How We Can Unify With Other Churches

How can churches of unique styles of worship join together and truly be in unity? We should first determine what distinguishes us from the rest of the religious world. Below are the absolutes that the Christian church lays as its foundation for all else to be built upon. This then becomes The Gospel that we are to preach.

Absolutes
1.) The Bible is God's word to humanity and is the standard we use to judge spiritual experiences and teachings.
2.) God has chosen to demonstrate Himself as the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit which are one.
3.) Salvation from eternal judgment is by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ and not by man's works.

The many other important Biblical issues that we apply to our Christianity are not bedrock but are considered interpretations or deductions that we uniquely adhere to. These may create minor differences between our churches. They are however not to be used in a divisive fashion for they do not keep us from a common foundation. Interpretations are usually explanations or applications in their nature. We can proclaim them from our pulpits as revelation, doctrinal observations or perceptions of faith. Below are listed a few of these such items. Throughout history men and women who love Jesus and revere God's word as conscientious theologians have come to different conclusions on the following issues. We may gain some peace in knowing that we are numbered among them.

Important Biblical Issues subject to interpretation

1.) Baptism
2.) Communion
3.) Church governments
4.) Eschatology (end times)
5.) Eternal security
6.) Healing
7.) The Charismata (charismatic gifts of the Spirit)
8.) Prosperity, Tithing, Stewardship
9.) Sanctification
10.) Methodology of ministry
11.) Baptism of the Holy Spirit
12.) Elders and deacons
13.) Laying on of hands
14.) Demonology and deliverance and spiritual warfare
15.) Feasts and fastings
16.) Missions (methodology)
17.) Evangelism (methodology)
18.) Music style
19.) The priesthood of the believer
20.) Ordination and leadership
21.) Authority of the believer and in the home
22.) The role of men and women in the church
23.) Anointing with oil

Jn.17:21-23 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Ro.15:5-6 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ep.4:3 & 13 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.... until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Heb.6:1 -2 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

2Ti.3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

Jn.3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Ep.2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--

Mt.28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Mt.18:19 Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.