Factions Greetings and Oneness – Chapters 8 and 9 Taken from ONE EKKLESIA

FACTIONS – GREETINGS – ONENESS is the third of the five-part series taken from Henry Hon’s ONE EKKLESIA which is his first in his Trilogy–the titles of the other two books are ONE TRUTH and ONE LIFE & GLORY. Paul’s presentation to the Corinthian believers made “ekklesia” into a verb–as in “when the whole assembly comes together . . . each one has . . . prophesy one by one.” In that assembling Paul shocks us all by stating it is necessary that when we do gather there be FACTIONS among us (1 Cor. 11:19). Yet, most believers have the notion that in order for Christ to be our center, our fellowship, we all have to be a homogeneous group of believers–not so; and why? Because unity with diversity is precisely what constitutes ekklesia. Furthermore, when such diversity shows up at a gathering of believers in Jesus–there could be different races represented; different doctrinal emphases; different practices and styles and, most definitely . . . and since an ekklesia is NOT a ministry . . . it is under the direct headship of Christ–He’s in control! So, factions show up–they’re necessary in order for those who are “approved might be manifested” (1 Cor. 11:19). No elders are mentioned in Paul’s letter, but those “approved” are. These are brethren who are able to “keep the unity of the Spirit in the uniting bond of peace.” Finally, Hon probes the meaning of Romans 16 in “meeting and greeting” all sorts of different brethren–that’s “unity in action!”