Christ prayed that those who believed should be
one through the apostles' words. John 17:20, 21. Unity defined: Christ prayed that those who believed should be
one through the apostles' words. John 17:20, 21. Unity defined:
1. ONE BODY. Founder: Jesus Christ, Matthew
16:18. I will build my church. Foundation: Jesus Christ, 1 Corinthians
3:11. Place: Jerusalem Luke 24:47, Acts 2. Time: A.D. 30, Acts
2. Church of Christ, Romans 16:16. Kingdom, Colossians 1:13, Ephesians
1:20-23.
2 ONE SPIRIT. Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19.
A Person, not simply a Force. John 16:12-14.
3 ONE HOPE. A Living Hope, 1 Peter 1:3. Reserved
in Heaven, 1 Peter 1:4. Glory, Honor, Immortality, Peace, Romans
2:7, 10. Common Salvation, Jude 3.
4. ONE LORD. Prince of Peace, Isaiah 9:6.
Eternal Father, Isaiah 9:6. Jesus Christ, Acts 2:36. God, 1 John
1:1. King, Hebrews 1:9. Therefore, Jesus is a manifestation of
God.
5. ONE FAITH. New Testament, Hebrews 10:9.
Gospel, Galatians 1:6-9. Teachings of Christ, 2 John 9. We are
not to add to God's Word. 2 John 9.
6 ONE BAPTISM. Immersion, Romans 6:4. For
Remission of Sins, Acts 2:38. Water Baptism, Acts 8:36. Baptized
into Christ, Galatians 3:27. Baptized into the church, 1 Corinthians
12:13. Believers, only, were baptized; no babies.
7. ONE GOD. Father of All, Ephesians 4:6.
Creator, Genesis 1:1. Judge of mankind, Romans 2:16. He is Love,
1 John 4:16. He is a Consuming Fire, Hebrews 12:29.
All else is vanity and sinful. Matthew 15:9. Every
plant/church not planted by God shall be rooted up. Matthew 15:13.
Editor's Note: I discovered the above, hand-written
outline by my uncle, brother John Pittman, in one of the many
books his wife, my aunt Delphine, has sent to me following his
death. Uncle John was an exceptional person. I remember his standing
up many years ago with his Greek New Testament during a lectureship
in which a noted and able speaker requested help concerning an
important passage of scripture. He acknowledged John's help and
thanked him for it. I admired John's scholarship and humility.
He was a diligent student of the Bible. He remains a strong influence
for good upon many and, especially, upon us of his family. Please
read these words from his wife, Delphine.
"John's life was a hard one! His dad was
killed in the coal mines around Madison, WV., when he wasn't quite
9 years old. Being the oldest child he had to go to work at 16
years old to make a living for his Mom, 2 sisters, and a brother,
until he and I were married. He was born in Pike County, KY about
where the Hatfield and McCoy feud started! His grandmother was
a Hatfield on his mother's side of the family. He was a WWII veteran.
He served in the Pacific on Guam, the Palau Islands, and on other
islands the names of which I can't now remember. He received the
Silver Star for bravery trying to save his sergeant who was fatally
wounded and died. He received other medals also. He told me how
he escaped death so many times. I would tell him that God knew
his heart and He had a purpose for him to teach and preach His
Word and He did! The last sentence Hoover said about him at his
funeral was, "A man that stood for the truth!" Like
the great apostle Paul, there were times he had to stand alone
for the truth! His teaching and preaching were in Cuyahoga, Lake,
and Geauga Counties in this northern part of Ohio along Lake Erie.
We were blessed with two children, five grandchildren, and one
great-grandson. He went to be with the Lord on May 8, 1999. We
were married almost 46 years. We supported brother Bert Thompson
down in Alabama for quite a few years. When I wrote and told him
about John's passing, he wrote me a long, lovely, comforting letter."
-8967 Woodridge Ln., Mentor, OH 44060-1360.