Do Christians Have to Agree on Everything?

“Now, through the name of our Lord Yeshua the Anointed, I want to encourage you brothers to all teach the same things. There shouldn’t be any divisions among you. Rather, you must all learn to think the same way and to share the same opinions”.
1 Corinthians 1:10

Introduction

All Christians should know, that there is “one truth” and “one way”, and that is our Lord and saviour, Yeshua (Jesus) (John 14:6).

In this, all Christians should be seeking unification, there is no other person to whom we go to for everlasting life… of course though all Christians agree Yeshua is the saviour and mediator of mankind, they do not always agree on other matters.

Often, Christians will debate over scriptural interpretation and even doctrines. But is this wrong? Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians to “think the same way”, and not to have divisions among us, and to “reject facetious sects” (Titus 3:10).

Some church denominations, on this basis, have attempted to assert authority over the flock, by means of autocratic structure. Forbidding the questioning of church doctrine, enforcing obedience to the church leadership, or forbidding a difference of an opinion where a majority is involved, even stating that one’s very “salvation” depends on submitting to the group’s or church’s status quo, even if that status quo is factually incorrect.

But is this really what Paul and the Apostles were saying?

A Closer Examination of 1 Corinthians 1

To first understand Paul’s words, we should look at the large context of the passage.

United to the Lord, not Men

• “Now, through the name of our Lord Yeshua the Anointed, I want to encourage you brothers to all teach the same things. There shouldn’t be any divisions among you. Rather, you must all learn to think the same way and to share the same opinions. For those of the house of Chloe have told me that you do a lot of arguing, my brothers. What I mean is, some of you are saying, ‘I follow Paul,’ or ‘I follow Apollos,’ or ‘I follow Peter’, or ‘I follow the Anointed One.’ And by this, the Anointed One is being divided…”. – 1 Corinthians 1:10-13

We see immediately, Paul was addressing a situation where Christians were beginning to follow men as their leaders over Yeshua himself. They were putting more importance upon the differing opinions and ideas of men, over that of their focus on the Lord. And it was by this, the Congregation was being divided.

He goes on to say:

• “…Paul wasn’t hung on a timber for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I’m thankful that I didn’t baptize any of you (other than Crispus and Gaius), so that no one can say that they were baptized in my name. (Oh yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas). But as for the rest, I don’t think that I baptized anyone else, because the Anointed One didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the good news”. – 1 Corinthians 1:13-17

We see the full context, is in regard to putting the authority, opinions, or status of men, above Yeshua.

Paul makes mention of certain names of Apostles, Elders or Servants of the congregations that were obviously well reputed or famous. It’s obvious that as human beings, these men, though of high standing, likely would have had differences of opinion sometimes, and this is even demonstrated in scripture, for example, Paul’s fall out with Barnabas, or his stand off with Peter (Acts 15:36-40, Galatians 2:11-14).

It would have been easy for factions or loyalties to the names of these men to begin forming, on the basis of which Apostle or Elder of the flock the brothers and sisters found to be more agreeable.

Therefore, we see it wasn’t just about men holding opinions, but Paul was reprehending those who were putting men and their personal opinions on a pedestal of authority above their love for one another and their unity in the Lord Yeshua.

Of the Same “Opinion” or “Purpose”?

We gain even more insight of this factor of Paul’s context of unity, if we examine the translations and manuscripts of this passage.

The terms Paul uses in verse 10 where many Bibles say to having and “teaching” the same “opinions”, in Greek are “lego” and “gnómé”, and in Aramaic manuscripts, the term is “reyan”.

These phrases have multiple meanings beyond “opinion”:

“Gnómé: advice, judgment, mind, purpose, will“. – Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance

“gnómé: purpose, opinion, consent, decision”. – NAS Exhaustive Concordance

“Gnómé:
1. the faculty of knowing, mind, reason.
2. that which is thought or known, one’s mind;
a.view, judgment, opinion,
b. mind concerning what ought to be done, aa. by oneself, resolve, purpose, intention…”. – Thayer’s Greek Lexicon

“Reyan:
1. thought, attitude
  2. mind
  3. will
  4. sense of a word or passage
  5. faction“. – The Comprehensive Aramaic Lexicon

“Lego: (denoting speech in progress), (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command”. – Strong’s Concordance

“Lego: (originally, “lay down to sleep,” used later of “laying an argument to rest,” i.e. bringing a message to closure; see Curtius, Thayer) – properly, to say (speak), moving to a conclusion (bringing it to closure, “laying it to rest”)”. – HELPS Word-studies

We see that “opinion” is not the only meaning of the word, but many Bibles, which have been translated by men who wish to advocate submission to their churches or leadership, opt for this rendition, because it is self serving.

The other definitions of this word, such as “faction”, “attitude”, or “purpose”, fit far better into the context of Paul’s passage, as he’s saying the Congregation should not split into factions based upon “loyalties to men”, so in other words, the passage should instead most likely render:

• Now, through the name of our Lord Yeshua the Anointed, I want to encourage you brothers to all speak/have closure in the same things. There shouldn’t be any divisions among you. Rather, you must all learn to be of one mind and to share the same purpose“.

This rendition in fact can be seen in several other Bible translations:

• “…be united in the same mind and the same purpose“. – New Revised Standard Version
• “…be united by the same mind and purpose” – NET Bible
• “…be united in the same mind and in the same purpose“. – New American Bible
• “…Be completely united, with only one thought and one purpose. – Good News Translation
• “…be of one mind, united in thought and purpose“. – New Living Translation
• “…Don’t take sides. Always try to agree in what you think“. – Contemporary English Version

We see then, that Paul isn’t saying that Christians are to be a hive mind, but rather, should seek unity in purpose, in brotherhood, even in differences of opinion. That Yeshua always should be viewed as the ultimate master, not following men above our Lord, or losing sight of the Christian forest for the Christian trees.

This also falls in line perfectly with Titus 3:10, which tells us, not to reject men with “different opinions”, but to reject “facetious” people:

• “Reject a factious man, after a first and a second admonition, knowing that such a man has deviated from the way and is sinning and is self-condemned” – Titus 3:10

The definition of “facetious” (hairetikos), being someone who purposefully misleads others or aims to “divide” people.

Hairetikos
Definition: causing division
Usage: disposed to form sects, sectarian, heretical, factious”. – Strong’s Concordance

“hairetikós (an adjective, derived from 138 /hairéomai, “to choose, have a distinctive opinion”) – a factious person, specializing in half-truths and misimpressions “to win others over” to their personal opinion (misguided zeal) – while creating harmful divisions (used only in Tit 3:10)”. – HELPS Word-studies

Rejecting Sects, Evildoers, Decievers & Antichrists

Of course, whilst we see the above verses, Paul is not telling us that we all have to literally share the same opinions and scriptural interpretations in times of uncertainty or ambiguity to still be considered brothers and sisters with one another, he does at the same time tell us to reject sects and false doctrines, such as at 1 Timothy 6.

We also see the same with Apostle John who tells us to “reject the antichrist” (2 John 1:7-11), and even the Lord Yeshua himself chastises a congregation for “putting up with” a corrupting false teacher amongst them (Revelation 2:20):

• “If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Yeshua the Anointed and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain“. – 1 Timothy 6:3-5
• “For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Yeshua [the] Anointed in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist… If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any intimate greeting, for whoever intimately greets him takes part in his wicked works“. – 2 John 1:7, 10-11
• “But I [Yeshua] have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols“. – Revelation 2:20

How then do we reconcile this advice of not allowing the individual thoughts, biblical interpretations and opinions of people in the Congregation to be a cause of splintering, and then “rejecting” people who are deemed to be teaching “false doctrines”, which may or may not just be them sharing their own personal opinions and interpretations of scripture?

The key is judging the overall spiritual, moral, or salvific importance of the opinion, doctrine or teaching being debated over.

Rejecting False Doctrines

Though Paul admonishes us to try and get along with our brothers, despite differences of opinion or scriptural interpretation, there may come a time when splitting off from a group of Christians or Congregation, will be inevitable.

Paul himself says this at 1 Corinthians 11:19:

• “And indeed, there must be factions/contention (hairetikós/ḥeryān) among you to show which of you are approved”.

This statement he makes appears to be on the surface, some kind of contradiction to his other words…

Paul in one passage tells us “not” to have contentions and factions over difference of opinion, but then he says here that “there must be” contentions and disagreements in order to show who is approved.

But this is not Paul contradicting himself. In reality, he is telling us, Christian Gospel truth and loyalty to Yeshua and God, must come before “Congregational unity”. In other words, loyatly to God’s truth and commands trumps submission to men’s dogma, even if it should it result in a congregation splitting apart.

The key difference here is that the contention and splitting of the congregation, is based upon devotion to God’s word, and not devotion or misplaced loyalties to men.

This is a principle found throughout the scriptures, where we are told not to follow along with a majority if we know it’s wrong, even if that majority is being led down that path by the teachers or shepherds of the Congregation:

• “You should not accept false testimony, nor should you allow anyone who’s crooked to provide false testimony. You must not join a mob to do bad things, nor should you go along with the majority when they’re wrong“. – Exodus 23:1-2
• “…We must obey God rather than men“. – Acts 5:29
• “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith… But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test. Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved. For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth”. – 2 Corinthians 13:5-8
• But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! …Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of [the] Anointed“. – Galatians 1:8-10

Hence, whilst we should seek to be “united in like mind” (1 Corinthians 1:10), that is, all of us being united in Yeshua as Lord and Master, and with the Father Yah (YHWH), as our God, being dedicated to worshipping in “spirit and truth”, in accordance to the teachings of the scriptures, and that we try and be accepting of one another, even with differences of opinion and interpretation of scripture at times, there are situations where we may be forced to take our leave of a congregation.

There may be some things that brothers and sisters will consider “beyond non-salvation matters”. Subjects, which affect the very purity of one’s worship, as the Bible clearly teaches that there are certain groups of people who will not inherit the Kingdom for very specific practices and teachings:

• Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them. – John 3:36
• “Don’t you know that the unrighteous won’t inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t make any mistakes about this: Sexually immoral people, Idol worshipers, Adulterers, The perverted, Men who have sex with men, Greedy people, Thieves, Drunks, Insulters, and Exploiters, won’t inherit God’s Kingdom“. – 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
• “…Involvement in the occult, Hatreds, Quarreling, Jealousy, Anger, Selfishness, Divisions, Sects, Envying, Wild partying, and things like that. I’m warning you now (as I’ve warned you before), that those who do such things won’t inherit God’s Kingdom“. – Galatians 5:19-21
• “But as for the cowards, the unbelievers, the nasty, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who cast spells, the idol worshipers, and all the liars. Their inheritance is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, the second death!”. – Revelation 21:8

Non-Divisive Differences

For example, one Christian may believe the Bible teaches Young Earth Creationism, that the Earth is only 6000 years old, whilst another Christian may believe the days of Genesis 1 aren’t literal and that the Earth is older than 6000 years.

Because neither God nor Yeshua said “you must believe the days of Genesis are literal”, or that “Flat Earthers will not inherit God’s Kingdom”, it is matter of subjective interpretation, in which brothers and sisters should not allow themselves to be split into factions and contentions over, as it is an unnecessary and petty distraction from the main focus of our faith, our unity in our devotion to Lord Yeshua and God our Father.

Another example, a Christian may believe in literal hellfire based on his reading of Revelation 20:10, whilst another Christian sees it as symbolic based on Yeshua’s words at Matthew 10:28.

Because Yeshua never said “you must believe in literal hellfire to be saved”, but also never said “you must not believe in literal hellfire if you wish to be saved”, the two brothers holding difference of opinion, may or may not decide to still accept one another, and merely agree to disagree whilst still sharing worship, and a congregation may simply declare that it holds no firm dogmatic opinion on the subject, and that everyone should all simply focus on living Christian lives and loving one another despite their difference of opinion.

This would be an example of applying 1 Corinthians 1:11-13 to the situation, not allowing a difference of opinion pointlessly split the congregation into factions, with loyalties to specific parties or men.

Divisive Differences

However, there may be a situation that cannot be reconciled in such a way.

For example, one Christian believes in the Trinity, whilst another does not. How can a congregation be united in this scenario, if everyone disagrees over the person we are actually praying to? Or who we believe to be our God? Such a subject is in direct relation to the commandment of the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4, Mark 12:29), and the notion of Idolatry (Exodus 20:3, Isaiah 40:25).

Likewise, some Christians may be teaching or believing in things, such as the allowance of polygamy based upon thier interpretation of scripture, whilst another feels Yeshua forbade such things (Luke 16:18, Matthew 5:32). Again, some congregations might approve of homosexual lifestyles, whilst others would not.

Clearly, these are subjects relating to the very commands of Yeshua himself, and therefore, a brother may not feel in good company to congregate with a group of Christians who subscribe to such things.

The Deciding Factor

The major denominator here of whether or not brothers can remain “united” as a congregation, is over their agreement of major salvational doctrines and worship. And this is a delicate balancing act, to know when it is acceptable to have a difference of opinion whilst being united in worship, and when it is not. And such a matter is of individual Christian conscience.

• “Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose”. – Philippians 2:12-13

Being approved by God does not come from being a member of a certain church, denomination or group, or being forced to adhere with a group’s or church’s opinions and doctrines, but by our individual obidence to Him and His Son (2 Corinthians 13:5-8, Mark 9:38-41).

We do well to keep in mind, of course, even if we come to a conclusion that we cannot have congregational communion with certain brothers and sisters, that we still act in loving and merciful ways toward all, and to continue to respect one another, for this is also part of seeing which of us are “approved” in the face of contentions (Matthew 5:44-48).

It is only the malicious; the antichrists, secterians, and purposefully decietful that we try to completely avoid contact or spiritual fellowship with, and even this should be considered carefully.

Conclusion

So to conclude. Are Christians required to agree on everything? No, at least not when it comes to “non-salvaltion” matters (1 Corinthians 10:29). But we are required to seek unity, love, respect and tollerance amongst ourselves.

We all should remember that without the gifts of the holy spirit, we cannot lay claim to authority or unquestionable opinion of doctrine, and so do well to listen and humble ourselves to the thoughts and opinions of others where Christian freedom allows it.

At the same time however, we are also called upon to not remain in congregational unity or go along with a crowd, if we deem that a group are adhereing to or are teachinging doctrines that we find are in contradiction to the salvational commands of Yeshua, or if a certain group begins to place their unquestioning loyatly to men over our Lord Yeshua and over God our Father.

When it comes to seperating from other Christians, we also do well to remember that it is not an excuse to judge or express hatred to such individuals, but merely that we respect the agreement to disagree on a matter, even if it should mean such people can no longer in good conscience share worship.

The only individuals we should try to completely avoid and keep out of our personal lives, are, as I aforementioned, antichrists and malicious false teachers who purposefully try to cause hateful divisions and take advantage of the flock.