Empowered by Unity: Spreading the Gospel Together 

The original first-century Christian community was a rich tapestry of diversity that was critical in spreading the Gospel across the Mediterranean, Europe, and worldwide.

Despite their varied backgrounds, the Apostle Paul’s network, identified in his New Testament letters, exemplified a cohesive Christian community that included both Jewish Christians—such as Timothy, Lois, Eunice, Priscilla, Aquila, Aristarchus, Mark, and Apollos—and Gentile Christians like Tychicus, Luke, Onesimus, Phoebe, and Demas.

Within this diverse community, we find urban professionals like Erastus (the city treasurer), Zenas (a lawyer), and Luke (a physician), alongside laborers like Priscilla and Aquila (tentmakers), as well as enslaved people and freed individuals such as Onesimus. Some members had extensive scriptural knowledge, while others were Gentile converts from various pagan or Roman backgrounds.

The unity forged through this diversity among the first converts facilitated the growth of early Christianity, enabling it to navigate different cultures and ultimately spread throughout the world, as described in the Book of Acts. The Gospel message, rooted in cultural diversity, was a movement orchestrated by God—intended not just for the Jews but for all who believe in His Son, Jesus Christ (Acts 11:18). The hope of salvation and the promise of a right relationship with God is for every generation.

...you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. —Jesus (Acts 1:8)

God's message of salvation is inclusive, reaching out to everyone regardless of national origin, ethnicity, cultural background, profession, or socioeconomic status.¹ Like Jesus, we strive to meet individuals in our community right where they are on their spiritual journeys. Our mission is to share the Gospel with everyone and support them as their faith grows.

The diverse backgrounds of those in Paul's life significantly helped the acceptance of the Gospel, including Onesimus, a former enslaved Gentile whom Paul dispatched from Rome to the city of Colossae in Asia Minor to deliver a letter to Philemon, his former master (as seen in the Book of Philemon). Paul's earnest appeal to Philemon, urging him to welcome Onesimus not merely as a slave but as a beloved brother in Christ, serves as a powerful testament to the Gospel’s transformative power, showcasing how it can renew lives and redefine relationships.

At Valley Christian Schools, Biblical Unity helps to spread the Gospel and ensure that everyone in our community can hear the Word of God, believe, and learn how to live in a close relationship with Jesus Christ and one another in our VCS family. This opportunity happens through our Spiritual Formation process, designed to disciple students as they develop their hearts, minds, and souls in the Christian faith.

The work of the Office of Biblical Unity supports the spread of the Gospel to every student, their families, our partners, and the broader community, both locally and globally. We honor every individual made in God's image as deserving of belonging in the family of Jesus Christ and empower each one to play a vital role in spreading the Gospel.

For believers in Jesus, regardless of differences such as ethnicity, nationality, social status, or age, there exists a profound unity in the Spirit (Ephesians 4:3). When we stand together and celebrate our common bond under Jesus’ leadership, we can embrace our God-given differences and celebrate the source of true unity.

Reflect

When have you experienced the goodness of unity within a diverse community in Christ? How has this brought you or others blessings?

Pray

Almighty God, through Your Holy Spirit, You created unity amid diversity; 

We recognize that human diversity is an expression of Your manifold love for creation; 

We acknowledge that our brokenness often turns diversity into alienation, injustice, oppression, and wounding. 

Empower us to recognize and celebrate our differences as incredible gifts to the human family. 

Enable us to become architects of understanding, respect, and love; 

We pray this by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ, the foundation of all unity.

—Xavier University

Learn More  

If you would like more information about the Bible, a relationship with Jesus Christ, or support for your spiritual journey, please visit our website resources below.

Biblical Unity and Spiritual Formation at Valley Christian Schools. For a personal conversation, don't hesitate to contact Dr. Steven McGriff, Director of Biblical Unity, or Pastor Steve Dang, Chief Ministry Officer.

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¹In the Book of Acts 2:1-11, the author describes a large gathering of international people in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, “God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven,” “Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs.” On that day the Holy Spirit empowered the Apostles of Jesus Christ to speak in each of these peoples’ native languages, despite being men who were not trained in languages. The international people were “…utterly amazed,” and nearly three thousand chose to believe and were baptized as followers of Jesus Christ.