Let Christian Unity Be Our Polar Star
Based on John 17:20-26
Rev. Dr. Leslie Taylor, preaching
How many of you have heard these phrases: "No creed but Christ, No book but the Bible, No law but love, No name but the Divine," "The Church of Jesus Christ on earth is essentially, intentionally, and constitutionally one," or "We are Christians only, but we are not the only Christians'? These are familiar mottos of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
One of the key scriptural foundations of the movement is Jesus' prayer for the Disciples. In John Chapter 17, Jesus is preparing for his death and praying to God on behalf of his followers (the twelve named disciples and the thousands of other followers he had attracted over the last three years). He prays for their unity and their ability to recognize God within each other.
As a representative of the Christian Church in Northern California-Nevada, I had the privilege of attending the Fellowship of Regional Moderators (FORM) in Bethany, West Virginia, last week. This location, which holds a special place in the history of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), was not just a venue for learning but also a space for fellowship and sharing. It was here that I delved into the origins of the Disciples as a movement — a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.
Some of the founders of our denomination included father and son Thomas Campbell and Alexander Campbell (both from Bethany, West Virginia) and Barton Stone, from Cane Ridge, in Kentucky. The Campbells were the founders of the Disciples of Christ. Stone was a leader of the Christian Church and joined the Campbellites (Disciples). This is why we are the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Walter Scott was a good friend of Alexander Campbell and developed the "Five-Finger Exercise" to teach the basics of the faith (Confession, Repentance, Baptism, Forgiveness of Sin, and the Gift of the Holy Spirit.)
This Sunday, I will share some of what I learned about who we are and why we do what we do.
Music this week:
Hallelujah (your love is amazing)
Because of your Love
I Could Sing of Your Love, Forever
Holy Spirit Rain Down
They’ll Know We Are Christians
One Bread, One Body