September 11, 2001 brought many changes to our nation and the world as a whole. We had been violated and infiltrated right in front of our eyes. The terrorist attacks also rocked the church world, and for a brief moment, it seemed like everyone was talking about God, Country and Unity. Church attendance went on the rise, the stock market began to plunge, and fear began to increase all over the country. Life in the United States would never be the same again. I heard people from all different religions speak about God and Unity as if we all believed the same thing. Even the leaders of our government prayed together and mentioned God on a frequent basis.

"The body of Christ is going to arrive at a place of unity."

Was this the beginning of a great revival? Was this the unity of the faith? Let's take a look at what the Bible said. Ephesians 4:11-13 says, "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." What a powerful portion of scripture. We have an expected destination! The word of God states that the Christian life is progressive. The body of Christ is going to arrive at a place of Unity. Are we there yet? I don't believe so. If the unity of the faith is where we are supposed to arrive, then we should have some knowledge about what it is, and the purpose of it. The Bible says in Psalm 133:1-3, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore."

There is an anointing on the body of Christ when it is in Unity. God Commanded Blessings and Life on Unity forever! That's why satan fights the Unity of the Faith so much. Faith is referred to as "Like Precious". We are encouraged to "Stand Fast" in the Faith, and even "Contend" for the Faith. Unity of the faith is not just a nice idea. It is an Unshakable, Powerful, Anointed Lifestyle the Church desperately needs. Notice that the Bible did not say, "Unity of the Doctrines," it said, "Unity of the Faith." A doctrine is a set of beliefs adopted by various groups of people...particularly church organizations. Doctrine is the foundational tenet, or belief, upon which the particular organization is built.

1Cor 3:10-12 says, "According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." Doctrine is what we are taught, believe and live. Doctrine is extremely important. The Believer's doctrine should be based on the written Word of God and nothing else.

The Word of God says "Unity of the Faith" not "Unity of the Faiths"

Contrary to what some think or believe there is only one true doctrine, God's Word. The Bible instructs us to rightly divide the Word of Truth. Your doctrine will be the way you believe. Your doctrine will become your belief system. Our belief system is of utmost importance. Our belief system dictates what we believe and how we receive. The unity of the faith is how we live. In order for the body of Christ to come into the Unity of the Faith, the foundation of our belief system must be the same. Jesus lived according to doctrine, and we should live by the same doctrine. Not someone else's. Enough said right now about that.

Let me get into the nutshell of this article. The Word of God says, "Unity of the Faith", not "Unity of the Faiths". "The Faith" is singular, not plural. As most believers would agree, there is only one God and one Lord. However, many "Christians" embrace many "Faiths".

Is there such a thing as Interfaith?

If you have the stomach for it, go to a worldwide web search and type in the word INTERFAITH. I did and up came over 25,000 references to the area of interfaith. Over 25,000! You can learn how to address different faiths, and "most importantly" relate to those of different faiths. You can find just about everything pertaining to interfaith from Muslim to Gay faith, to No faith. Interfaith actually includes those that "believe in NO Faith". What about that? "Faith in No Faith"! You might not be aware of it, but we even have a church in a city called the "Church of Elvis". Unbelievable, isn't it? I'm going to make a controversial statement which will no doubt cause some of the modern Christians to be concerned for me. Here it goes: "In the Believer's World, there is no such thing as Interfaith; there is only one Faith." There, I said it. Interfaith is a modern American term describing anything and everything one desires to believe in, and use for "their doctrine". This is not an acceptable way of life in the Bible. Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

Please try not to take what I'm fixing to say as critical. I'm simply trying to instruct and hopefully shed some light in this area.

"The Faith" in Ephesians means "Total Reliance on Christ for Salvation".

Salvation is an all-inclusive word.

We are destined as the "Body of Christ" to arrive at this place called "The Unity of the Faith". What does the Unity of the Faith really mean? If we all are going to come to this place, then we must know what to look for. If we don't know where we are going, we won't know when we get there. "The Faith" in Ephesians means "Total Reliance on Christ for Salvation". Salvation is an all-inclusive word. That means that Jesus Christ paid the price for everything we need and ever will need, from salvation to healing, to all the promises of God. That means that in Him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). 1 Tim. 2:5 says, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." This doctrine is acceptable to embrace and build on. Paul the Apostle had this to say in 1 Cor. 2:1-5: "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." This sounds like the unity of the faith to me. It is interesting to me that the meaning of the word "enticing" in the above-mentioned verse means "pacifying". We all know the age of one who uses a pacifier.

Issues have become the ammunition for us to shoot each other.

They are primary roadblocks keeping us from the unity of the faith.

One of the tactics the Enemy uses is to take what we have and get us to use it against ourselves. Why shoot at the enemy if you can get them to shoot at themselves? Let them have their own doctrinal weapons and shoot each other with ammunition of issues. That's right - issues.

When mankind comes up with his own religious doctrine, he inevitably comes up with a vast amount of issues. Issues have become the ammunition for us to shoot each other. They are primary roadblocks that keep us from the unity of the faith. I have listed some issues in the following pages. I call some of them "Sacred Cows". As we walk through this proverbial "Pasture", watch out where you step! I am confident you have encountered some of these in your lifetime. Very few of them will bring us into "The Unity of the Faith". These are just a few issues our doctrines have produced, but you should get the idea. Get your Bible open and ready. I hope this list will inspire you to search for the real issue. His name is Jesus Christ.

The Church Growth Issue

• How many people are in our church?
• What is the square footage of our building?
• Does it matter what kind of building we should have?
• Should catechism be required for membership?
• Should we have home meetings or cell groups?
• Do we know the demographics of our region?
• What is our monthly budget?
• How many staff members are on our payroll?
• Should we use bus evangelism?
• Should we practice every member evangelism?
• Do we believe in power evangelism?
• Should we get a church loan?
• How long should our church services be?
• Should we use puppeteers in church?
• Is there such a thing as Christian rock music?
• When changing churches, is a letter of membership required?
• Should there be altar calls at every service?
• Should our ministry be on radio or television?
• How often should we have guest preachers or musicians?
• Is the pastor the only gift ministry we need?
• How long should it take for us to break the 100 barrier?
• How many services should we have in a week?

The Church Growth Issue (continued)

• Is a large church the best?
• Is a small church the best?

The Deeper Life Issue

• What is the "high calling" of Philippians 3:12-14?
• What is "revelation knowledge" and how does man receive it?
• What is the Bible meaning of "perfection"?
• When and how does a Christian experience perfection?
• Who are "the manifested sons of God"?
• What is Zion?
• Where is Zion?
• Who is Zion?
• Can a Christian overcome physical death like Enoch?

The Godhead Issue

• Which theology is correct: Trinitarian or Oneness?
• Is Jesus the Father?
• Who was Jesus before His incarnation?
• What Person is the Holy Spirit?
• Can we know what constitutes the Godhead?
• What does God look like?
• Is God male, female or neither? Or both?
• Is the mode of baptism by immersing, pouring, or sprinkling?
• Should the Church practice infant baptism?
• What is the proper formula or name to be invoked in baptism?
• Can a layman officiate in water baptism?
• Should one ever be re-baptized in water?

The Discipleship Issue

• What is discipleship?
• By whom and what method are men and women to be discipled?
• What is meant by "covering"?
• Does every Christian need a mentor?
• Should every believer and local church have a covering?
• Should Christians watch soap operas every afternoon?
• Should Christians watch movies?
• Should a child of God play "Dungeons and Dragons"?
• Are video games sin?
• How much, if any, television should a Christian watch?
• Is it right for a Christian to drink wine?
• Should Christians play the lottery?
• Can a person still be saved and smoke cigarettes?
• Is it wrong to do work or go fishing on Sunday?
• Should a believer eat meat or be a vegetarian?
• Should a Christian study other religions or philosophies?
• How much authority does a husband have over his wife?
• Should women wear pants, cut their hair or wear jewelry?
• Should a man have long hair, a beard or moustache?
• Should a Christian man have an earring?
• Should believers hug each other in public meetings?
• Should we practice what the Bible calls "a holy kiss"?
• Is it right for a Christian to have a gun in the house?
• Should a Christian practice martial arts?
• Should a Christian go to war?
• Is it wrong to have a radar detector?
• Is it wrong to have more than one television?
• Is it wrong to wear a name of a place on a shirt even if you have not been there?
• Is having an organ transplant a sin?
• Is having a blood transfusion a sin?

The Discipleship Issue (continued)

• Can a pastor tell his people what kind of car to drive?
• Can a pastor tell an individual who to or who not to marry?
• Can people be ex-communicated from the local church?
• Is "translocal authority" a scriptural principle?
• How much authority does an apostle have over local elders?
• Can a pastor call a fast?

The Dominion Issue

• What is meant by the term "Kingdom Now"?
• What is the "dominion theology", and how far does it go?
• Is "liberation theology" a tool of the devil or God?
• Isn't "dominion theology" part of the New Age teaching?
• What place does the natural Jew have in the plan of God?
• Who is a "Jew", according to the Bible?
• Is the Israel of God a natural or spiritual nation?
• What is "the Gospel of the Kingdom"?
• How should one interpret the Book of Revelation?
• Did the devil steal anything?
• If he did, how should we take it back?
• Should a Christian run for political office?
• Does God want all of His people to prosper?
• Is it a sin to be rich?
• What kind of house or car should a pastor have?
• How much salary should a pastor have?
• What did Jesus mean when he said, "Occupy till I come"?
• How will the Kingdom come to earth?
• Is Heaven a real place?
• Are all Christians Kings and Priests?

The Eschatology (Prophetic Events) Issue

• Is the coming of Jesus literal or spiritual?
• Will there be a "Rapture"?
• If so, will it be pre-trib, mid-trib or post-trib?
• Is there a tribulation?
• Which is right: pre-millennialism or amillennialism?
• Who is the "prince" in Daniel 9:24-27?
• Now that Russia is dissolved, who will invade Israel?
• Who or what is the antichrist?
• Is Matthew 24 describing the past or the future?
• What is the "mark of the beast" in Revelation 13?
• Were C.I. Schofield and Clarence Larkin Spirit-filled men?
• Is the thousand-year millennium literal or figurative?
• Will the Jews rebuild a temple in Jerusalem?
• What is the marriage supper of the Lamb?
• Is the judgment seat of Christ present or future?
• What does a glorified or celestial body look like?
• Who are the 144,000 of Revelation 7 and 14?
• What is and where is Heaven?
• Is the "mansion" of John 14:2 for man or for God to live in?
• What is hell, where is it, and is it forever?

The Liturgy Issue

• How high should "high church" be?
• According to the Bible, not history, what is a "Bishop"?
• Should a preacher ever wear a clerical collar?
• Are public prayers to be read or to be spontaneous?
• Should a preacher use notes?
• Should special singers use taped or live accompaniment?
• What is "the Song of the Lord"?

The Liturgy Issue (continued)

• Are drums a proper instrument for the local church?
• Should we have music in Church?
• Can a person "prophesy" through an instrument?
• How does God feel about the use of banners in the Church?
• Is mime a legitimate ministry?
• Should we stage dramas or plays?
• Should Christians celebrate Christmas or Easter?
• Should there be choreographed dance in the church?
• What is "dancing in the Spirit"?
• Should there be any kind of dancing in a church service?
• Should we use real wine in the Lord's Supper?
• Who can or cannot be served the Eucharist?
• Should we serve communion every Sunday?
• Is footwashing a valid sacramental ordnance?

The Pneumatology (Holy Spirit) Issue

• Is it necessary for all Christians to speak with tongues?
• What are the scriptural purposes for speaking with tongues?
• Does God still work miracles?
• Is it God's will to heal everybody?
• Is divine healing gradual or instantaneous?
• Can an unbeliever receive divine healing?
• Should Christians go to doctors or take medicine?
• Is "inner healing" a legitimate ministry?
• Why do godly Christians sometimes die a painful death?
• Are the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit for us today?
• What is the baptism of the Holy Ghost?
• Does one have to be sanctified before being filled?
• What does it mean to "pray in the Holy Ghost" (Jude 20)?

The Pneumatology (Holy Spirit) Issue (continued)

• Is there Biblical validity for being "slain" in the Spirit?
• In the operation of the gifts of the Spirit, is it scriptural to blow upon people?
• Can "the word of knowledge" work through radio or television?

The Marriage/Divorce Issue

• Is sex outside of marriage a sin?
• How old does one have to be before he can get married?
• Should married couples practice birth control?
• Is vasectomy or tubal ligation morally right?
• Is there ever a legitimate reason to justify abortion?
• Should Christians picket abortion clinics?
• Does the Bible limit any sexual practices in married life?
• Is homosexuality hereditary or immoral, learned behavior?
• Does God honor homosexual weddings?
• Can a Christian marry an unbeliever?
• Can an unwed mother minister in the local church?
• Does God permit divorce?
• Once divorced, can a person still join a local church?
• Once divorced, can a preacher still continue his or her ministry?
• If so, what happens to the ministry if they remarry?
• If a preacher falls, can he be restored to the ministry?
• Once divorced, can a person remarry?
• How many marriages are acceptable for a Christian?
• Can one remarry if his or her previous mate is still living?

The Race Issue

• Is one race or color superior to another?
• Is the black man cursed because of the sin of Ham?

The Race Issue (continued)

• Was Adam a white man or a black man?
• Was Jesus black?
• Is it scriptural for the races to intermarry?
• Should interracial couples have children?
• Are only Anglo-Saxon people the true "Israel" of God?
• Did the U.S. and Great Britain descend from the ancient tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh?
• Should one know how to search out his natural genealogy?
• Is there such a thing as a black or a white church?
• What is meant by "the reconciliation of the races"?
• Should there be quotas for minorities in the job market?
• Why is black history pushed to the back of our schoolbooks?
• Why are all children not informed about black heroes in military life, education, sports or U.S. history?
• Is today the "day of the black man"?
• Does "Cushi" of Second Samuel 18, the man running with the message, represent a black man or the new man?
• Will third world ministries spearhead the Feast of Tabernacles in the Day of the Lord?

The Spiritual Warfare Issue

• Is there a real devil?
• Is he defeated or is he alive and well on planet Earth?
• Is the war over or just beginning?
• What is warfare in the "heavenlies"?
• Are demons real?
• Can a Christian have a demon or be demon-possessed?
• Can a demon have a Christian?
• What is the Bible method of casting out a demon?
• What is the nature and purpose of angels?
• Does every Christian have a guardian angel?

The Spiritual Warfare Issue(continued)

• Are there demonic provincial powers over every city?
• How do we take our city for God?
• What does praise and worship have to do with spiritual warfare?
• Can hand gestures hurt or destroy the devil's powers?
• Can hand movements be prophetical?
• Does too much activity or volume in a service displease God?

The Theocracy (Local Church) Issue

• Is the Church mystical or visible, universal or local?
• Is local church government democratic or theocratic?
• Is a church subject to Jesus or to a central headquarters?
• Does the Bible substantiate denominationalism?
• Is the clergy-laity distinction truth or tradition?
• Is it scriptural for a church to vote on anything?
• Who gets the tithe in a local church?
• Is "Para-Church" Biblical?
• Should tithes pay for physical buildings?
• Is tithing before, during or after the Law?
• What is the "storehouse" of Malachi 3:8-10?
• Should a church change pastors or congregations?
• Is there to be one-man rule or team effort?
• If a team, is the plurality of eldership also a co-equality?
• Is an "assistant pastor" a scriptural office?
• Did apostles and prophets die out with the early church?
• What is an apostle and what does he do?
• What is a prophet and what does he do?
• Can men prophesy prediction, direction?
• Can one prophesy judgment today?

The Theocracy (Local Church) Issue (continued)

• Is personal prophecy (prophecy to individuals) scriptural?
• What is the definition and purpose of a "presbytery"?
• What is the five-fold or "hand" ministry of Ephesians 4:11?
• Can a woman pastor a local church?
• Can a woman preach the Word?
• Can a woman teach the Bible to men?
• Should women wear a hat (head covering) in public meetings?
• What are the Biblical parameters of a "prophetess"?
• Can a woman be a prophetess?
• Are there any female apostles?
• Are there any female evangelists?
• What is the role of a deaconess?
• What is the definition and purpose of elders and deacons?
• Should the five-fold ministry be resident in the local church?

STOP!

I hope you have made it through these in one piece. Can you see what hurt and confusion can come out of these issues? The Church must come into the Unity of the Faith. We don't have time to fuss and fight each other over the issues. We might never agree on everything, but we must eventually agree on one thing: Jesus Is Everything You Need. He Is the issue. Total reliance on Him for salvation is "the Faith". Take a moment and think about the times we live in. Christians seem to be looking for the "anti-Christ" more than Jesus. The name Jesus is not popular nowadays either. The mention of Jesus is very rare in a movie, unless used as a swear word. We hear people mention God as a "Higher Power" or "Great Universal Creator", "Divine Intelligence" or "Great Spirit", but hardly ever mention "Jesus". Television programs can say "Angel" or "God", but not the "Lord Jesus Christ". A lot of the "Christian" songs I hear nowadays don't mention Jesus even one time in the entire CD. You can't tell who they are singing about -- girlfriend, best friend or who. I don't expect every song to say Jesus over and over again, but I do believe other issues can be allowed to overshadow the real issue. His Blood cleanses from all sin. His name is Higher than any other. He Is the Healer, and the Storm Subsider. The Alpha and Omega,

the Beginning and the End. Wonderful in Counsel, Mighty to Deliver and Excellent In Working. The Savior to the Whole World. The Spotless Lamb slain for you and me. He is Mighty, yet a Friend that sticks closer than any brother. He will never leave us or forsake us, and ever lives to make intercession for us. He understands us, yet still loves us. He is Loving, Marvelous, Glorious and His Mercy endures forever. He is Patient and Kind. He Is Master, King and Lord of Lords. He is our Peace, and in Him we are Complete. I'm convinced that every ministry that continues to lift up Jesus Christ, and give Him all the Glory, will have an ever-increasing anointing on them -- Increased Healings, Breakthroughs and Victories. Where the Lord abides, His Glory does as well.

Word to the Wise

For the ministries and Christians that continue to lift up their "pet" issues, I have a word for you. Please keep Jesus Christ and Faith in Him your issue. Look for Him. Hunger and Thirst for More of Him. The Lord Is Returning for those who love his appearing. Run hard after Jesus and he won't ever say, "Depart from me. I never knew you". He'll say, "Well Done, My Good and Faithful Servant. Enter in to the Joy of The Lord". We will come to "The Unity of the Faith". Oh, what a Glorious Day that will be!

by Ron Roper

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