Biblical Support

Brief Explanation on the Biblical Support

Below you will find the various biblical references that were used when creating the Unity Creed, Unity Accord and "Why Does Unity Matter" documents. As you read, you can hover over the references to see further information or be taken to the biblical reference online to see the passage in context.

Please also note: Many of the passages are repeated because that one passage speaks to different aspects of unity. The various parts that support the aspect of unity the verse is listed under are marked like this. This emphasis is just for reference and is not representative of the original text. Please also note that when Scripture talks of unity within the Body of Christ often the descriptors of love and peace are attributed. As you read these references, how many times do you see these words connected?

Result of Unity / Why We Should Strive for Unity

• "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!" (Psalm 133:1)
• "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35.)
• "If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love." (John 15:6–9)
• "that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me." (John 17:21-23)
• "that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God," (Romans 15:6-7)
• "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4)
• "Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world," (Philippians 2:14-15)
• "Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." (Colossians 3:12-15)
• "Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." (2 Corinthians 13:14)
• "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God." (1 John 4:7)

A Command of Jesus

• "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." (John 13:34.)
• "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. ... These things I command you, so that you will love one another." (John 15:12-13, 17)
• "And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother." (1 John 4:21)

A Command from the Apostles

By Paul

• "Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (Romans 12:9–10)
• "Live in harmony with one another." (Romans 12:16)
• "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." (Romans 12:18)
• "May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. (Romans 15:5–7)
• "I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive." (Romans 16:17–18)
• "I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment." (1 Corinthians 1:10)
• "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."  (Ephesians 4:1–3)
• "So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:1–4)

By Peter

• "Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart," (1 Peter 1:22)
• "Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind." (1 Peter 3:8)

By John

• "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God." (1 John 4:7)
• "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." (1 John 4:11)

By Others

• "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14)

Jesus' Desire

• “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one," (John 17:20–22.)

Reflecting Christ/God/Trinity

• "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." (John 13:34)
• “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one," (John 17:20–22.)

By what Power/How

• "May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." (Romans 15:5–7)
• "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:1–3)
• "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3)
• "Do all things without grumbling or disputing," (Philippians 2:14)
• "And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body." (Colossians 3:14–15)
• "Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart," (1 Peter 1:22)
• "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God." (1 John 4:7)

Result of Discord

• "For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive." (Romans 16:18)
• "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14)

Result without Love

• "If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love." (John 15:6–9)