Bound Together in Christ and His Word

He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles … and when they perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship (Galatians 2:8, 9).

Several years ago I pastored a congregation that met only a block from another Bible-grounded congregation. As we began our Sunday morning worship, I announced that I was cancelling the service and asked everyone to walk down the street with me to worship with the people of the Sellwood Baptist Church.

Pastor Mike Wilson and I were in agreement on 99.9% of our Christian beliefs. Mike and I were bound together in Christ and His Word, and our congregations were likewise bound.

Unbeknownst to the folks at Sellwood Baptist, we arrived to support and encourage them, but it was in more than in words and good wishes. I asked my flock to make their financial giving for the entire month of July to the Baptist congregation; and they gladly gave!

Christianity is not a competition; it’s a relay race which we all run as a team.

When Paul met the other apostles, he noted that they had no interest in building their own ministries at the expense of the other apostles. Each man had his own labor for Christ, yet rejoiced in the work of the others.

Rather than taking pride in our own ministry, we should celebrate what God is doing through all who hold to the true gospel of Christ. Jesus and the truth of the Scripture bind believers together; but where unity of truth languishes, there is no genuine unity in Christian worship or service.