One church—many congregations?
When I pastored, I tried, unsuccessfully, to change people’s thinking. When I prayed for the “churches” in our city, I would try to remember—there is ONE church in our city that meets in various congregations! Upon what did I base this? 1. Jesus’ prayer: John 17: 22 -23 (NIV) I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one — 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me . 2. The essence of the entire scripture. There were not various groups, fighting, ignoring each other, but there was the people of God. 1 Peter 2:10 (NIV) Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. ...