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When will the church become united? We already have been united by the Spirit. Eph 4:3-6 "endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. This endeavoring is like a soldier keeping guard. In other words he will not to let anything in that would disassociate this unity of the Spirit. Jesus’ prayer for the church to be one was answered. Some people seem to think we need to make this happen, when the bible says we are to maintain it. 1 Cor. 12:12-15 “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.” The church is the body of Christ, made up of different members with various functions. We are all to be taught the same core doctrines to be the church and to keep this unity. John 17:20-21"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” Jesus’ prayer has been and is still being answered, as every new believer is added to the Body by hearing the gospel through someone that is a member of his body. A healthy body will bring Jesus to others so that they will be united with the universal Church that began at Pentecost |
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