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REFERENCE: Unity of the Church

I'm actually working on creating a document that lists the references in the Bible and the Early Church fathers to a specific topic. I thought I would post one of the sections to see if there is interest in me posting some of the others.

Biblical references are always listed first (regardless of date) and formatted as so: Verse. Short synopsis of content and other comments.

Early Church Father references are formatted as so: Author Name of Work. Date – traditional numbering (Jurgen’s Faith of the Early Fathers Numbering). Short synopsis of content and other comments.

This is a reference listing the verses/discussions on the Unity of the Church:

• Matthew 12:25. Jesus saying a divided kingdom falls
  
• Matthew 16:18. Creation of the Church – powers of hell/death will not prevail
  
• John 10:16. “there shall be one flock, one shepherd”
  
• John 17:20-23. Jesus’ prayer that we may be one so others will believe.
  
• Acts 4:32. The early church was “one heart and one soul”
  
• Romans 16:17. Avoid those who create dissentions and difficulties.
  
• 1 Corinthians 1:10-13. Paul instructs them to agree and have no dissensions.
  
• 1 Corinthians 3:2-4. Continuation of the above – we are “flesh” when we argue.
  
• 1 Corinthians 10:17. We are “one body” since we partake of the “one bread”
  
• 1 Corinthians 11:18 ff. What causes dissention: lack of Eucharistic unity.
  
• 1 Corinthians 12:12-30. We are all parts of the “one body” of Christ.
  
• 1 Corinthians 14:33. God is “not a God of confusion.”
  
• Ephesians 4:1-4. There is “one body” and we should be “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit.”
  
• Philippians 1:27. we must “stand firm in one spirit, with one mind.”
  
• Philippians 2:2. Paul asks that we be of the same mind.
  
• 1 Timothy 6:3-6. Condemnation of those who dissent. Also Paul instructs that we should be content.
  
• Titus 3:10. Beware the “factious” man.
  
• St. Ignatius of Antioch Letter to the Ephesians. c. 110 A.D. – 20,2 (43). Stresses the importance of our one Church; we should listen to the Bishop with an “undivided” mind.
  
• St. Ignatius of Antioch Letter to the Magnesians. c. 110 A.D. – 12, 1 (47a). Tells us to be obedient to the Bishop, “so that there may be unity in both body and in spirit.”
  
• St. Ignatius of Antioch Letter to the Philadelphians. c. 110 A.D. – 7,1 (58a). Ignatius contends the the Holy Spirit spoke through him in calling for obedience to the Bishops. Also, “Do nothing without the Bishop” and “love unity.”
  
• St. Ignatius of Antioch Letter to the Smyrnaeans. c. 110 A.D. – 1,1 (62). “united in a single body in His Church.”
  
• The Martyrdom of St. Polycarp. c. 155/157 A.D. – Address (77). Clearly designates all of the “churches” as “dioceses” of the “holy and Catholic Church.”
  
• Hermas The Shepherd. c. 140-155 A.D. – Vis. 3, 5, 1 (84). Describes the Church as a building of stones, each stone is an apostle or bishop that fit because they are in unity. Notes that some “have fallen asleep” and “some are still alive.”
  
• Hermas The Shepherd. c. 140-155 A.D. – Par. 9, 17, 4 (93). Indicates that the believers have “one understanding and one mind.” Notes that as we enter the Church, we “receive the seal” – an interesting reference to Revelation.
  
• St. Irenaeus Against Heresies. c. 180-199 A.D. – 1, 10, 2 (192). A discourse on the unity of the faith across countries, languages, etc. “For the faith is one.”
  

God bless,
Jay