Sectarian divisions were wrong in the apostolic age and they are wrong today.
Acts 4:32: “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.”
Paul denounces division in no uncertain terms.
I Corinthians 1:10: “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
Paul foresaw divisions entering the church.
Acts 20: 29 – 30: “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30.Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.”
The members of the Church of God form the body of Christ.
I Corinthians 12: 27: “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”
All members working in harmony with one another under the control of the head make up the beautiful Bride of Christ.
Ephesians 5:27: “That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
Unsanctified persons cannot enjoy perfect unity because carnality produces the very opposite of unity… strife and division.
I Corinthians 3:1-3: “1.And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2.I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3.For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?”
Sanctification is necessary to achieve Christian unity. So prayed Jesus.
Division has always been a curse to God’s church.
I Corinthians 1:10: “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
Unity is based upon our relationship in Christ. Being born into the family of God by spiritual birth we are one in him.
Ephesians 4:4-6: “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5.One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6.One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
As the members of the natural body work harmoniously with one another in their particular places so do the members of the body of Christ fill various places.
Unity is perfected through the virtue of the New Birth and the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit.
The Bible must be the only rule of faith. All man made creeds and disciplines must be rejected as the basis of unity.
True unity comes only as we are one in Christ. There is then perfect fellowship regardless of race, age, sex, intellectual, social or material position in life.
Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”