Manley: unity in the Spirit

Tuesday, September 5, 2017
Meditation:
    I [Paul] am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized into my name.
    —1 Corinthians 1:14-15 (NIV)
Quotation:
    The task is not, in essence, the securing of uniformity, or cooperation, or Church reunion, or any of the external forms, through which nevertheless the unity may be manifested. Within the wide bounds of the Christian Church there is abundant scope for the multiplicity of races, languages, and social conditions; room also for separate organizations with different traditions of faith and order, and much diversity of operation.
    But there is no room for strife or hostility, for pride or self-assertion, for exclusiveness or unkind judgments, nor for that kind of independence which leads men to ignore their fellowship with the great company of believers, the communion of saints. These things are contrary to the revealed will of God, and should be made at once to cease. As these disappear, the outward manifestation of unity will come in such ways as the Spirit of God shall guide.
    ... G. T. Manley, Christian Unity, London: Inter-Varsity Fellowship, 1945, p. 86-87 (see the book)
    See also 1 Cor. 1:14-15; Matt. 24:14; 28:19; Acts 2:5; 10:34-35; 1 Cor. 1:11-13; 3:3-5; Phil. 1:15,17; 2:3; 1 Tim. 6:3-5
Quiet time reflection:
    Lord, make sure I follow no party but You alone. CQOD    Blog    email    RSS
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