The Pentecost that shook Jerusalem

[stmatthew]

Originally Posted by OneAccord

There is no unity outside of truth. Unity that is based on anything but truth is... denominationalism and ecumenalism. They require a departure from truth rather than a movement toward truth. But, and this is important to understanding unity, that doesn't necessarily mean we will always believe everything exactly alike, nor will we all say the same thing. Oh, I know, 1 Cor tells us "that you all speak the same thing..." but a close look at those passages show that the basic message of the church has to be centered on one thing. "The preaching of the Cross..." We talk here of the "root" and getting back to "the Apostles Doctrine". It all stems from the Cross. The central message of the Apostles Doctrine isn't baptism or Godhead, it was the Cross. Baptism and Godhead are importnat, but they should not be our Central Message. That should be Jesus and His sacrifice to purchase our salvation.

Look at history. Azusa Street happened because of UNITY. The UPC came into being, because of UNITY. Every move of God is based on a unified spirit. Without it we are but a "form of godliness" preaching a message that will win few, if any, to the Lord. Until we begin exploring what Jesus meant when He spoke of our being ONE, the world will continue to ignore us as a bunch of people who can't get along among themselves. Thats what Jesus said: Jhn 17:21 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.

But, its obvious.... there is little to no, interest in UNITY, even though it is the very hallmark of God's true church.

Again, I know I am going against the tide, but UNITY is the "fruit". The problem is in the "root". When we get the "root" right, the fruit will grow and mature naturally.