Let's look at ten more things that unite Christians.
311. Disbelief
All Christians agree that when the women returned from the tomb the men initially reacted in disbelief. “Now they were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. The other women with them told these things to the apostles. These words seemed to them to be nonsense, and they didn't believe them.” (Luke 24:10-11 cf. Mark 16:10-11; John 20:18)
312. Emmaus
All Christians believe that two disciples on the road to Emmaus were met by the resurrected but initially unrecognized Jesus. “Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27) “It happened, that when he had sat down at the table with them, he took the bread and gave thanks. Breaking it, he gave to them. Their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished out of their sight.” (vs 30-31)
313. Appearing to the Disciples
All Christians agree that, after first appearing to the women and two unnamed disciples, Jesus appeared to the larger group. “When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, ‘Peace be to you.’" (John 20:19 cf. Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36-39)
314. Receive the Holy Spirit
All Christians agree that Jesus “breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit!’” (John 20:22)
315. Forgiven
All Christians believe that the apostles had authority to declare God’s conditions of forgiveness of sin or not. (John 20:23)
316. Doubter and Confessor
All Christian agree that Thomas was both a doubter and confessor. Doubting he said, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (John 20:25b) Confessing, “Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’" (vs 28)
317. Cast the Net
All Christians agree that the disciples went fishing, perhaps as an escape from the events of those days. The important thing is the following. “He [Jesus] said to them, ‘Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ They cast it therefore, and now they weren't able to draw it in for the multitude of fish. That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It's the Lord!’" (John 21:6-7)
318. Do You Love Me
All Christians agree that Jesus asked Simon Peter three times if he loved Him. This matched the three times that Peter had denied Christ. “Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, ‘Do you have affection for me?’ He said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’” (John 21:17)
319. The Great Commission
All Christians believe in the Great Commission of the church, first given to the apostles. “‘All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20 cf. Mark 16:15) “and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:47)
320. Salvation by Faith
All Christians agree that salvation is by faith. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)
321. The Ascension
All Christians believe in the ascension of our Lord into heaven. “So then the Lord, after he had spoken to them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.” (Mark 16:19 cf. Luke 24:51)
Postlude
This list coming from the Gospels, has been extensive but far from exhaustive. There are many other things that all Christians believe in common and can be found throughout both the Old and New Testaments. Though Catholics may differ on some aspects of Mary’s life, Eastern Orthodox may differ on some aspects of icons, Oriental Orthodox may differ on semantics regarding the nature of Christ, Anglicans and Episcopalians may differ because of adherence to the Book of Common Prayer, Baptists may differ on the mode and age of baptism, Calvinists and Lutherans may differ on the extent of human depravity, Methodists may differ on priorities within their quadrilateral, Pentecostals may differ on issues regarding languages, Anabaptists may differ in how far Christians separate from the world, and so on. Yet, we all agree on so much. This has been an attempt to lessen prejudice by pointing out the trunk-of-the-tree things where unity broadly exists.
Unity is largely there in doctrine, though not in some areas, but is it there in peace? “I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love, being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3)
