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This article originally appeared in the September 2003 Edition
Maintaining
the Unity of the Spirit
"...endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph 4:3).
It is a fundamental fact that the unity of which Paul spoke in Ephesians 4 was a unity produced by the Holy Spirit. Man cannot produce this unity – it comes only as the Spirit leads us into fellowship with God through our obedience to the gospel. "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free – and have all been made to drink into one spirit" (1 Cor. 12:13). We become one body in Christ as we unite upon the divine principles of truth – the gospel of Christ. Then, once we are in the fellowship of Christ and the saints, we are to "endeavor" or "strive" to keep this unity "in the bond of peace." Certainly this unity can be destroyed. We noted last month how some have been deceived into accepting an imitation of unity when they accept "unity-in-diversity." They are not one and the same, but efforts are underway to identify the former with the latter. Judaizing teachers attempted to do the same thing in the first century with the gospel by merging it with the Law of Moses. Thus, instead of the gospel, they wanted the law-gospel. Paul resisted that movement by stating that there can be only one gospel (Gal. 1:6-9). Likewise, there can be only one unity of the Spirit and it cannot be, at the same time, unity-in-diversity.
Arguments in Favor of Unity-in-Diversity
Arguments have been registered in an attempt to justify substituting unity-in-diversity for the unity of the Spirit.
"Some of those who mistake conformity for unity appear to be startled when they first learn that we suggest there may be unity-in-diversity. Actually we go much further than that. We assert that if there is any unity at all it must be unity in diversity." (Carl Ketcherside, The Twisted Scriptures, p. 71-72)
"Within certain limits, God grants to Christians the right to a private conscience in matters of ‘faith.’ I believe that right is discussed in Romans 14. However, whether or not one accepts my exegesis of that passage, honest minds must acknowledge the reality of a past and present Christian world that tolerates contradictory teachings and practices on important moral and doctrinal questions." (Ed Harrell, "The Bounds of Christian Unity," May 1990, 134)
Though Carl Ketcherside was considered, once upon a time, a radical unworthy of consideration, his view has become "mainstream" with many in non-institutional churches today. His view is widely accepted and takes this form: "We all practice unity-in-diversity. There is error in every church and we all have to accept brethren in error and receive them into our fellowship." Have you heard that lately? Many preachers are now ready to accept unity-in-diversity as the only way to deal with sin and error.
Did Paul Teach Unity-in-Diversity?
Usually, Romans 14 is cited at this point to indicate that Paul practiced unity-in-diversity when he taught the Roman church to "receive one who is weak in the faith" (14:1). Since that chapter instructs the strong brother to "receive" the weak (v. 1), to stop "judging" (v. 13) and to keep his convictions "to yourself" (v. 22), they ignore the context of "authorized liberties" (vv 14, 16, 20, 1 Cor. 8:9; 10:23) and attempt to include sinful practices. The result is an on-going, never-ending fellowship with sin because of a misapplication of this chapter. Paul was not teaching unity-in-diversity with sinful practices; he was instructing faithful brethren how to deal with each other in matters of authorized liberties, a totally different subject.
Do We All Practice Unity-in-Diversity?
"How then," we are asked, "do you deal with sin and error in a local church? Every congregation has in it babes in Christ, those who are ignorant, those who believe and practice error and, sometimes, rebels and false teachers. How do you deal with these if you don’t use Romans 14?"
The answer is so simple and basic that it is somewhat surprising that mature Christians have to be reminded. We don’t deal with sin in the local church on the basis of Romans 14, but on the basis of Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:5-6; Jude 22-23, and many other passages. God’s word has not left us without guidance in such an important matter. "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them" (Eph. 5:11). "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them" (Rom. 16:17). Yes, we should be patient and loving in dealing with such matters. Paul taught: "Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all" (1 Thes. 5:14). But being patient and loving does not imply fellowship in evil deeds.
In any local church, we may find babes in Christ, the untaught or ignorant, rebels or false teachers. But God has provided the avenue for dealing with such contingencies. He reminded the church at Ephesus of the purpose of the word: "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" (4:11-14).
A local church is to "equip the saints" by the application of the word! From the pulpit, in classes, from house to house, from the eldership and from the evangelist, God’s word is to be taught. The pressure of the word will work to bring the babes in Christ to "perfection." The pressure of the word will work to instruct the untaught and ignorant. The pressure of the word will work to correct the rebel and the false teacher. They will know that the local church will not fellowship moral or doctrinal error when the word is taught. When members will not respond to the power of the word, choosing to remain a rebel or a false teacher, then discipline will be undertaken to "deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus" (1 Cor. 5:5). In either case, the word of God is actively working in the lives of Christians to bring them to the "unity of the faith" or "unity of the Spirit." This is not the same as unity-in-diversity! Unity of the Spirit provides for the building up of the body of Christ as imperfect people apply God’s word for instruction and edification. Unity-in-diversity is willing to accept people in their sins and accept them in an on-going, never-ending fellowship of error.
Where Unity-in-Diversity Began
This application of unity-in-diversity has been most prevalent in the area of divorce and remarriage. Those who teach soul-condemning error on adulterous marriages have been continuously used by brethren in meetings, in publications and preaching appointments that clearly show approval of fellowship with teachers of error. In fact, those who have taught blatant error have been more warmly received in many places than those who have objected to the error. While pulpits remain open to those who teach error, they are closed to those who point out the error. Unity-in-diversity works well for those who teach error, but it is a poor companion to those who stand for truth.
The Bible warns that "evil men shall wax worse and worse" (2 Tim. 3:13). Thus, what began as fellowship with those who taught error on divorce and remarriage has now expanded until we are asked to accept those who teach error on gambling, immodesty, social drinking, church sponsored recreation, doctrinal error on the creation, and more. Brethren, once the gate is opened, nothing can be stopped! When the doctrine of unity-in-diversity is once accepted, there is no logical stopping place. Some were willing to overlook error because it was only brother Homer Hailey teaching it. But now, teachers of error have multiplied and the error they espouse is growing. It has always been this way! Even the Arabs have a saying, "Let a camel get his nose into the tent, and the whole camel will come in." Error got a foothold into the thinking of brethren because brother Hailey was universally loved and received in spite of his error on adulterous marriages. Then other brethren who held similar views on adulterous marriages were received and used. Now the inclusiveness of unity-in-diversity is willing to accept social drinking, immodesty and a host of other sinful practices.
Are You Involved in Unity-in-Diversity?
Look around you, brethren! Do you see a change in what Christians are wearing these days? Do you see a change in the kind of movies that Christians are watching? Have you heard some defend social drinking? Is gambling more prevalent? Do you hear a difference in the preaching from the pulpit? Is sin being exposed? Is error being identified? Has preaching become less and less militant and more and more soft and compromising? Do you hear more pleas for tolerance when error is taught? Are faithful preachers criticized for exposing sin? (This is usually couched as "poor attitudes," "name calling," and "brotherhood watchdogs.") Yes, please be awake and aware to what is going on around you.
Every generation must take its own stand for the truth. Past efforts, however noble, will not suffice for our day. It is a fact that many in the church are changing today and many go along to get along. Some cry "Peace, Peace, where there is no peace" (Jer. 6:14). They are willing to allow sin in the door and keep quiet in the face of error. Some in Jesus’ day kept quiet for fear of being put out of the synagogue (Jn. 12:42). Will we keep quiet today and allow unity-in-diversity to replace the unity of the Spirit? Where will you stand? Where do you stand?
An Invitation for Bible Discussion
As we did last month, we repeat our offer to have a Bible study, either written or oral, with anyone who can provide an endorsement from a congregation who teaches unity-in-diversity. If the congregation where you worship fellowships those who accept "...contradictory teachings and practices on important moral and doctrinal questions", ask your preacher to sign his name below. We will be happy to arrange a public discussion.
"The scriptures teach unity of the Spirit by which fellowship in a local congregation is maintained by speaking the same thing on important moral and doctrinal questions."
Affirm: Tom Roberts
Deny: ___________
"The scriptures teach unity-in-diversity by which contradictory teachings and practices on important moral and doctrinal questions are included in an on-going and never-ending fellowship in a local congregation."
Affirmed: ________
Denied: Tom Roberts