Editor’s Note
On January 12, Tennessee Bible College remembers and honors the birthday of our founder, Malcolm L. Hill (1934–2012). In recognition of his life, preaching, and dedication to the truth of God’s Word, we are pleased to share the following article on unity.
This article was originally written in 2007 and appeared under the section “From the Preacher’s Viewpoint” in the church bulletin of the Northeast Church of Christ. Though nearly two decades old, Brother Hill’s words remain timely, biblical, and urgently needed in our day.
From the Preacher’s Viewpoint
We are living in a day when we hear the call for unity in religion on every hand. Many of the larger churches of Christ have already compromised the truth and have joined the denominational call for unity at any price. The request for unity is not a new one. The denominations have been calling for unity in religion for many years.
Many misunderstand the nature of Christianity. They look on the broad side and want to include all who believe in Christ into their fellowship. How many times have you heard the call for unity “as Christians”? All who have included themselves under the umbrella of Christianity have been saying for years, you go your way and I will go mine, and let us live together in peace. They tell us we are all striving for the same place. This, perhaps, is true, but we must strive lawfully or according to the Bible (II Tim. 2:5).
We are not free to do as we please when it comes to salvation issues. Jesus had this in mind when He said, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household” (Matt. 10:34–36).
Christ knew that some would accept His word, and He also knew that some would not. Compromise often settles issues. But Christianity is not a religion of compromise, and this can be seen by the author of Christianity, Jesus Christ. Had Christ been a man of no principles, He would never have died on the cross. Had He given in to the people of His day, He would never have been crucified. The religious people of His day rejected Him because He would not join them in their religious activities. Christ taught against their false doctrine, and this angered them (Matt. 15:8–15).
To those of the church of Christ who want unity with the denominations we ask, what are you willing to give up in order to have religious unity? Are you willing to give up the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7)? Are you willing to add an instrument of music to the worship of God? We are told to sing, but we are not told to sing and play (Eph. 5:19). There is as much authority to have ham and eggs on the Lord’s Table as there is to have an instrument in worship. Are you willing to give up water baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38)? Are you willing to give up Christ as the Son of God (Jn. 8:21, 25)? Are you willing to give up the Bible and accept the Quran and its teaching? Are you willing to give up the God of the Bible to have unity in the world?
There is no stopping place when one gives up one salvation Bible doctrine. In actuality, one winds up with no religion at all when he starts pushing Bible doctrine aside for the teachings of man.
I am willing to give up my opinions to have Bible unity. I am willing to give up any false doctrine I have to have Bible unity. I am willing to accept different personalities in order to have Bible unity. I am willing to give up obscure things in order to have unity based on the Bible. I am willing to forgive in order to have Bible unity. I am willing to give up anything that the Bible does not authorize in order to have Bible unity.
The only way to have Bible unity in religion is to do what the Bible authorizes and only what the Bible authorizes (Col. 3:16; Matt. 4:4; Matt. 16:19). I am willing to do this. Are you?
— Malcolm L. Hill
About the Author
Malcolm L. Hill was the founder of Tennessee Bible College and devoted his life to preaching, teaching, and defending the unity of God’s people based upon the authority of Scripture.