The Unity that is Ecumenical
Christian unity is elusive. No one will deny that reality based on a simple survey from church history. Still, the Bible invites us to explore unity as a concept to be considered. We share the hope of unity in the body of Christ, but our hope is beyond this world and in the next. When all the obstacles have been removed, then we shall be one church in practice.
Jesus Christ is building His church in the midst of a fallen world (Gen 3; Mt 16:18). It is a building project in the Spirit (Eph 2:20–22). Our Lord, the Spirit of Christ, is crafting each living stone to fit in one specific spot in the Temple edifice. The chosen cornerstone to this superstructure is Christ Jesus (Is 28:16). Everything must be brought into alignment with Him (Eph 1:22), who is in perfect alignment with God the Father (1 Cor 15:27).
God is the architect and builder of all things (Heb 3:4), and by His infinite wisdom and omnipotent power, we must conclude that His project is right on schedule. Jesus Christ is God the Son, who will present His bride, His church, the Israel of God holy and blameless before God the Father (Eph 1:5; 5:27; Col 1:22). This means the Holy Spirit’s work of sanctification unto glorification will also have its perfect end (Rom 8:30; 15:16; 1 Thess 4:3, 7; 5:23; 2 Thess 2:13; 1 Pet 1:2).
There is an ecumenical movement that works for unity in the church, but it is never anchored in the truth. It requires truth to be compromised for the sake of unity. Unity without truth is hardly the position of Christ’s church, however. Only imposters would quest toward that end.
Jesus, of course, prayed for unity in His church. We, therefore, believe that unity will eventually be reality as God answers that prayer according to His will. We also believe it is Satan’s work to divide the body of Christ in every conceivable way. Therefore, the way to unity is by way of the truth.
God’s Word is truth (Ps 119:160; Jn 17:17) because God is true (Rom 3:4). It is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, who has brought forth the written Word of truth. The Word of truth is the Bible, inspired by the Spirit of Christ (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20–21). The Christian’s faith is in the revelation of God by His Spirit, manifest as the Bible.
The Bible, therefore, is to be preached by Spirit-filled men of God who proclaim Christ crucified. The Bible, being the revelation of God, is ultimately about Jesus Messiah — His Person and works. Jesus claimed, “…I am…the truth (Jn 14:6).” Thus, Jesus is true. The Bible is true. God is true. This must be the foundation of Christian unity, or it is an unsustainable unity, founded on something other than the truth.
The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord, which makes the church the pillar and support of the truth (1 Tim 3:15). The church is a witness to Christ in the world (Acts 1:8). The beloved tell of Christ’s love for His bride, the Israel of God (Eph 5:25; Gal 6:16). We love Christ in return because His Word to His people always proves true (1 Jn 4:19).
Christ Jesus is the church’s position of unity. We are “in Christ” by His doing (1 Cor 1:30). The knowledge of the truth is a spiritual blessing granted by His grace to His disciples. As we grow in the knowledge of Christ, we are growing in the knowledge of the truth (2 Pet 3:18).
Knowing the truth sets us free from false attempts at unity. For instance, a nation may advertise that they are “one nation under God,” but the truth presses upon us to ask, “Which God?” If the answer given is, “Well, any god you wish to worship,” then there is no unity because the truth has been forsaken.
In truth, there is only one holy nation organized by the one true God. This is the nation of royal priests chosen by God to serve Him in the Spirit and in truth (1 Pet 2:9). This is the Israel of God, Christ's church, drawn by God the Father to God the Son (Jn 6:44), through God the Spirit’s working. It is the Spirit’s work to call out God’s elect people from every nation, tribe and tongue (Rev 5:9; 7:9). It is every professed believer’s responsibility to make sure of their calling and election by examining themselves to see if they are in the faith.
Being joined to a so-called local church or denomination that sacrifices the truth in favor of some attempt at unity, with unbiblical allegiances demanding compliance to unbiblical practices is one indication of the need for repentance.
Repenting from ecumenical allegiances, emphasizing unity over and above truth, may mean leaving. Attempts at reforming ecumenical coalitions is costly in both time and resources. These may be better spent starting a new local church of people committed to truth, regardless of size. Denominations are not biblical and historically fail to secure unity under truth, in every case example. Subsequent generations work to change the status quo. Schism happens.
The unity produced by truth is in the Holy Spirit. Theologians have referred to this as “the invisible church.” This would be God’s chosen elect, redeemed, regenerate, believing members of the body of Christ worldwide. This is the kingdom of God in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17). As each Christian is sanctified to maturity and goes to be with the Lord upon his or her physical death, unity is sure for them in eternity.
Christians here must pray for the Spirit of God to lead and guide them to the best place for learning and knowing the truth as it is in Jesus (Eph 4:21). Unity may be elusive here, but our hope remains.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
October 24, 2022
