church unity | Christian Library

Spiritual Oneness

Did Christ pray for church unity when He was praying in John 17:20-21? Which unity was He Praying for? This article answers these questions by looking at who Christ prayed for and what is the nature of the oneness He was praying for.

Unity and Love in the Church

God’s church should be characterised by unity and love. How does the church achieve that? From Philippians 2:1-5 this article explains the basis for achieving church unity and love.

How to Move Forward with International Inter-Church Relations

How can churches relate together and have unity based on the confessions? This article proposes the adoption of Three Forms of Unity as the basis for church unity. Here focus is given to the issue of the expressions of different cultures and traditions and adhering to similar confessions.

Attempts at Worldwide Ecclesiastical Relations

Church unity should not only be limited to the local churches or even churches nationally. There must be a way of getting the churches to express this unity at an international level. How? This article examines some of the ways for international inter-relations within the churches.

The Problem of Unity in the Church

Church unity requires you to relinquish your personal preferences. This article mentions four preferences that may hinder unity among believers.

The Organic Unity of the Church

Church unity is something organic. It is found in Christ who unites members of the body so that they together live one life. The organic unity of the church is a result of God’s work, manifested in the local church.

A Vision of Unity – Christian Unity in the Fourth Gospel

This article studies the Gospel of John on the theme of unity. It first considers the source of that unity and then its nature. Next, it considers the purpose of that unity. Finally it reflects on John's contribution towards current discussions concerning church unity.

The Authority of Scripture and Apostolic Doctrine in Ignatius of Antioch

How did Ignatius of Antioch make use of Scripture, church tradition, and apostolic tradition to promote church unity and refute heresy?

A Prayer for Church Unity

This article on John 17:22-23 discusses church unity as God-centred unity, cross-centred unity, holiness-centred unity, and mission-centred unity.

The Unity of the Church in a European Context

Giving a perspective from church history on what it means to be Reformed and the implication this has for church unity, this article shows how different Reformed churches can find a way of expressing this unity in their context.

The Value of the Creed Today for the Church Today

The theological nature of the Christian faith makes creeds foundational to the Christian faith. The church must express her faith. Hence, creeds are needed for the shaping of theological thought and practice of the church. For church unity, fighting heresy, church liturgy, and the teaching ministry of the church, creeds play a role.

John 17:21 - "That They Might Be One"

In John 17:21, Christ prays for unity in His bride, the church. Why is this church unity important, and how is it achieved?

The Idea of a Federation

Is a church federation the only way in which churches can show their unity? Looking at the unity of God's people from the Old and New Testament, this article shows that God's people are called to be one. The author traces this expression of church unity through the Reformation, showing that there is a way of acknowledging each other while embracing diversity. There can be "federation of federations".

The Westminster Confession of Faith and Church Unity (2)

The Westminster Confession of Faith was meant to further the unity of the church. These two articles look at the context of this confession and the leaders who participated in drafting it. The author also discusses church unity, which is found in the preaching of the gospel, the administered ordinances, and the performance of public worship.

The Westminster Confession of Faith and Church Unity (1)

Unity in Diversity: The Ecumenical Spirit of the Great Synod

In striving against the Remonstrants - the heirs of Arminian heresy - the synod that met in Dordrecht in 1618/19 was fighting for church unity. False doctrine divides the church. The synod understood that church unity can only be attained on the basis of the truth. This truth must be embraced and confessed by the true church.

Evangelical Reunion: Dealing With Our Attitudes

Steps to overcoming denominationalism and working towards church unity can be taken when denominations learn to deal with their attitudes towards one another. Pride, contentiousness, envy, harshness, xenophobia, immaturity, anger, ambition, and party spirit are attitudes that hinder unity.

Do We Need Ministers?

This article is about church unity, and the place ministers have when there are differences in the church. The place of peace and truth in church unity is discussed, as well as the ministers attitude towards doctrine and truth.

Eschatology: Wrongly Dividing the Church of God

This article is on the last things and church unity; the differences and similarities in our view of the end times and millennialism.

Psalm 133 - When Brothers Dwell in Unity

This article on Psalm 133 is about church unity as a gift of God.

Catholics and Evangelicals Together

This article is about the statement of Faith Catholics and Evangelicals Together. Church unity between Roman Catholics and Protestants is discussed, as well as justification and what the Reformation meant with Christ alone.

How Ecumenical Should We Be?

This article discusses sectarianism, ecumenism, and church unity.

The Church: Union and Communion

This article on Article 27 of the Belgic Confession discusses the church as a faith article, the church and true believers, the fellowship of the believers, church unity and unity in Christ, and the universal of catholic church and the relation to the local church.

The Communion Protected

This article on Article 28 of the Belgic Confession is about church unity and the call to separation from the church.

Invitation to Fellowship

This article is about our task to seek church unity. Why is the unity in truth possible? Because of the call of the Father, the body of Christ and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

True Church Unity

This article is about church unity, and looks particularly at Psalm 133 for instruction on the matter.

Ecumenism and the Reformation

This article first look at the modern ecumenical movement and false church unity, and then looks at true catholicity and true church unity.

Ministries of Reconciliation

This article is about reconciliation and the ministry of the church in reconciliation. The author discusses the peace that God has worked, and the task of the church to plead for reconciliation with God. Church unity and peace and harmony in the church is also discussed.

Unity in Diversity

This article looks at unity in faith and church unity despite different confessions.

Ephesians 2:19 - Of Siblings and Separations: God’s Household

This article on Ephesians 2:19 is about church unity and separation in the church.

Unity

This article is about church unity and life in the church.

The Reticent Reformer: Model or Misguide?

This article is about Philip Melanchthon's view on the church unity. Melanchthon's contact with other believers, with Rome, and with the Reformers Bucer, Zwingli and Calvin is discussed in this article.

Confession and Church Unity

This article is about church unity and Article 29 BC.

Church Unity and the Lord’s Table

This article is about church unity and the Lord's Table / Lord's Supper. Church unity and different church federations is also discussed, as well as John 17:21.

Unity and Discipline in Christ's Church

This article discusses the work of the Holy Spirit in the church with regards to church unity, church unity and love and truth, and discipline and church unity. The author also looks at schisms.

Calvin and The Church

What was John Calvin's view of the church? This article looks at Calvin's view of church unity, tolerance in the church, and church unity and truth.

Confessing the Reformed faith: Our Identity in Unity and Diversity

This article is about confessions and church unity. Multi-confessional standards, the purpose of confessions, creeds and liturgy, and the use of confessions in defending the faith are all discussed in this article. Non-confessional churches are also mentioned by the author.