Unity of Doctrine
Unity of Doctrine UNITY OF DOCTRINE
By Edgar Furr 1. Christian unity must have a doctrinal basis.
2. The seven fundamental unities (Ephesians 4:4-6). The portion of the panel discussion which has been assigned to me is “Unity of Doctrine.” The first suggested point is that Christian unity must have a doctrinal basis,. The word “basis” means foundation or ground-work. It would certainly be a foolish act to try to erect a building and begin by putting on the roof. We must begin with the groundwork by laying a foundation. Paul says, “for other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3 T:11). The doctrine of Christ is the only doctrine upon which we can unite and be of the same mind and of the same judgment. It is the only authentic religious doctrine that we have in the world. When Jesus had completed his sermon on the mount the multitudes said “He spake as one having authority and not as the scribes” (Matthew 7:29). The au thenticity of his teaching goes without question, the things which he has to say we can accept without question. There has never been division among God’s people until there has been a departure from his doctrine. Among such a group of Bible students I hardly think it expedient to refer to the numerous passages that teach and command unity among us, however I think it well that we call attention to Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 1:10, “Now I beseech you brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” It would be impossible for us to be of the same mind and judgment if we have been taught conflicting doctrines. The unity of spirit and action are the things which must be built upon this foundation of unity of doctrine. There is always the trying hour and if the foundation will not stand the test the entire structure will fall.
Why have there been brethren and even congregations that have been lost to us in times past? If the uncompromising straight-forward preaching had been maintained instead of tolerating the forcing of opinions and foolish notions upon congregations there would have been no split in congregations and no departures from the faith. It is a sad condition when elders of the church are forced to ask the preacher to preach in such a way that the people can understand our position upon the word of God. Brethren, in the serious task of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and in these perilous days of error there is no occasion for this sGft-pedaled, sweet-spirited, love making to denominationalism and tolerance of error, when Paul has laid down such charge as “mark them that are causing division and occasion of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned and turn away from them” (Romans 16:17). There is no need of making apology from turning away from certain brethren who have caused division among us, and caused entire congregations to become los,t to the simple doctrine of Christ. I think Rutherford is making a fair success in spreading the old Russellistic doctrine without the aid of any of our preacher brethren. Adam Clarke may have been a great man as well as many other commentators,, but we need less sermons giving the opinion of others and more sermons that give the doctrine of Christ and his apostles; and when such is the case the church will be indoctrinated until the foundation will be secure for the construction of other parts,. We must not allow the foundation of our unity to become weakened by innovations and false doctrines. In keeping with the following discussions and leading up to the same it has, been outlined to me to say a few words in regard to Ephesians 4:4-6, which gives the seven fundamental units—these we shall consider in their respective order.
First, One Body: I hardly think it necessary to say much relative to the one body as each Bible s.tudent knows this refers to the one church as is taught in many other passages of the Bible (Eph. 1:22*23; Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28; Colossians 1:13-14). To teach the contrary is only a com promise with error. If we are too weak-kneed and yellow-livered to tell those in denominational institutions they are lost and there is only one divine institution, namely, the church of Christ, I fear for us in the day of judgment.
One Spirit: God gave us the Spirit of truth (John 16:13) and not the spirit of error (1 John 4:6) the law of the Spirit is the law which the Spirit gives and Paul says, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has, made me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2).
One Hope: Hope consists of desire and expectation, we desire a reward for our service rendered here upon the earth and all who live godly in Christ Jesus expect it because he has promised it to the same.
One Lord: If you place two cups of water in the same container with all barriers removed you cannot keep them from becoming one. You cannot keep two individuals from becoming one in Christ when all barriers are removed. Christ came and broke down the middle wall of partition that we may be one in him and him Lord of all. Christ is our Lord and lawgiver, therefore we do not need anyone to lord it over us or any congregation.
One Faith: In Acts 6:7 : “A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith”—I like to think of the one faith as one system of doctrine, the faith for which Jude told us to “so earnestly contend for.” In these days of many systems of teaching many of our brethren have become tolerant because they feel that many are honest and sincere in their religion, thus they complain about plain, straight-forward preaching. I have made careful observation of these complainers and have found that those who object to positive, distinctive preaching are either ignorant of the Bible, love the world or are in sympathy with digression; therefore I disregard the complaints of the complainers.
Sixth, One Baptism: If there had been three or more it would have taken no more space or energy for Paul to have said so. We have all attended funerals and we know what a burial is and we all know what water is, therefore we know what constitutes the one baptism (Romans 6:1-6). When sufficient amount of truth has been taught there will not only be a conversion to the one baptism but the same individuals will know the difference between the one body and sectarian institutions, therefore there is no occasion for people to feel they are scripturally baptized and later learn they are in the wrong institution.
Seventh, One God: The Creator of heaven and earth, John says—“all that keep his commandments abide in him and he in him” (1 John 3:22-24). Unity among the children of God is secured and maintained by all maintaining unity with God. It requires, no negotiations or arrangements among men to unite them as one in Christ. I pray that we may all strive to keep the unity and the bonds of peace by all faithfully proclaiming the simple gospel of Jesus Christ.