 
Illustration. Bethlehem. "That they may be one, even as We are one." John 17:22. 1. What relation do the Father and the Son sustain to each other? “I and My Father are one.” John 10:30. 2. In what does this oneness consist? “I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me.” John 5:30. Note.—Their oneness, therefore, consists in their having the same mind, will, and purpose. 3. What did Christ pray the Father in behalf of His disciples? “That they may be one, even as We are one.” John 17:22. See also verses 11 and 23. 4. Why did Christ desire this oneness, or unity, to exist among His followers? “That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me.” Verse 21. 5. By what did Christ say all men should know His disciples? “By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:35. [pg 583] Note.—“God has united believers in church capacity in order that one may strengthen another in good and righteous endeavor. The church on earth would indeed be a symbol of the church in heaven if its members were of one mind and of one faith. It is those who are not moved by the Holy Spirit that mar God's plan, and cause division, and strengthen the forces of darkness. Those who are sanctified by the blood of Christ will not counterwork God's work, nor perpetuate division in the church. When there is disunion among believers, the world concludes that they cannot be the people of God because they are working against one another. When believers are one with Christ, they will be united among themselves.” 6. How did Paul show his concern in this matter? “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Cor. 1:10. 7. What was a prominent cause of division in the early church? “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” Acts 20:29, 30. 8. What was already at work in the church in Paul's day? “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [hindereth] will let, until he be taken out of the way.” 2 Thess. 2:7. 9. Before Christ should come, what did Paul say was to take place? “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” Verses 3, 4. Note.—The huge system of error now fostered in the papal church is the result of the falling away here referred to. Says Wylie in his “History of Protestantism,” Vol. III, page 25: “Rome manifestly was the schismatic; she it was that abandoned what was once the common faith of Christendom, leaving by that step to all who remained on the old ground the indisputably valid title of the true church.” 10. Together, what do believers in Christ form? “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” 1 Cor. 12:27. 11. Being members of Christ's body, of what else do we become members? [pg 584]“So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” Rom. 12:5. 12. As members of one another, what is the duty of each? “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.” 1 Cor. 12:25. 13. What should they endeavor to keep? “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Eph. 4:1-3. 14. What unity of faith is finally to exist among God's watchmen? “Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion.” Isa. 52:8. 15. What solemn message, just before the Lord's coming, will unite God's people in bonds of faith and love? “Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.... Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.... If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God.” Rev. 14:7-10. See Rev. 18:1-5. 16. How are those who receive this message described? “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Verse 12. 17. When the Lord comes, what will be the united cry of God's people? “And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” Isa. 25:9. How blest the sacred tie that binds In sweet communion kindred minds! How swift the heavenly course they run Whose hearts, whose faith, whose hopes, are one. |
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