Unity Through Christ

Those of us who are united we are united through Christ.

Today I started my adventure of searching for unity in my town through denominations. Myself and my friend Cameron began our journey of church visiting/shopping. The first church we visited was First Baptist Church of Pella, Iowa. The adventure from the parking lot to the pew got us laughing, made us feel awkward, and a little lost. The church was very welcoming. We attended the 11 o’clock contemporary service which started with 25 people and ended with 40 people. The pastor was very friendly and knew the members of the church and called them by name, The only visible difference was the baptismal fount that we see in our church was replaced with a dunk tank.

The message was based on Luke 18 and Jesus and the Little Children. The disciples were hindering what Jesus wanted to do. The disciples wanted Jesus to use his time for more important things like spending time with them. How often in our own lives do we stray from what Jesus wants us to do because we are too busy or selfish to do what he wants us to do.

Another point from the message was this whole idea of Come. Jesus said let the little children come to me. This relates to the Greek word hapto. Hapto means touched but in the gospels it means to set on fire. During the encounter sof Jesus healing he is setting people on fire. In Jesus touch he is gripes the power of the Holy Spirit to our hearts, minds, souls, and situations. We can not hapto ourselves. We can not rely on our own power or strength. All we can do is come to Jesus and allow him to start a fire in our lives.

One of the things that really struck me in light of Church unity is how kids receive the kingdom like a child. I heard a story this past fall of a four year old little boy who at the local McDonald’s was talking with a murderer who was wanted in Florida for killing two people. This little boy did not see him as a murderer but just a man because they did not know any better. Kids can play with other kids of different races, gender, social classes, and denominations because they did not know any better. The people of First Baptist did not know any better. They did not know who we were or where we were from they treated us as fellow followers of Christ. In fact on the top of the bulletin it said, “ In a Spirit of love and fellowship let us be appreciative of the uniqueness of each one present. Welcome fellow children of God! Welcome!” That is what it felt like a welcome from fellow followers. There may be minor differences of when and how we baptize but in the end we are searching for one goal to Abide in Him and produce good fruit.