“In these first disciples was presented marked diversity.  They were to be the world's teachers, and they represented widely varied types of character.  In order successfully to carry forward the work to which they had been called, these men, differing in natural characteristics and in habits of life, needed to come into unity of feeling, thought, and action.  This unity it was Christ’s object to secure.  To this end He sought to bring them into unity with Himself.  The burden of His labor for them is expressed in His prayer to His Father, ‘That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me. . .”  AA:20.

 

“The proclamation of the gospel was to be world-wide in its extent, and the messengers of the cross could not hope to fulfill their important mission unless they should remain united in the bonds of Christian unity, and thus reveal to the world that they were one with Christ in God.”  AA:90.

 

“The characters we form will speak in the home life.  If there is sweet accord in the home circle, the angels of God may minister in the home.  If there is wise management at home, kindness, meekness, forbearance, combined with firm principles, then be assured that the husband is a house band; he binds the family together with holy cords and presents them to God, binding himself with them upon the altar of God.  What a light shines forth from such a family! [Ev:342.2.]

 

“That family, properly conducted, is a favorable argument to the truth, and the head of such a family will carry out the very same kind of work in the Church as is revealed in the family.  Wherever severity, harshness, and want of affection and love are exhibited in the sacred circle of the home, there will most assuredly be a failure in the plans and management in the Church.  Unity in the home, unity in the Church, reveals Christ’s manner and grace more than sermons and arguments.”  Ev:342.2-3; TSA:29.4.

 

My brethren are well aware that the Word of God presents the matter of Church unity as a principle; those who are united to Christ by the truth of Heavenly origin should have strong friendship for one another. . . If the branches of the vine are united to the parent Stock, the same life dwells in them all.”  PaM:269.3; 1888M:1142-1143.

 

“Unless those who come together in Church capacity shall observe the rules of Christ which are given them in His Word, and which are so simple and reasonable that all may understand, regulating their conduct toward one another by them, there can be no such thing as spiritual strength, harmony, or prosperity in the Church; but disaster and ruin will be the result.”  RH, April 15, 1880.

 

“No church can flourish unless its members are workers.”  RH, August 23, 1881 par. 1.