:10-13). If everyone would heed His words and unite on the Scriptures that “can’t be broken,” there would unity. If everyone would agree with truth as revealed in Scripture and then banish all human wisdom and tradition, we would all speak the same thing and there would be no divisions among His disciples. At the root of every division are those who, in rebellion against Scripture, mask themselves as true disciples.
The problem is not in the Scriptures. If we truly believe Jesus is the Son of God, then we know that all Scripture is still inspired, word by word and thought by thought, exactly as revealed from heaven, abiding forever as absolute truth (1Cor. 2:9-13; Jn. 17:17). The problem is not in reading the Scriptures. They were “made known” “by revelation,” and “when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ.” (Eph. 3:3-4). The Scriptures can be understood. That is not the reason for division. As was prophesied, the reason for today’s divisions is a lack of love for the truth (2Th. 2:9-12). Only those disciples who are “untaught and unstable” will “twist the scriptures” “to their own destruction.” (2Pet. 3:16).
Conclusion. The very thing Jesus prayed against, and Paul condemned in the disciples in Corinth, is the norm today: “there are contentions among you,” “each of you says, ‘I am of Paul,’ or ‘I am of Apollos,’ or ‘I am of Cephas,’ or ‘I am of Christ. Is Christ divided?’” (1Cor. 1:10-13). The truth is: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Eph. 4:3-6). Will we become and remain like the noble Bereans, who “searched the Scriptures daily,” or will we allow ourselves to become those with “itching ears who have turned away from the truth to follow fables?” (Acts 17:11; 2Tim 4:1-5). Jesus prayed His true disciples would choose the former.
The danger Jesus warned against is Satan’s attempt to divide. He knows that division hinders the truth that God sent Jesus into the world. Jesus pleaded with God that His disciples “all may be one.” Jesus knew that all disciples must be united in fellowship with God, Himself, and one another. Because this was so critical, He repeated it with different words: “that they may be one just as We are one.” The unity of purpose based on truth in heaven must also exist on earth. Only when all disciples are so united can “they be made perfect in one:”
- “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” (Jn. 17:20-23).
After reading this through a few times, it becomes obvious Jesus was deeply concerned about the ability and desire of His disciples to work together. It would require that everyone set aside their own beliefs and become united. Since the Holy Spirit guided them into “all truth” this should be easy. Yet Paul reproved disciples in Corinth for exactly this problem. They were no longer united with other disciples. More importantly they were no longer united with God or His Christ. Paul warned these disciples, especially those thinking they were inspired prophets or spiritually mature disciples: “If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. (1Cor. 14:37).
This is what it means to “believe in me through their word.” All true disciples must accept all Scriptures in the New Testament as “the commands of the Lord.” Without this conviction, disciples can never be united (Mt. 28:18-20). None of Paul’s words, regardless of how out of step they might be with our culture can be set aside. They are the basis of unity between heaven (God and Jesus), all previous generations of disciples, and all living disciples today. Each disciple must be willing to set aside culture, traditions, and dogma. Only the words found in the NT are the absolute standard.
Jesus knew that division would call into question the ability of His apostles to clearly reveal His word. If we proclaim that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (God breathed), yet disagree with something Paul or Peter wrote, this is a serious contradiction that becomes a fatal flaw! How can the world believe God sent Jesus, Jesus sent the apostles, and the apostles were guided into all truth by the Holy Spirit, if those who call themselves disciples can’t agree on what they wrote? If disciples can’t agree, then one of two conclusions must be drawn. Either:
- Those who don’t agree with all Scripture are not disciples or
- Jesus is not the Son of God!
The foreknowledge of Jesus is clearly evident as we look at “disciples” today. Even with His prayer and plea that division is a grave danger to His work, those who call themselves disciples have divided: Catholics and Protestants, denominations and sects, thousands upon thousands of divisions today. While they all claim to “believe on Him through their word,” these “disciples” can’t agree. They debate and reject many different commands in the “inspired” and “God breathed” Scriptures. There are multitudes of answers to: “what must I do to be saved?” Why don’t “disciples” agree on this answer? Was Jesus not clear enough? Is Jesus not the Son of God? Or, are these not His disciples? While “genuine worshipers must worship in spirit and truth,” many disciples, as Pilate so long ago, proclaim: “What is truth?” The name of the church, the work she was given to do, and the conduct of her members are subject to great debate and division. Even when the Scriptures plainly call something a sin, few will agree or become willing to submit to it.
Worse, few even care! There are few attempts to restudy Scriptures and find absolute truth. Are disciples really willing to concede that the Holy Spirit failed to write a book clear enough for us to understand? That was the very thing Jesus said the world would conclude, yet few are concerned. Yet truth stands! Either (1) those so divided are not disciples, or (2) Jesus is not the Son of God!
Jesus already knew that despite all His efforts and warnings His “disciples” would stray so far they would even obscure the gate leading to heaven! There would be so many paths and gates that confusion would reign: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Mt. 7:13-14; 21-23). What a sad and terrible prophesy! Hence, the terrible choice: (1) Jesus was a false prophet and not the Son of God or (2) those creating different gates and paths today not His disciples.
What Jesus prayed against is now our present reality! Jesus prayed all disciples would be one, yet division reigns. He knew that if they were not one, many would conclude God did not send Him, and that is exactly what has happened. He warned that the gate would become wider and the path broader if disciples did not remain united and that too is exactly what has happened. Does any thoughtful person think that those calling Jesus Lord today, fully content with all this division, are really doing the Father’s Will? Yet though Jesus warning should strike fear into their hearts, still so few are moved to action. “Many” of those who call “Jesus Lord, Lord,” will hear: “I never knew you, depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” Yet they remain unmoved. (Mt. 7:21-23).
Paul’s words to those divided in a similar way in Corinth ring loud and true today: “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1Cor. 1:10-13). If everyone would heed His words and unite on the Scriptures that “can’t be broken,” there would unity. If everyone would agree with truth as revealed in Scripture and then banish all human wisdom and tradition, we would all speak the same thing and there would be no divisions among His disciples. At the root of every division are those who, in rebellion against Scripture, mask themselves as true disciples.
The problem is not in the Scriptures. If we truly believe Jesus is the Son of God, then we know that all Scripture is still inspired, word by word and thought by thought, exactly as revealed from heaven, abiding forever as absolute truth (1Cor. 2:9-13; Jn. 17:17). The problem is not in reading the Scriptures. They were “made known” “by revelation,” and “when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ.” (Eph. 3:3-4). The Scriptures can be understood. That is not the reason for division. As was prophesied, the reason for today’s divisions is a lack of love for the truth (2Th. 2:9-12). Only those disciples who are “untaught and unstable” will “twist the scriptures” “to their own destruction.” (2Pet. 3:16).
Conclusion. The very thing Jesus prayed against, and Paul condemned in the disciples in Corinth, is the norm today: “there are contentions among you,” “each of you says, ‘I am of Paul,’ or ‘I am of Apollos,’ or ‘I am of Cephas,’ or ‘I am of Christ. Is Christ divided?’” (1Cor. 1:10-13). The truth is: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Eph. 4:3-6). Will we become and remain like the noble Bereans, who “searched the Scriptures daily,” or will we allow ourselves to become those with “itching ears who have turned away from the truth to follow fables?” (Acts 17:11; 2Tim 4:1-5). Jesus prayed His true disciples would choose the former.