Towards the Unity of the Church

By Christopher Bryant

Journey into the heart of the early church through Bishop Bryant's exploration of unity in Paul's letter to the Ephesians. Amidst a pluralistic culture steeped in idolatry and spiritual warfare, Paul calls believers to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called." Bryant ushers you through Paul's profound teachings on the cardinal unities that bind the church together - one body, one spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God. Travel through this influential ancient city as Bryant unpacks Paul's vision for maturity and harmony within the diverse body of Christ. Discover timeless wisdom for pursuing truth in love, gifts-based service, and spiritual growth across barriers of human division. Allow this substantive study to inspire your own journey toward realizing Christ's prayer "that they may all be one."

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Greater Than Publishing Group
• Release date: Dec 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223697626

Christopher Bryant

Christopher Bryant is a maverick omnipreneur and a Bishop in the United Anglican Convergence Church. A person who has struggled with fear in the past, he believes it was his Faith in God and application of spiritual principles that allowed him to overcome. Now he releases this devotional to you so you too can experience freedom from fear. He comes home everyday to his wife Maisha, and their two children, Gracie and Haddie.

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The Rt. Rev. Christopher Bryant, PhD

Towards the Unity of the Church

First published by The Greater Than Publishing Group 2023

Copyright © 2023 by The Rt. Rev. Christopher Bryant, PhD

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

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Contents

Introduction

1. Unity of Discipline

2. The Cardinal Unities of the Church

3. Unity in Diversity: The One Body of Christ

4. The Unifying Power of the One Spirit

5. The One Hope of Your Calling

6. The One Lord: Unifying Under Christ’s Sovereignty

7. The One Faith: Our Shared Convictions

8. The One Baptism: The Unifying Rite of Passage

9. The One God: The Source and Sustainer of Unity

10. Unity in Victory: Receiving the Spoils of War

11. Unity Through Leadership

12. Unity Through Maturity

13. The Symphony of Unity: A Harmonious Conclusion

References

Introduction

In the heart of an ancient metropolis, surrounded by the grandeur of towering temples and the hum of bustling marketplaces, a message of unity and love was kindled. This is the backdrop of the Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians, a letter entrenched in the struggle between spiritual darkness and the illuminating power of faith. Penned in A.D. 62, this profound missive emerged from the apostle’s time in Ephesus, a city steeped in pagan worship and fervent religious plurality. Yet, it was here that Paul sought to unify Christ’s Church, against all odds.

The city of Ephesus was a nexus of worldly and divine powers. It was a sanctuary for worshippers of gods such as Artemis, Julius Caesar, and the goddess Roma. Its state agora housed the bema, the judgment seat, a symbol of the city’s political and judicial prowess. Amidst this fervor, Paul found himself in numerous power encounters with demons, an unsettling testament to the spiritual warfare that ran rampant within Ephesus. His influence grew such that the sons of Sceva, Jewish exorcists, attempted to emulate him, replacing their rituals with modified versions of Paul’s words.

Our journey through this book will unravel the profound implications of the Apostle’s teachings, beginning with a single pivotal word: therefore. This word marks a call to retrospection, a beckoning towards the underlying reasons behind Paul’s imprisonment and his unwavering dedication to the Gentile mission. His chains were not a sign of defeat, but a testament to his commitment to spreading the Gospel, a fact he unflinchingly presents to the Ephesians.

As we delve deeper into this missive, we will explore the Apostle’s plea to the Ephesians, to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, (Ephesians 4:1). His words echo down the centuries, as pertinent now as they were then. This book is an invitation to journey through the tumultuous spiritual landscape of Ephesus, to witness the birth of a message of unity under Christ, and to discover the profound love and strength that Paul prayed the Ephesians—and by extension, all readers of this Epistle—would come to know.

Together, we will unlock the timeless wisdom contained within the Epistle to the Ephesians, learning from Paul’s extraordinary experiences and teachings, as we seek to understand the true essence of unity in Christ’s Church amidst a world of religious plurality. Welcome to an exploration of faith, perseverance, and divine love as we navigate the historic