Christian Unity and Diversity

Church unity allows for, and is dependent upon, the diversity of it’s members. In Ephesians chapter 4 verses 7 and 11 we read “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers”. The disjunctive term ‘but’ indicates that while the emphasis in the previous verses had been on church unity, Paul is now changing emphasis and examining the diversity that occurs within the church united.

As Christians we are monotheists, we believe that there is only one God and that God is one. However, as we read in the Apostles creed, we also believe in God the Father, and God the Son, and in God the Holy Spirit. God himself is one – completely unified in substance and essence, but God is nonetheless many – for God exists in the persons of the Father and the Son and the Spirit. In the same way, the church is one body; a unified and organic whole which is nonetheless composed of diverse members each having a diversity of spiritual gifts which is meant to build up and serve the body.

We tend to confuse the concept of unity with the idea of uniformity or sameness. It’s tempting to believe that in order to be united we must all be exactly the same in every respect. We can mistakenly believe that we should all be identical, much like the mass-produced precisely-machined cogs of our industrial world. But the unity of the church is dependent upon it’s very diversity and Christ has given each one of us roles and gifts which are to be used to strengthen the church body. Make no mistake, we have all been given a unique and vital role for verse seven says that ‘to each one of us grace has been given’ and verse 16 reads “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work”.

As individual believers we are enabled by God to do the works of service which God has called us to perform. God never calls someone into service without also empowering them to excel in that service. When Paul says that “to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it” he means that you and I have been given sufficient power to succeed in whatever role Christ has chosen in building up the church body. Exodus 31 gives a great illustration gods grace being apportioned to men for the building up of the church. God says in that text “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts- to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you”. Wherever God leads our local church and whatever task God gives to this local body, we can be sure that God has given this corporate body the skill, and knowledge, and ability to succeed and excel.

Unlike this modern world where unity is pursued but without a basis and diversity (genetic and behavioral) is pursued as it's own end, the Christian church has a solid foundation for both unity and diversity. We are united by having one Lord and one Father and one Baptism; we are united in identity but diverse in function for God has given different gifts to men.