the unity of god's people
Yahweh's House of God Oakland California

Central to the faith of all of God's people is the confession of the unity of God: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord Your God is One Lord" (Deut. 6:4). The one true God has one set of laws that apply to both Israelites and foreigners. The prophetic vision of God anticipates a day when God will bring back all the scattered exiles and reunite the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah. (Ezek. 37:15-23). Indeed this same prophetic hope includes the reuniting, under the sovereignty of the one Lord, all the peoples of the world that keep His Law. (Zech. 14:9)

The Church, which is the body of Christ, is a unit made up of many parts. There was one church in the New Testament times and there is one church today. Although we live in an age of polarized denominational allegiances and ministerial loyalties there is still but one church. The Church which Christ heads is a brotherhood of believers having one purpose, one belief and one function. Be not deceived members of the church, i.e. the body of Christ, are easily recognized by common attributes. Each baptized believer is brought into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit. (1Cor. 12:13, Rom. 8:9) They all have an unfeigned love for one another and for the brotherhood. (Jon. 13:35, 15:12; Rom. 12:9 & 10; 1Pet. 1:22, 2:17) Every member of Christ's church keeps his commandments and walk as he walked. (Lk. 6:40; 1Jon. 2:3-11) The unity of God's people is an automatic product of obeying his word and those that are his are easily identified. (1Jon. 3:7-11)

Although there are many operations of the Spirit there is but one Holy Spirit. (1Cor. 12:4-11) Any infighting, discord or other types of confusion in the church is not of God. (1Cor. 14:33; James 4:1) Seeing we the people of God are of one body when one suffers all suffer. It is then encumbered upon us to make a sincere effort to keep the unity that is in the Spirit. All things must be done for the good of the body and not for ones self serving interest. (1Cor. 14:12)

The unity of the church is of the utmost importance; therefore, every member should protect that unity. This is done by acting in love toward other members, refusing to gossip, (Lev. 19:16; Prov. 26:20; 1Pet.4:15), and by following leadership. Unity of faith and knowledge of our Lord and Savior is achieved one way and one way only, i.e. by respecting, obeying and following God sent leaders. (Rom. 10:13-17; 1Cor. 12:3; Eph. 4:11-13) Jesus prayed that we might be one as he and his father are one. (Jon. 17:15-23) As members of the body of Christ we too must pray one for another. (Eph. 6:18; James 5:16) We must also be concerned for the welfare of the brethren and do everything within our means and power to help one another. (Rom. 15:1-6; Eph. 4:28; 1Jon. 3:17) Service to God should be rendered in righteousness, peace and the joy of the Holy Spirit. It's is this kind of service both God and his people desire, deserve, expect and accept. (Rom. 14:16-19)

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garment". (Psa. 133:1) For these reasons we believe and teach others the oneness of God and his people i.e., "The Unity of God's People".