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Some frequently asked questions

A few common questions to start — send us more, or the specific ones you'd like included, and we'll expand this list.

The Lord Jesus prayed,

“...May they be one as We are one.” John 17:21 (HCSB), and again He said, “When the Son of man comes, will He find that faith (in the church)?” Luke 18:8 HCSB

At individual level, the early fathers of the faith shared a lot in common (Acts 2:44). Also, the scriptures referred to the spectacular similarities among believers in Antioch, where these made them up as followers of Christ (Acts 11:26).

Ultimately, the church leaders are to determine what constitutes Christian unity. This was the exclusive preserve of the early fathers of the faith up to the 4th Ecumenical Council.

Jesus sent Ananias to Saul (Paul) to unite him with the Apostolic church (in Jerusalem), Acts 9:10-19. Later, the Apostolic church sent Barnabas, who took John Mark with him to Saul to integrate
him with their group (Acts 9:27; 11:22-26; 12:25...). For Apostle Paul, Christ followers are to have one mind, one spirit (1 Cor 1:10; Phil 1:27).

For Pope, St. John-Paul II, Christian unity was a matter of existential concern to him; what about you?

Not necessarily, but it entails one faith, founded by Christ Jesus, a true faith, uncorrupted by demonic manipulation and dissimulation, exploiting human weaknesses. Disciples should have one heart “one mind” (Rom 15:6).

They will, and should do any or every lawful activity that can bring this about, as inspired by the Holy Spirit - prayers, symposia, inter-denominational dialogues, joint celebrations and a firm commitment by congregations and their Pastors to obeying the Lord on Christian unity as in other matters. These activities will go on year after year until the leadership acts (by coercion or persuasion) to make Christians feel they are one, irrespective of which worship center or group they belong to; goodness to one is goodness to all!

Oh Yes, they will be totally submissive to their pastors, and to no one else, except the Holy Spirit. They will be part of the solution, but not part of the problem. They are expected to display such wisdom, faith, humility and single purpose (gifts of the Holy Spirit) that they will be great assets to institution they belong to, and no pastor will like to dispense with them.

They are expected to form their group and function within the institution (or denomination) they belong to, at the parish, diocese and national levels; and outside that institution, to collaborate with kindred bodies at city, state or provincial levels and at national level, helping one another to grow and to
become more effective across denominational divide.

To bring about unanimity or unison among Christians, the leaders are expected to think, plan, act together and liaise with one another – first, within their denominations and then within territorial or political boundaries, such as city, province, state or national and regional levels to forge a consensus on the need for a high level of uniformity or congruence in faith by adherents of the Christian religion. For example, that they forge an accord on sin, love, forgiveness, marriage,
divorce, ordination, canonization and that they cooperate in evangelism – i.e. general agreement on the basic or minimum tenets of the faith we profess. The leaders decide how to go about forging this unity, the need for a persona Christi (or Christ's representative) to preside over the higher council of such colloquiums, the basic or minimum tenets which a teacher (or pastor) of the faith must believe in to be a founder or establish a church or gathering of his own, etc. The same colloquium will go on at regional and international levels.

God answers prayers, and with the prayers of the society members and of the leaders, the Holy
Spirit, the Helper, will guide and lead all to a destination that is in accord with Jesus’ will and
indeed, the will of God.

Christian groups should strive to love one another and to expand the area and level of cooperation
between them, especially in the area of evangelism.

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