I am thankful that we are called as humble followers of the Lamb, into one body only, where the peace of God rules in every heart. “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.” Eph. 2:19. God has a household of saints here upon the earth where peace rules. A contentious, quarrelsome, divided family is no part of God's united household. One family in heaven and earth. Eph. 3:15. It is with great reluctancy that we pass by so many beautiful [pg 136] texts upon this subject, but we will only quote a few more lest this volume swell to too great proportions. “Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: ... neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them as thou hast loved me.” John 17:11, 12, 20-23.
Blessed oneness of God's own,
Like the Father and the Son;
One on earth like heav'n above,
Bound with cords of perfect love.
O holy Christian band, filled with Heaven's love,
Living in sweet accord like angels above.
Divisions Condemned.
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them; For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches [pg 137] deceive the hearts of the simple.” Rom. 16:17, 18. From the apostle they had learned the doctrine of oneness; he now warns them to avoid any contrary doctrine. “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.” 1 Cor. 12:25. By consulting your dictionary you will find the word “schism” to be synonymous with the word “sect.” “A man that is a heretic after the first and second admonition reject.” Titus 3:10. Many translators have rendered heretic, sectarian.
“For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.” 1 Cor. 11:18, 19. Heresies and divisions are here spoken of as meaning about the same thing; or rather divisions are occasioned by heresies. If you will look in the margin of your reference Bible you will find this word translated “sect.”