John 17: 17-22
17Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth.
18Just as You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
19And so for their sake and on their behalf I sanctify (dedicate, consecrate) Myself, that they also may be sanctified (dedicated, consecrated, made holy) in the Truth.
20Neither for these alone do I pray [it is not for their sake only that I make this request], but also for all those who will ever come to believe in (trust in, cling to, rely on) Me through their word and teaching,
21That they all may be one, [just] as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me.
22I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one [even] as We are one:
Jesus prayed for the unity of believers. Church labels may differ; faith expression vary; biblical interpretation be less than harmonious. But those born of God's Spirit are one in Christ and that oneness we are to recognize.
2007-10-20 05:09:14 · 18 answers · asked by ? 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Man oh Man it's great to be saved and to have that kind of guardianship over you.
It's also great to know this ain't our permenant home.
It's also great to know nothing is impossible unto him that believes.
It's great to know even though we are dumb as sheep, if we just believe and walk upright the things that world is seeking after he's going to add unto us.
2007-10-20 05:33:07 · answer #1 · answered by jj 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The 5 fold ministries & the gifts of the Spirit are given to the Church to edify the Church & to mature the Church in Christ. And to come into the unity of the faith.
So? That won't come to fulfillment until the Gospel of the Kingdom is preached in all nations. The Gospel Jesus Christ taught & is found in the Holy Bible. So? Why add or take away from this book? Too many Churches have. Either they add doctrines or take away from the gifts or ministries necessary for the Church to have victory in the level God wants His Church to have victory.
But Jesus said to let the tares grow with the wheat. And then at the time of harvest the Angels will gather the tares to burn. And then it seems there is more Angel activity right now. So? Are they gathering tares to burn right now? Us as Christians should bring to light the Truth of Gods Word by speaking Gods promises in faith. And be honest & say if something (a false doctrine) is contrary to Gods Word. The tares are the seeds sown of the devil. And there are tares in every Church. Some people are walking tares & saying this false doctrine & that false doctrine & denying the saving power of the cross & Jesus who suffered for them.
Yes, there is agreement & when we come together in one accord & worship in Spirit in praise & worship or in a prayer group, etc... " Where ever 2+ gather together in My Name, there I AM also.", said Jesus. One can discern the tares if they study the bible with the Holy Spirit who will let one know what is said is contrary to the Word of God.
One example of a tare in a Church that has the Word of God (Wheat) in it also. Is that when it is taught that they are the only Church denomination going to heaven. That they are the only denomination who has the Keys of Peter. Etc... They are the only denomination that one can find salvation in. This is the Church divided, & not the Church united. The Church united is all the Christians born of God who are in different denominations that are founded on the Rock, Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God. The people in a Church who isn't yet born of God, who claim the false doctrines in the Churches would be the tares. Though the tare is the false doctrine & not the person. Because the Christian can say the false doctrine because they believe that because it is taught in their Church & hasn't yet asked God if it is true or not.
And to the person under me, There are going to be a lot more than 7000 being raptured. It doesn't say that anywhere in the bible. It is written that those dead in Christ will raise up first, then those who are alive & waiting. Those dead in Christ are those soul/spirits in heaven who have died physically, will be raptured up in a new everlasting body first, before us who are alive & waiting are raptured. And in Revelation there are a countless in heaven dressed in white who were redeemed by the blood of the Lamb (Revelation).
2007-10-20 06:17:51 · answer #2 · answered by t a m i l 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am one with a person who is born again and that doesn't deny the Deity of Christ nor the resurrection nor the trinity nor the infallibly of Scripture.
But if a person who calls themselves a Christian says Jesus is not God AND he didn't resurrection AND you have to be baptized to receive the HS AND the bible is corrupt or not sufficient for all things pertaining to life and godliness AND you must speak in tongues to be a Christian......I am not in unity with that person.
The secondary issues like head coverings, church membership, or elder rule vs congregational rule even 4 or 5 point Calvinist .......I will not be dis-unified. BUT usually I fellowship with like-minded believers because the opportunity to fellowship outside the body I belong to is rare.
2007-10-20 10:38:39 · answer #3 · answered by K in Him 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Great!true believers are not many. i believe no more then 7000 persons will be raptured. i totally agree with you by the Holy Spirit we cant stay in the wrong way: labels , pastors, interpretations all that do not come from God!we have to do what God ask us to do in the Bible you must stay in the truth it is not possible to someone that is God s temple to do not do that.we are living in very hard times each day we ve been separated from the world , thats hard we against the world :16-i m from the world;;; the world hate us... i think because of the hard times we are living and rapture is at the door Jesus wants we started to be put toguether :
21That they all may be one, [just] as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me.
THE TRUE CHURCH JESUS BODY
SATAN WANTS PEOPLE THINK THAT THEY ARE SAVED THAT IS THE BEST HE CAN DO HIS EXPERT IN DO THAT
FALSE RELIGIONS,APOSTASY, PEOPLE THINKING THEY ARE SAVED AND THEY ARE NOT... BEWARE TAKE A LOOK IN THE WORLD WHO IS DOING WHAT JESUS ASKED? JESUS SAIDS WHEN I COME BACK WILL I FIND FAITH ON THE EARTH?I KNOW THE DEAD WILL BE RAPTURED FIRST ... THE DEAD ON CHRIST ALSO ARE NOT MANY ...I HAD A REVELATION ABOUT THAT AND CONSULTING THE BIBLE I SAW THE 7000 OF ELIJAH.JESUS ON THE EARTH HOW MANY CONVERTED THEIRSELVES?TIME TO REALLY CONVERT YOURSELF . READ ROMANS 10:9
And in Revelation there are a countless in heaven dressed in white who were redeemed by the blood of the Lamb (Revelation).
THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT WILL PASS BY GREAT TRIBULATION
2007-10-20 06:18:45 · answer #4 · answered by alex a 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
The good news is that there is a knowledge of where we do have that unity. It is fairly well defined, and the different denominations can celebrate certain things with each other. When it gets to the specifics, though, we have to be free to withdraw that hand of fellowship.
2007-10-20 05:32:26 · answer #5 · answered by ccrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Believers are members of one body, Jesus Christ. As with a human body, the arms serve a purpose, the legs another, and so forth. Each member of our fleshly body was created with a distinct purpose & function. We each fulfil a part of the body, Jesus Christ, to accomplish His will on earth. The only way we can accomplish His will is to be knit together in love serving the body who is Jesus Christ.
2007-10-20 05:46:02 · answer #6 · answered by Virginia B (John 16:33) 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Amen! God Is the path to Etaernal life through Christ Jesus!
2007-10-20 06:03:29 · answer #7 · answered by Semp-listic! 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes when we walk in the flesh we get caught up in our differences. But in the Spirit we ARE one! Have you ever been in a group of strangers and then bumped into a Christian? There's a spiritual connection not because of our same beliefs but because He is in us. It's a wonderful thing!
2007-10-20 05:39:14 · answer #8 · answered by Lover of Blue 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
He want us to be in One mind and one accord.
OUr spirit, mind and body is lined up with the word of God. So when you see true followers you can see that God lives within them, just by the way they act, their faith, their Love towards each other, Kindness, and everything Good that you find in God, you can see in them.
2007-10-20 05:13:35 · answer #9 · answered by Nikki 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Very true. That is what our world needs and I've said it before; if all bow to the Lord as one, our world would enter into a new era-a real heaven on earth. Someday we will have it, but I fear the road there is about to get harder. Christians need to be united and thanks for sharing with us. God Bless You.
2007-10-20 05:14:44 · answer #10 · answered by dawnUSA 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋