Jesus prayed, “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. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one.” John 17:21-22. Jesus prayed for His disciples and those who would believe that He was the Son of God. Jesus prayed “that they may be one, even as We [Father and Son] are one.” Look around and ask yourself the question, Are we “ONE” like Jesus prayed? Today we find churches of all kinds. There is only ONE church!
Jesus said, “I will build MY [singular] church [singular]; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it [singular].” Matthew 16:18. When one obeys the Gospel, the “Lord added to the church [singular] daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:47. One does not join the church! It is the Lord who adds us and God the Father who “hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom [singular] of His dear Son.” Colossians 1:13. What does “ONE” mean? There is “one body,” Ephesians 4:4, and that “body” is the “church,” Ephesians 1:22-23. Jesus is the head of “the body” which is “the church.” Colossians 1:18. Today we have religion our way instead of Jesus’ Way! John 14:6. If you believe that Jesus is the Christ, you have a responsibility to answer the prayer of Jesus! Jesus said, “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” John 17:23. Jesus wants His disciples to be with Him as He was with the Father before the foundation of the world. John 17:24-26.
Division is a sin! Listen to what the Holy Spirit wrote, “For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.” 1 Corinthians 1:11-15. The church at Corinth was divided. Paul asked the question, “Is Christ divided?” The answer is obvious. NO! Those who wear the names of men are weak and immature. We are to follow Jesus and stay focused on Him. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life…” John 14:6.
The Holy Spirit said, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by 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 perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Corinthians 1:10. Paul called upon the authority [Name] of Jesus Christ to teach these folks. Agreement among the religious world based upon the authority of Jesus will solve the problem of religious division. Unity takes place when the religious world is mature and will accept the authority of Jesus Christ. Only the saved will be in heaven. Examples of those who were saved in the New Testament: Acts 2:14-42; 8:5-13; 8:30-39; 9:17-18, 22:6-16, 26:12-18; 10:34-48; 16:13-15; 16:25-34; 18:8; 19:1-7. One must hear, believe, repent, confess and be immersed according to these examples!