The southern news., 1945-11-24
CHRISTIANS WORKING TOGETH-
Err IN THE COMMUNITY

LESSON TEXT: John 17:2O-23; Acts
15:22-29
GOLDEN TEXT: We are laborers to-
gether with God.--I Corinthians 3:9.
Unity within the Church is Gods
plan and purpose, but that does not
mean that some man-made plans
for unity are either scriptural or de-
sirable. There is much pressure be-
ing exerted now to unite the Church
on the basis of vast ecclesiastical
organization, quite apart from any
doctrinal or spiritual unity.
Such unity was not in our Lord s
mind. He wants spiritual unity, and
in such fellowship the Church will
find its only real bond Of united life
and action.
l. Unity in Spirit John 17:20-23). b.
Here we enter the veritable holy
of holies of Scripture Facing the
time of His departure and death, the
Lord prayed for those who believed,
or would believe ". 20) on Him.
What was His prayer? That they
should be one with the Father. with
Him, and with one another. This
had to be accomplished while they
remained in this wicked world (see
John 17:13-16). How? By the
cleansing and sanctifying work Of
the truth.
The Word of God-the Bible-is
the instrument used by the Holy
Spirit in this work of sanctifcation.
Small wonder that there is little
holiness and spiritual unity when the
Word has so little opportunity to
touch and to cleanse. Reader, do you
study Gods Word?
Such separation to God will result
in real spiritual unity between those
of all denominations and creeds. 1t
is not some artificial thing to be put
on from the outside. 1t comes from
the heart of man and reaches out
into his life and into the lives of 9TH
ers.
ii. Unity in Action (Acts 15:22-2D i.
Satan tried to thwart the mission
airy efforts of the Church at the very
outset by starting a doctrinal con-
troversy.
Although the first council at Jeru-
salem (Acts I'D had decided that "to
the Gentiles also hath God granted
repentance unto life," the question
did not stay settled, for there were
persistent Judaizing teachers who
now contended that even though the
Gentiles could be saved, they had
to come into the church by way Of
Judaism and first fulfill the Jewish
rite of circumcision.
The story of how this vital and fun.
damental question came up is found
in the early verses of Acts Is. The
entire future of the gospel ministry
was in a sense dependent on the so.
luton Of this problem. Christianity
Is the only religious faith in the
world that presents justification by
grace as the way Of redemption; al
others follow (more or less) the path
Of salvation by works.
The question now was: Shall
works Of the law be mingled with
grace? Can Jesus Christ alone save
men, or is salvation through Jesu:
Christ plus something else?
How was such serious question
to be settled? Should argument anc
strife be permitted to 60 on unit
the stronger party prevailed? Bet
ter judgment indicated the desira
bility Of a Christian method Of set
tlement.
The final decision of the council il
sent not only by Paul and Barnabas
but also by a committee from Jeru
salem. a gracious gesture of fellow
ship.
AS matter of record "a wise pro
cedure in such a case). a letter wa
sent which, after addressing tn
Gentiles as brethren" reviewet
the history of the matter and then
without mentioning circumcision a
all, put upon the Gentiles mo great
er burden than the necessar.
things" And what were those
Those things which relate to purit
of life as those who were enjoyin
Christian liberty. The law of Nose
need not be kept as a ground of sal
walton. They were saved by grace
But grace can never be the cloa
of careless living, nor can ibert
In Christ be interpreted as icens
to live in sin. We are set free i
Christ, not that we may sin. but ths
we may "go and sin no more"
III. Unity in Doctrine (Acts Is
%, 29).
In non-essentials we should excl
else toward other believers tn
greatest love and consideration. Me
have a right to differences Of opil
ion, and must follow the dictates {
their own consciences. Let US not b
betrayed into controversy on sue
matters.
There are certain foundation do'
trines which must be held II
church is to be Christian; concerl
ing these we stand together. The1
Is a faith for which we are to ca
nestly contend dude 81. We al
never, even on the grounds Of SUI
posed courtesy. to give aid and con