What other scriptures emphasize unity among God's people like Ezekiel 37:16? Setting the scene: Ezekiel 37:16 “ And you, son of man, take a stick for yourself and write on it, ‘Belonging to Judah and to the Israelites associated with him.’ Then take another stick and write on it, ‘Belonging to Joseph—the stick of Ephraim—and to all the house of Israel associated with him.’ ” Old-Testament echoes of oneness • Psalm 133:1 — “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!” • Jeremiah 32:39 — “I will give them one heart and one way, so that they will always fear Me…” • Isaiah 11:13 — “Ephraim will not be jealous of Judah, nor will Judah be hostile toward Ephraim.” • Zephaniah 3:9 — “…all may call upon the name of the LORD and serve Him shoulder to shoulder.” Messiah’s prayer for unity • John 17:21 – 23 – v 21 “I pray that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You…” – v 22 “I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one—” – v 23 “…that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me…” Early-church life together • Acts 2:44 — “All the believers were together and had everything in common.” • Acts 4:32 — “The multitude of believers were of one heart and mind.” Paul’s teaching on one body • 1 Corinthians 1:10 — “…that there be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction.” • Romans 12:4-5 — “So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” – “Make every effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. – There is one body and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all…” • Colossians 3:14 — “And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.” • Galatians 3:28 — “…for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Apostolic reminders • 1 Peter 3:8 — “Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble.” Living the message today • Treasure the God-given unity; protect it instead of creating it. • Let love be the “bond of perfect unity” in every gathering. • Keep eyes on the one Lord, one faith, one baptism—He is the common center that holds us together. |
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