Page 650 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

UNIVERSALISM - UNRIGHTEOUS

in doctrine and practice will have a biblical unity. True condition of man, the necessity of the new birth, the
Christian unity is the believers of a sound N.T. church atonement, and the unique saviorhood of Christ.
united together in mind and faith and purpose to serve UNIVERSALISM DENIES WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES
Jesus Christ, to uphold the Word of God, and to fulfill ABOUT: (1) Man’s lost condition (Ro. 3:10-18). (2) The
the Great Commission under the direction of their duly necessity of the new birth (Jn. 3:16). (3) The reality of
ordained leaders. hell (Mk. 9:43-48). (4) The Great White Throne
We see a similar teaching in Philippians 2:17. (a) Judgment (Re. 20:11-15). (5) The necessity of Gospel
Biblical unity is in the New Testament assembly. This preaching (Mk. 16:15, 16). [See Gospel, Heathen, Hell,
instruction was addressed to the church at Philippi. Jesus Christ, Judgment, Sin.]
Unity is not parachurch or interdenominational. (b) UNKNOWN GOD. [See Idolatry.]
Biblical unity means having one mind, not “unity in UNLADE. To unload a cargo (Ac. 21:3).
diversity.” (c) Biblical unity means total commitment to UNLEARNED. Uneducated; untaught. The term is
the one faith. The New Testament faith is not many used in three different ways in the N.T. (1) It is used in
separate doctrines, but is one unified body of truth into a mocking, degrading manner, in the sense of calling
which all doctrines fit. It is unscriptural to think that someone ignorant (Ac. 4:13). (2) It is also used in a
only a few “cardinal” Bible doctrines are crucial while non-mocking manner simply to describe the educational
other New Testament teachings and practices are level of a person (1 Co. 14:16) (3) It is further used to
tertiary and can be ignored for the sake of unity. The describe a condition of spiritual blindness without
Apostle Paul instructed Timothy to keep every aspect of reference to one’s actual educational level (2 Pe. 3:16).
biblical truth “without spot” (1 Timothy 6:14). The
focus of 1 Timothy is church practice (1 Timothy 3:15). UNLEARNED QUESTIONS. [See Foolish Questions.]
Thus, according to the Apostle, even ecclesiology is UNLEAVENED. Without leaven (Ex. 12:8-39).
“crucial” doctrine which must be kept until Christ Leaven is an agent of fermentation or change which
returns. It is impossible to stand unequivocally for New spreads throughout a lump of dough or other substance
Testament truth in all its aspects and be ecumenical. As and influences the entire lump or body. In the Bible
one wise pastor observed, we will have a limited leaven symbolizes sin or error (1 Co. 5:7-8; Ga. 5:9).
fellowship or we will have a limited message. A choice The feast of unleavened bread signified that sin is to be
must be made. According to the Bible, we cannot limit put out of the Christian life following conversion. The
the message. feast of unleavened bread following the Passover, which
What about John 17:11? The modern ecumenical typified salvation through Christ’s atonement. [See False
movement has taken John 17:11 as one of its theme Teaching, Leaven, Passover, Salvation, Sanctification,
verses, claiming that the unity for which Christ prayed is Sin.]
an ecumenical unity of professing Christians which UNMOVEABLE. Immoveable; that which cannot be
disregards biblical doctrine. The context of John 17 moved or shaken; firm; fixed (Ac. 27:41; 1 Co. 15:58).
destroys this myth. In John 17 verses 6, 8, 14, 17, and UNNI (afflicted, depressed). 1 Ch. 15:18.
19 the Lord plainly emphasizes that the unity He desires UNPARDONABLE SIN. The phrase “unpardonable
is one based on salvation and Truth. It is not a unity of sin” is not used in the Bible, but is frequently used to
true Christians with the false. It is not a unity which describe the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit spoken
ignores doctrinal differences for the sake of an enlarged of in Mt. 12:31-32; Mk. 3:28-29; and Lk. 12:10. This
fellowship. In fact, there is nothing in Christ’s prayer to was the sin of the Jewish leaders in rejecting Jesus
indicate that man is to do anything whatsoever in an Christ. All sin can be forgiven through the blood of
attempt to create the unity described herein. John 17 is Christ, but if one rejects Christ, there is no forgiveness
a prayer addressed to God the Father, not to men. The for such a one’s sin.
prayer was answered almost 2,000 years ago. It is a UNPERFECT. Imperfect (Ps. 139:16).
spiritual reality which was created by God among UNPROFITABLE. Without profit; without value;
genuine believers who are committed to the Scriptures, useless; serving no purpose (Job 15:3; Mt. 25:30; Lk.
not a possibility which must be organized by man. [See 17:10; Ro. 3:12; Tit. 3:9; He. 13:17).
Church, Ecumenical Movement, Separation.]
UNREBUKEABLE. Undeserving of rebuke; blameless
UNIVERSALISM. The belief that all men are children (1 Ti. 6:14).
of God and do not need a personal salvation from sin.
The doctrine of universalism is widespread today. Many UNREPROVEABLE. Irreproachable; that cannot be
supposed Christian denominations hold this view, as justly censured (Col. 1:22).
well as non-Christians. Universalism denies many UNRIGHTEOUS. Unjust; sinful; ungodly (Le. 19:15;
important doctrines of the Word of God, such as the lost De. 25:16; Is. 10:1; Ps. 92:15; Je. 22:13; Jn. 7:18; Ro.

650 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity