Unity around the truth

1 Timothy 2:4 (KJV) Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Notice that both “knowledge” and “truth” are singular.

Unity around the gospel…

Truth emanates from the gospel for this dispensation:

Ephesians 1:13a (KJV) In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation:

…is unity around the truth of Christ

Philippians 2:2a, 5 (KJV) Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded…Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Being united in doctrine means being united in the doctrine Paul taught:

Romans 1:11-12 (KJV) For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

Paul would be comforted when he was assured that the saints at Rome shared the doctrine he taught - he had no plans to be taught doctrine by them (or anyone else for that matter).

Paul’s exhortations

Paul’s epistles contain multiple exhortations for saints to be of one mind/the same mind/likeminded/united regarding the faith. For example:

Romans 12:16a (KJV) Be of the same mind one toward another.

This is because unity comes from God…

Romans 15:5 (KJV) Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

…and brings him glory:

Romans 15:6 (KJV) That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Unity amongst the saints is also reflection of the faith of this dispensation…

Ephesians 4:3-6 (KJV) Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

…and more generally of the character of God:

Deuteronomy 6:4 (KJV) Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

Likemindedness and unity in the Body

• There are to be no factions amongst the saints

1 Corinthians 1:10, 12-13 (KJV) Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment…Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

• To be of one mind together brings the peace of God:

2 Corinthians 13:11 (KJV) Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

• Likemindedness results from humility:

Philippians 2:1-4 (KJV) If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

• Like-mindedness resolves conflict:

Philippians 4:2 (KJV) I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

Unity is necessary work

Unity requires endeavour:

Ephesians 4:3 (KJV) Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

This is why it is part of the work of the ministry.

Notice that the endeavour is to ‘keep’ and not ‘create’ the unity of the Spirit; it is the Holy Spirit’s unity that already exists for the church.

Keeping unity amongst believers is necessary for effective ministry together:

Amos 3:3 (KJV) Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

Unity is not exclusive to the Body of Christ

The notion of unity amongst the saints is not exclusive to the Body of Christ in the dispensation of grace. This is because, as above, it reflects the character of God.

• It can be seen under the old testament:

2 Chronicles 30:12 (KJV) Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the LORD.

Nehemiah 8:1 (KJV) And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.

• It can be seen in the kingdom church at Jerusalem acting in the power of the Holy Spirit:

Acts 1:14 (KJV) These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Acts 2:1 (KJV) And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

Acts 2:46 (KJV) And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

Acts 5:12 (KJV) And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.

• It will be present in the kingdom…

Jeremiah 32:39 (KJV) And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:

Psalm 133:1 (KJV) A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

…when God’s enemies are not ‘as one’ and are vanquished (seen here in type):

Judges 7:22 (KJV) And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Beth-shittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abel-meholah, unto Tabbath.