What Unites Christians (11-20)

Let's continue our study on what unites Christians by looking at ten more things that all Christians believe.

11. Of the Holy Spirit

All Christians believe that Mary became pregnant via a unique miracle from the Holy Spirit. “Joseph, son of David, don't be afraid to take to yourself Mary, your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:20b)

12. Jesus Savior

All Christians agree that the meaning of the name Jesus has to do with His main mission, salvation. “You shall call his name Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21b)

13. God with Us

All Christians believe that Jesus was God with us. “They shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, ‘God with us.’ " (Matthew 1:23b)

14. Bethlehem Born

All Christians believe that Jesus was born in Bethlehem during a census. “All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem” (Luke 2:3-4a)

15. Humble Birth

All Christians believe that the manner of Jesus’ birth to Mary was very humble. “She brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7)

16. Heavenly Host

All Christians believe that a heavenly host of angels set us all a good example by celebrating Jesus’ birth, saying, “Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men." (Luke 2:14)

17. Shepherds Praised God

All Christians believe that shepherds set us an example by spreading the news of Jesus’ birth and rejoicing. “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.” (Luke 2:20)

19. Descendant of David

All Christians believe that Jesus was a “son of David.” (Matthew 1:1b; Luke 3:31b)

20. Poor Parents

All Christians believe that Jesus’ earthly family was not rich, as proven by the fact that they gave the offering of a poor family. “A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” (Luke 2:24)

What Unites Christians (1-10)

Let's begin a new study. What unites Christians across the board are an amazing number of truths. If we Protestants really believe that salvation is by faith then let's give our Catholic and Orthodox brothers and sisters some credit for faith, and let's give God some credit for blessing those with faith. I believe that all churches have some serious theological flaws. Literally nobody has perfect theology. However, we all believe in the importance of what Jesus and the apostles taught.

Here then are a large number of things that unite all Christians. By Christians, I am referring to Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and most Protestants. I do not include those cultish groups that reject what the Holy Spirit has been doing in the Christian churches for the past 2,000 years. You’ll understand what that means as you continue this journey. How surprised will you be to find out how much actually unites Christians!

Let's look at the first ten of who knows how many truths that unite all Christians (all quotes from the The World English Bible simply because it's in the Public Domain):

1. Good News

All Christians believe that the four Gospels are the Good News. “The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1)

2. The Word

All Christians believe that Jesus is the Word of God who was incarnate, became flesh. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God… And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1-2, 14)

3. Gabriel and Zacharias

All Christians believe that Zacharias was mute until his son John the Baptist was born because he doubted what Gabriel told him. “Behold, you will be silent and not able to speak, until the day that these things will happen, because you didn't believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time." (Luke 1:20)

4. Highly Favored and Blessed Mary

All Christians agree with Gabriel’s message. "Rejoice [Hail], you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!" (Luke 1:28b) All Christians agree that Mary found favor with God. “The angel said to her, "Don't be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God." (vs. 30) All Christians agree with Elizabeth’s blessing of Mary. “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (vs. 42b) All Christians agree with Mary that, “all generations will call me blessed.” (vs. 48b)

6. Kingdom without End

All Christians believe that, “There will be no end to his [Jesus’] Kingdom." (Luke 1:33b)

7. Virgin Mary

All Christians believe that Jesus was born of a Virgin. “Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?’ " (Luke 1:34)

8. God’s Holy Name

All Christians believe that God’s name is holy. “Holy is his name.” (Luke 1:49b)

9. God’s Mercy

All Christians believe that, “His mercy is for generations of generations on those who fear him.” (Luke 1:50)

10. John’s Ministry

All Christians believe the words of Zacharias regarding his son John’s ministry, “you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the remission of their sins” (Luke 1:76b-77).

Unity in the Church

Western Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches claim to be the one true church. Some Baptist, seventh day and Restoration churches claim to be the one true church. When Jesus prayed that his church be one did he mean in administration or in spirit? Since the beginning, there were five separate administrative areas within the Roman Empire in Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem and Rome. Outside the Roman Empire were also separate church administrations, such as in India, Armenia and Assyria.

To say that these were divided because they did not all fall under Rome or Constantinople is not true. Throughout the entire Christian Church, we agree on so much more that truly unites us in Christ. To deny communion to those who are in Christ is the height of human arrogance and a sin against the church which is far more unified than divided.

We agree that God is spirit, has personality, is gentle, love, kind, compassionate, faithful, forgiving, good, just, Life, inhabits eternity, unchanging, holy, righteous, just, truthful, immanent, transcendent, 3 in One.

We agree that Jesus is the Lord, God of the Hebrew Scriptures, God with us, the angels are his angels, he judges the world, he is both human and divine, born of a virgin, died for our sins.

We agree that the Holy Spirit makes choices, teaches, guides people into truth, reveals Jesus, convicts of sin, seals believers, can be grieved, can be blasphemed, possesses a rational mind, can be lied to, can be quenched, can be resisted, is distinguished from yet related to the Father and the Son, is a person, is God, Comforter and the “Spirit of Christ”.

We agree that the Angels are God's servants, ministering spirits serving the heirs of salvation, individual persons who can have curiosity, shout praises, and they have choice because some chose disobedience, holy angels rejoice in the salvation of believers, serving, protecting, encouraging and relaying God’s will to them. Satan is called the god of this age, the prince of this world, the prince of the power of the air, evil one, thief and the tempter. He is also called a murderer, the father of lies, the great dragon and prince of demons. His final end is the lake of fire.

We agree that humans are created in the likeness of God with a similar but limited ability to reason, rule over the earth and were created to have a relationship with God. We are essentially two parts, material and non-material, created to have a relationship with God, requiring trust

We agree that sin means a range of things from simply missing the mark to abject moral evil and that the consequences of sin are eternal separation from God. Our sins prevent us from finding true joy and happiness, but God offers us his help

We agree that God is revealed in the Bible, in creation, in Jesus Christ and other special ways.

We agree that salvation comes from God and not ourselves, and that applies to being saved from sickness and calamity today as well as for eternity and that salvation is open to all people of the world.

We all agree that Jesus established his church as an assembly of Christians as the body of Christ, a family, a vine and branches, the pillar and ground of the truth, a living temple that grows, a holy temple in which God dwells, a holy nation, a royal priesthood, living stones around the cornerstone, and salt and light. Church gatherings are places to be strengthened in faith, to be spiritually fed, a place for prophecy or inspired preaching, a place for collections for the saints, to learn of God’s wisdom, to get spiritually cleansed, to sing God’s praises, and a place to be healed.

We agree that there will come an end of all material things, that we will all die, Jesus will come again, there is a resurrection, and a judgment where our eternal state will be finalized.

We agree that this message is so important that it must be taken into all the world.

Jesus prayed that we would be one, not in human administration, but as the Father and He are one (John 17:20-23). That is God’s purpose in us. The only thing that perpetuates any division is the arrogant idea that we must all be administered by the same human beings, when we are in reality all administered by the same heavenly beings.