Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.
Jesus prayed for the one body of Christ, the church of Christ! Jn.17:20-21
1. Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word.
2. That they may all be one; even as thou, Father, (art) in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us:
that the world may believe that thou didst send me.
B. The first dividers! Acts 15:1-5
1. This group still exists as the 7th day Adventist!
2. Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: Unless you are
circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved. Acts 15:1
3. This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them.
So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers,
to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. Acts 15:2
4. Apostle Paul called this group as dogs and mutilators of the flesh. Phil.3:2
C. Apostle Paul emphasized the one body of Christ this way! Eph.4:4-6
1. There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were called-- one Lord,
one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Eph.4:4-6
2. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead,
so that in everything he might have the supremacy. Col.1:18
3. Now I beseech you, brethren, through 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 perfected together in the same
mind and in the same judgment. 1Cor.1:10
4. For it hath been signified unto me concerning you, my brethren, by them (that are of the household)
of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 1Cor.1:11
5. Now this I mean, that each one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos: and I of Cephas;
and I of Christ. 1Cor.1:12
6. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized into the name of Paul? 1Cor.1:13
7. Whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—
All are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God. 1Cor.3:22-23
D. Now handle aright these words of truth.
1. If we claim to be without sin,
we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1John 1:8
2. If we confess our sins,
He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1John 1:9
3. If we claim we have not sinned,
we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. 1John1:10
4. My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.
But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—
Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 1John2:1
5. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but (they went out), that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us. 1John 2:19
E. Depart from the church of Christ is a proof of being a child of the devil. 1John 3:7-10
1. (My) little children, let no man lead you astray: (Must pay attention to this!)
he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous: 1John 3:7
2. He that does sin is of the devil; for the devil sins from the beginning.
To this end was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 1Jn.3:8
3. Whosoever is begotten of God does no sin, because his seed abides in him: and he cannot sin,
because he is begotten of God. 1John 3:9
4. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil:
Whosoever does not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loves not his brother. 1Jn.3:10
This can only mean depart from the church of Christ is no righteousness and no love for bother!