By Mike Riley
In Matthew 7:13-14 our Lord stated: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” This passage of scripture is just “one” of many Bible passages teaching “oneness”. In this article, let us consider just a few “oneness” passages in the Bible:
1) David spoke of one path (Psalm 16:11).
2) Solomon spoke of one path (Proverbs 4:18).
3) Isaiah prophesied of one path (Isaiah 35:8).
4) Jeremiah foretold one way (Jeremiah 32:39).
5) Christ said there one way leading unto everlasting life (Matthew 7:13-14).
6) Christ said, “I am the Way” (John 14:6).
7) Christ said there is one door (John 10:9).
8) Christ said there is one Shepherd (John 10:16).
9) Christ said there is one fold (John 10:16).
10) Christ built one church (Matthew 16:18).
11) Christ commissioned the preaching of one Gospel (Mark 16:15-16).
12) Paul knew but one Gospel (Gal. 1:8-9).
13) There is one body (Ephesians 4:4).
14) There is one Spirit (Ephesians 4:4).
15) There is one hope (Ephesians 4:4).
16) There is one Lord (Ephesians 4:5).
17) There is one faith (Ephesians 4:5).
18) There is one baptism (Ephesians 4:5).
19) There is one God (Ephesians 4:6).
20) There is one doctrine (Matthew 7:28; John 7:16-17; Acts 2:42; Acts 5:28; Romans 6:17; Ephesians 4:14; 1 Timothy 1:3; 2 Timothy 4:2-3).
There is “one” way, not “many” ways; “one” path, not “many” paths; “one” door, not “many” doors; “one” fold, not “many” folds; “one” church, not “many” churches; “one” Gospel, not “many” gospels; “one” doctrine, not “many” doctrines; “one” body, not “many” bodies; “one” Spirit, not “many” spirits; “one” hope, not “many” hopes; “one” Lord, not “many” lords; “one” faith, not “many” faiths; “one” baptism, not “many” baptisms; “one” God and Father, not “many” gods and fathers.
Conclusion
There are “many” doctrines of men (Matthew 15:9; Colossians 2:20-22; Hebrews 13:9). There are “many” doctrines of devils (1 Timothy 4:1). A faithful preacher must continue in “the doctrine” of Christ to save himself and those who hear him (1 Timothy 4:16). We are not to receive into our homes or bid Godspeed to those who bring doctrine other than that of Christ (2 John 1:10-11). To do so is to bring “division” into the church of our Lord. Division among the followers of Christ is unscriptural and contrary to Christ’s prayer (John 17:20-21) and Paul’s admonition “that there be no divisions among you” 1 Corinthians 1:10-13).
Let us therefore resolve to adhere to the Bible teaching of “oneness”, “that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27) and not to “the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9; Titus 1:14).