Post by iris89 on Sept 6, 2005 23:40:18 GMT -5
Unity Among Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) True Followers
INTRODUCTION:
Jesus (yeshua) said to his true footstep followers at Matthew 23:8, “As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.” You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.” (The New American Bible; NAB), and at John 13:35, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (Authorized King James Bible; AV).
EARLY CHRISTIANS HAD UNITY:
Despite their imperfections, early Christians had a sense of oneness among themselves which could be likened to the oneness between marriage mates per Genesis 2:24, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (AV). This unity of purpose that existed among early Christians was brought out by the apostle Paul at Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (AV), showing all would be one in Jesus (Yeshua) Christ.
UNITY OF JESUS AND HIS FATHER:
Unity of purpose was shown by Jesus (Yeshua) and his Father, God (YHWH) at John 10:30, “I and my Father are one.” (AV). Some may claim this is one in being, but this 'one' is one in purpose and this is made clear at John 17:9-11, " I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. 10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. 11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.” (AV). Which not only shows Jesus (Yeshua) and his Father (YHWH) as being one in prupose, but also, all the true Christian followers of his Son (Yeshua). This fact is further emphasized at John 10:29, Jesus (Yeshua) clearly showed they were two separate individuals, " My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. “(AV). Clearly here was a giver, the Father (YHWH) whom Jesus (Yeshua) publically declared was "greater than all" which statement would include being greater than himself, Jesus (Yeshua). Also, there was a receiver, a distinct individual, "has given them to Me."
PRESENT SITUATION:
So called Christianity today is divided among racial, political, and national lines and lacks unity. In fact, there are now over 22,000 so called Christian religions each teaching something different. In fact, as an example take the so called Orthodox Church which is divided into many national religions or the Methodist Church that is divided because of political and racial differences, i.e., the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) and the United Methodist Church that differ on race, etc.
This is NOT what Jesus (Yeshua) intended for his followers so obviously these groups can NOT be his true followers, but only followers in name, but NOT in fact.
UNITY IN WORSHIP OF THE ONE TRUE GOD (YHWH):
Unity in worship to Almighty God (YHWH) who sits on the throne of power in heaven is shown as necessary for all at Revelation 5:13, “ My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.” (AV), and Revelation 15:3-4, “And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. 4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.” (AV) this song of the Lamb, Jesus (Yeshua) shows all should worship his Father, God (YHWH), which clearly shows all should “come and worship before thee [Almighty God (YHWH)]”
CONCLUSION:
This unity of Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) true footstep followers is shown by the illustration of unity and diversity in one body at 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, F43 whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow F44 more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism F45 in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities F46 of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way” (AV). This unity of purpose and belief can be likened to a married couple becoming one in purpose per Matthew 19:6, “Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” (AV)..
For more information on creeds, go to:
www.network54.com/Forum/thread?forumid=392643&messageid=1124237594&lp=1124237594
Your Friend in Christ Iris89
INTRODUCTION:
Jesus (yeshua) said to his true footstep followers at Matthew 23:8, “As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.” You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.” (The New American Bible; NAB), and at John 13:35, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (Authorized King James Bible; AV).
EARLY CHRISTIANS HAD UNITY:
Despite their imperfections, early Christians had a sense of oneness among themselves which could be likened to the oneness between marriage mates per Genesis 2:24, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (AV). This unity of purpose that existed among early Christians was brought out by the apostle Paul at Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (AV), showing all would be one in Jesus (Yeshua) Christ.
UNITY OF JESUS AND HIS FATHER:
Unity of purpose was shown by Jesus (Yeshua) and his Father, God (YHWH) at John 10:30, “I and my Father are one.” (AV). Some may claim this is one in being, but this 'one' is one in purpose and this is made clear at John 17:9-11, " I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. 10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. 11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.” (AV). Which not only shows Jesus (Yeshua) and his Father (YHWH) as being one in prupose, but also, all the true Christian followers of his Son (Yeshua). This fact is further emphasized at John 10:29, Jesus (Yeshua) clearly showed they were two separate individuals, " My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. “(AV). Clearly here was a giver, the Father (YHWH) whom Jesus (Yeshua) publically declared was "greater than all" which statement would include being greater than himself, Jesus (Yeshua). Also, there was a receiver, a distinct individual, "has given them to Me."
PRESENT SITUATION:
So called Christianity today is divided among racial, political, and national lines and lacks unity. In fact, there are now over 22,000 so called Christian religions each teaching something different. In fact, as an example take the so called Orthodox Church which is divided into many national religions or the Methodist Church that is divided because of political and racial differences, i.e., the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) and the United Methodist Church that differ on race, etc.
This is NOT what Jesus (Yeshua) intended for his followers so obviously these groups can NOT be his true followers, but only followers in name, but NOT in fact.
UNITY IN WORSHIP OF THE ONE TRUE GOD (YHWH):
Unity in worship to Almighty God (YHWH) who sits on the throne of power in heaven is shown as necessary for all at Revelation 5:13, “ My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.” (AV), and Revelation 15:3-4, “And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. 4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.” (AV) this song of the Lamb, Jesus (Yeshua) shows all should worship his Father, God (YHWH), which clearly shows all should “come and worship before thee [Almighty God (YHWH)]”
CONCLUSION:
This unity of Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) true footstep followers is shown by the illustration of unity and diversity in one body at 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, F43 whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow F44 more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism F45 in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities F46 of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way” (AV). This unity of purpose and belief can be likened to a married couple becoming one in purpose per Matthew 19:6, “Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” (AV)..
For more information on creeds, go to:
www.network54.com/Forum/thread?forumid=392643&messageid=1124237594&lp=1124237594
Your Friend in Christ Iris89