The Unity of the
Gospel
INTRODUCTION
Are 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
INTRODUCCION
The 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. 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
I. 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
I. 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 thing
that counts is faith expressing itself through love”
Gal. 5:6
I. CHURCH UNITY
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
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
II. THE TRUTH OF SALVATION
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.
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
III. UNITY IN DIVERSITY
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)
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?
CONCLUSION
Consider 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 Chávez
Universidad Peruana Unión – Facultad de Ciencias Humanas y
Educación
• Escríbenos para recibir semanalmente este material a:
apadilla88@hotmail.com
• Visite:
https://gramadal.wordpress.com
www.escuelasabaticavirtual.tk
LIMA – PERÚ