The Unity Creed
The Unity Creed
We as the global Church, throughout history and geography, believe that without unity of believers as seen in the Bible, those without a saving faith will be unable to fully see the Lord and the hearts of the naïve will be deceived. We also believe that unless we abide in Jesus and His love, our faith will not be as fruitful as it can be.
Therefore:
We believe that it is good and pleasant when believers are unified
because through true biblical unity,
God is glorified and we, as the Body of Christ,
will reflect that glory and the unity of the Trinity in such a way
that the world will see Their glory and love.
We also believe that biblical unity can help lead toward being blameless and innocent in our faith.
We believe that biblical unity is possible by God's love and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
by showing humility, gentleness, and patience,
without grumbling or complaining,
with purified souls and a pure heart,
having obedience to the truth and
above all by love, which is from God, for one another.
We believe that we are to avoid discord and those that cause divisions within the Body of Christ.
Instead we should love others unconditionally and look towards their interests,
being eager to focus on being united in mind and purpose and in full accord,
striving for peace thus living in harmony with one another.
We believe that a key component to harmony with one another is love
and that love is a key component of being a believer in Jesus Christ,
as it is a command and a desire that Jesus had for His disciples,
as well as an encouragement His disciples passed on to future believers.
We believe that God is still active in the world through His Church and that as a unified Body of Christ,
spread across geographic areas and made up of many denominations,
we can do more together than we can alone.
We believe that God is unleashing His Church to be a light in this dark and fallen world,
and that through Church unity, many will come to a saving faith,
believers will deepen their faith together,
and the world will know that we are His disciples.
Historical Background
- Original Language
- English
- Date Adopted
- 2020
- Council or Body
- The Christian Chain
- Location
- Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
Historical Context
The Unity Creed of 2020 was authored by Rev. Christopher D.F. Warrington, MDiv, in Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America. Written in 2020, it emerged from a growing conviction that the global Christian Church needed a clear, contemporary, and biblically-grounded statement affirming the mandate for unity among believers. The creed was endorsed by The Christian Chain, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose vision is to see the Christian Church United and Unleashed.
Unlike the ancient ecumenical creeds — which addressed theological controversies about the nature of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit — the Unity Creed does not adjudicate doctrinal disputes between denominations. Instead, it calls Christians of every tradition to affirm what the Bible plainly teaches: that unity among believers is God's command, Christ's desire, and the means by which the world will recognize the disciples of Jesus.
Key Articles
The Foundation of Unity
Establishes that without unity of believers, those without saving faith cannot fully see the Lord, and that abiding in Christ is essential to fruitful faith.
God Is Glorified Through Unity
Unity among believers glorifies God and reflects the unity of the Trinity, so that the world may see God's glory and love.
Unity and Blamelessness
Biblical unity helps lead believers toward being blameless and innocent in their faith.
How Unity Is Achieved
Unity is made possible through God's love, the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, humility, gentleness, patience, purity of heart, and obedience to the truth.
Avoiding Discord
Believers are called to avoid discord and division, to love unconditionally, and to strive for harmony and peace within the Body of Christ.
Love as the Key to Harmony
Love is the foundation of harmony among believers and the defining mark of disciples of Jesus Christ, commanded by Christ and passed on by the Apostles.
The Active, United Church
God is active in the world through His Church. A unified Body of Christ, across denominations and geographies, can accomplish more together than apart.
The Church Unleashed
Through unity, God is unleashing His Church as a light in the world, leading many to saving faith and deepening believers' faith together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Unity Creed?
The Unity Creed of 2020 is a modern creed — a statement of belief — about what the Bible teaches regarding Church unity. It calls Christians of every denomination to affirm the biblical mandate for unity among all believers in Jesus Christ.
Who wrote the Unity Creed?
The Unity Creed was authored by Rev. Christopher D.F. Warrington, MDiv, in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2020, and endorsed by The Christian Chain, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to seeing the Christian Church United and Unleashed.
When was the Unity Creed written?
The Unity Creed was written and published in 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. It was created in response to the growing need for a clear, biblically-grounded declaration of the importance of unity in the global Church.
What does the Unity Creed teach?
The creed teaches that unity glorifies God and reflects the Trinity; that it is achievable through the Holy Spirit and love; that believers must avoid discord; and that a united Church can more effectively reach the world with the Gospel.
Is the Unity Creed a replacement for the Nicene or Apostles' Creed?
No. The Unity Creed does not replace historical creeds. It addresses a different subject — not the nature of God or Christ, but the biblical call for unity among all believers across every Christian tradition and denomination.
What is The Christian Chain?
The Christian Chain is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Phoenix, Arizona, with the vision to see the Christian Church United and Unleashed. It endorsed the Unity Creed and operates the Unity Accord website.
What does 'The Church United and Unleashed' mean?
It is the vision of The Christian Chain: a unified global Church that transcends denominational barriers and works together to share the Gospel. Unity removes obstacles to mission so the Church can be unleashed into all the world.
What Bible verses support the Unity Creed?
Key scriptures include Psalm 133:1, John 13:34-35, John 17:20-23, Romans 15:5-7, Ephesians 4:1-3, Colossians 3:12-15, Philippians 2:1-4, 1 Peter 3:8, and 1 John 4:7, among many others throughout the New Testament.
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