How are we different?

If the God of the New Testament is the same as the Old Testament God, then blessing and cursing are still on the docket. The zenith of New Testament teaching is found in Ephesians and Colossians. In Ephesians 4:3-7 (the beginning of the practical teaching in Eph.), Paul says that in "endeavoring to keep the UNITY of the Spirit in the bond of peace, there is..."

This is a teaching that is missing in most religious organizations, called Church. "Unity" is based on the following verses. The apostle Paul continues by saying that there is "One Body" (4:4). The reason for so much dis-unity among believers is that they accept the idea that there are many bodies. The Church of Christ, in the main, do not accept the Baptist believers as part of the body. And I know as a fact that Baptist do not accept other baptisms that identify believers with the Methodist, Catholic or whatever else tries to join. Different bodies is the accepted teaching today. Therefore, how can there be unity with so many bodies?

Paul goes on to say that there is "One Spirit" (4:4). This "One Spirit" places all believers into "One Body." That should be enough to unify all believers. However, that is not the case. Paul then says that all believers are called in "One Hope" of their calling (4:4). There are too many hopes being preached today. Some say that prophecy offers a future hope to the believers. Others say that the hope has been realized.

How can there be unity with two hopes being preached from the pulpit? Paul continues with "One Lord" (4:5), "One Faith" (4:5), "One Baptism" (4:5), "One God" (4:6) and "One Father" (4:6) "Who is above all" (in sovereignty) and "through all" (in operation) and "in you all" (in presence). I know for a fact that there are over 600 different Baptist bodies that have fenced themselves in to their own little herd or breed. It is appalling that the Church is so divided into bodies. If this division is caused by a demon, he has been at it from the beginning. That is, at the writing of Ephesians in the first century.

One of the big problems in the division is "lying" about others. Therefore, Paul said, "Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his (believing) neighbour: for we are members one of another" (4:25). In other words, WE ALL ARE IN ONE BODY.

I am advocating an Internet Congregation to solve the "body" problem. Our local assemblies should grow strong in the Lord and teach that there is ONE BODY of all believers and that means that they are members of each other. Two Churches in the same city block is no different than two Sunday School classes in the same building. Both are ministering and should hold to the great fact that they are members of each other, no matter of their location.