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Biblical Unity
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| "All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness" |
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Unity between Christian churches is a highly desirable state, the psalmist tells us in psalm 133 'how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity' and 'there the LORD commanded the blessing.' We do desire greatly both that unity and the blessing.
However the bible is also clear that two cannot walk together unless they are in agreement 2 Corinthians 6 and that biblical unity can only take place when those seeking it are also seeking to conform to God's will as revealed in the holy scriptures. This requires us to agree with and uphold certain key doctrines which cannot be mitigated nor negotiated. These doctrines may be summed up as the 'Five Solas' which would be classified as the fundamental truths of the gospel and were one of the precious fruits of the reformation and the blood of Christian martyrs.
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- Solo Christo that we are assured of the divine nature of Jesus Christ and that He alone is the sole mediator between God and man, that He alone can save from sin 1 Titus 2:5
- Sola Gratia That we are saved by grace alone and not through any merits of our own, salvation is the gift of God who forgives our sins through the blood of His Son out of the riches of His Grace Ephesians 1:7
- Sola Fide That justification is through faith alone, every good work we do counts against us if we are not resting in faith. Faith generates good works but with good works we cannot buy favour with God. Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness...the just shall live by faith Galatians 3:6-11
- Sola Scriptura That the bible being inspired by God the Holy Spirit who carried men along as they wrote and spoke is the Word of God 2 Timothy 3:16 and is alone the sole authority for men. Nothing may be added to nor taken from this book Revelation 22:19
- Soli Deo Gloria That we are God's creation and He has sovereign rule over our lives and so our lives should be lived to His glory. The Westminster Shorter Catechism explains this further stating that the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever expressing the truth of the bible you are bought with a price therefore glorify God with your body 1 Corinthians 6:20
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These truths of the bible form the cornerstone of the Christian Church and may be expressed simply as 'Saved by Christ alone, by Grace alone, through faith alone living under the authority of God's Word alone and for His glory alone.
True Christian unity therefore is found only among like-minded believers who uphold the fundamental truths of the gospel without which there can be no salvation. Unity that includes those who do not hold to these truths is not a Christian alliance and could never receive that blessing which we are promised and seek.
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