The Unity of the Gospel

Fourth Quarter: 2011 apadilla88@hotmail.com, apaza39@hotmail.com

INTRODUCTIONAre you a "splitter" or "adder"? In biology, for example, to catalog a species , the adder will seek the category in which the specimen has more characteristics in common, the divisor will focus on the differences and multiply the categories and sub categories. These two trends also exist in the church.

INTRODUCTION

• Are you a “splitter” or an “adder”? Comment your answer

INTRODUCCIONThe adders will seek the unity. Sometimes at any cost, they will ignore the immorality or heresy. Splitters will tend to divide the church because of doctrine or practices that have little to do with themes of faith. Paul looked for unity as an adder, but he only accepted it if it was based on the gospel.

INTRODUCTION

There are "independent ministries" and "support ministries" that claim to work with the church. What is your opinion about them?

INTRODUCTION• Expected Learning:

Explain the concept of the unity of the gospel in the context of the unity of the church and decide to promote the unity in the diversity with responsibility

OUTLINE

I. Know: Unity in the church is fundamental

II. Feel: Concern for the truth of salvation

III. Do: Unity in the diversity

a. It is organizationalI. CHURCH UNITY

Why was it important for Paul's unity in the church when he wrote tothe Corinthians?“that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.” 1 Cor 1:10

a. It is organizationalI. CHURCH UNITY

With Gentiles and Jews divided Christ had been divided, the evangelization of the Gentile world would be frustrated. When nonbelievers perceive a cluttered and confusing church they wonder if there is something worthwhile for which to be a Christian

a. It´ is theologicalI. CHURCH UNITY

Why circumcision was a controversial issue Between Paul and certain Christians Jewish?“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thingthat counts is faith expressing itself through love”

Gal. 5:6

The problem was not about circumcision, but about salvation. Salvation is by faith alone in Christ, not earned by human obedience. The church is to reflect God in a harmonious unity in its doctrines

b. It is theologicalI. CHURCH UNITY

a. Salvation through faith in Christ

II. THE TRUTH OF SALVATION

•What reasons does Paul give to confront Peter publicly?“When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?” Gal 2:14

If Judaizers triumphed, then the gospel of salvation by faith in the atoning death of Jesus would be supplanted by the doctrine of salvation by works of the law. "The truth of the Gospel" would not be proclaimed any more.

a. Salvation through faith in Christ

II. THE TRUTH OF SALVATION

b. Two groups, one gospel of freedom

III. UNITY IN DIVERSITY

•What did unity mean in the diversity of the primitive church?• “On the contrary, they recognized that I had

been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised.” Gal 2:7

Acts 11:25

The message for both groups was the same, only the condition differed from those to whom it was given. There were two kinds of listeners who preach: to Jews and Gentiles but one gospel of freedom. (Gal 2:4)

a. Two groups, one gospel of freedom

III. UNITY IN DIVERSITY

CONCLUSION

•Explain the characteristics of unity in the church•How can we avoid contaminating the gospel when trying to control people with our own ideas?

CONCLUSION• What have we learned today?• Unity is a characteristic of the Christian

church.• Unity is to live in harmony and it is based in

the gospel: Christ• What can we do now with what we learned?

CONCLUSIONConsider some of your church situations that need to be solved in fulfilling the mission of preaching Christ. How would you act to be an adder and a divider in search of unity? Ask God for wisdom in prayer and act in the name of the Lord

Elaborado por:•Mag. Alfredo Padilla ChávezUniversidad Peruana Unión – Facultad de Ciencias Humanas y Educación•Escríbenos para recibir semanalmente este material a: apadilla88@hotmail.com•Visite:https://gramadal.wordpress.comwww.escuelasabaticavirtual.tkLIMA – PERÚ