Unity vs uniformity

[The God Pill]

There's been brief discussion and mention here and there of unity vs uniformity I feel it's about time for a dedicated thread. To open I found this passage nice it argues the holy spirit is the cause of unity among God's people since pentecost.

2. This Spirit did David ask for the human race, saying, “And stablish me with Thine all-governing Spirit;” who also, as Luke says, descended at the day of Pentecost upon the disciples after the Lord’s ascension, having power to admit all nations to the entrance of life, and to the opening of the new covenant; from whence also, with one accord in all languages, they uttered praise to God, the Spirit bringing distant tribes to unity, and offering to the Father the first-fruits of all nations. Wherefore also the Lord promised to send the Comforter, who should join us to God. For as a compacted lump of dough cannot be formed of dry wheat without fluid matter, nor can a loaf possess unity, so, in like manner, neither could we, being many, be made one in Christ Jesus without the water from heaven. And as dry earth does not bring forth unless it receive moisture, in like manner we also, being originally a dry tree, could never have brought forth fruit unto life without the voluntary rain from above. For our bodies have received unity among themselves by means of that laver which leads to incorruption; but our souls, by means of the Spirit.

 

[PJ54]

The thing people need to understand is while unity is good & to avoid divisions is essential we need to bear in mind the words of Jesus:

(John 4:24) 24 God is a Spirit, and those worshipping him must worship with spirit and truth.”

If we fail to do so then God will undo such unity as it was stated in the Law:

(Leviticus 26:33) .33 And I will scatter you among the nations, and I will unsheathe a sword after you; and your land will be made desolate, and your cities will be devastated.

 

[The God Pill]

Iraneus recounting Polycarp's dispute with Anicetus the quartodecimen controversy and it's peaceful resolution agreeing to disagree.

III For the controversy is not merely as regards the day, but also as regards the form itself of the fast. For some consider themselves bound to fast one day, others two days, others still more, while others [do so during] forty: the diurnal and the nocturnal hours they measure out together as their [fasting] day. And this variety among the observers [of the fasts] had not its origin in our time, but long before in that of our predecessors, some of whom probably, being not very accurate in their observance of it, handed down to posterity the custom as it had, through simplicity or private fancy, been [introduced among them]. And yet nevertheless all these lived in peace one with another, and we also keep peace together. Thus, in fact, the difference [in observing] the fast establishes the harmony of [our common] faith. And the presbyters preceding Soter in the government of the Church which thou dost now rule—I mean, Anicetus and Pius, Hyginus and Telesphorus, and Sixtus—did neither themselves observe it [after that fashion], nor permit those with them to do so. Notwithstanding this, those who did not keep [the feast in this way] were peacefully disposed towards those who came to them from other dioceses in which it was [so] observed although such observance was [felt] in more decided contrariety [as presented] to those who did not fall in with it; and none were ever cast out [of the Church] for this matter. On the contrary, those presbyters who preceded thee, and who did not observe [this custom], sent the Eucharist to those of other dioceses who did observe it. And when the blessed Polycarp was sojourning in Rome in the time of Anicetus, although a slight controversy had arisen among them as to certain other points, they were at once well inclined towards each other [with regard to the matter in hand], not willing that any quarrel should arise between them upon this head. For neither could Anicetus persuade Polycarp to forego the observance [in his own way], inasmuch as these things had been always [so] observed by John the disciple of our Lord, and by other apostles with whom he had been conversant; nor, on the other hand, could Polycarp succeed in persuading Anicetus to keep [the observance in his way], for he maintained that he was bound to adhere to the usage of the presbyters who preceded him. And in this state of affairs they held fellowship with each other; and Anicetus conceded to Polycarp in the Church the celebration of the Eucharist, by way of showing him respect; so that they parted in peace one from the other, maintaining peace with the whole Church, both those who did observe [this custom] and those who did not.

 

[MickHewitt]

There's been brief discussion and mention here and there of unity vs uniformity I feel it's about time for a dedicated thread. To open I found this passage nice it argues the holy spirit is the cause of unity among God's people since pentecost.

2. This Spirit did David ask for the human race, saying, “And stablish me with Thine all-governing Spirit;” who also, as Luke says, descended at the day of Pentecost upon the disciples after the Lord’s ascension, having power to admit all nations to the entrance of life, and to the opening of the new covenant; from whence also, with one accord in all languages, they uttered praise to God, the Spirit bringing distant tribes to unity, and offering to the Father the first-fruits of all nations. Wherefore also the Lord promised to send the Comforter, who should join us to God. For as a compacted lump of dough cannot be formed of dry wheat without fluid matter, nor can a loaf possess unity, so, in like manner, neither could we, being many, be made one in Christ Jesus without the water from heaven. And as dry earth does not bring forth unless it receive moisture, in like manner we also, being originally a dry tree, could never have brought forth fruit unto life without the voluntary rain from above. For our bodies have received unity among themselves by means of that laver which leads to incorruption; but our souls, by means of the Spirit.

Yes...and love too the oil. We have a lot to work on!

 

[ReaT.]

I Hate This Forum, the way we were, is the way it should have stayed. Robert picked the topic, explain his point of view and all were able to respond, Simple, Easy Breeze. My motto, "If it is not broken, don't try to fix it." May Jehovah be with all until The End of This System Of Things. Take Care and please be Blessed!!!

 

[MickHewitt]

I Hate This Forum, the way we were, is the way it should have stayed. Robert picked the topic, explain his point of view and all were able to respond, Simple, Easy Breeze. My motto, "If it is not broken, don't try to fix it." May Jehovah be with all until The End of This System Of Things. Take Care and please be Blessed!!!

Hello Rea: It's great here; You get awards for tweeting, Ive got 4 but Ive got to give the last 3 back for fraud...Titter...Grab you on the other side...ooops! that was ominous....