Animals, Colors, Metals, Numbers and Signs in Scripture.

One Mind

The members of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ are to strive to be united in thought as it pertains to the doctrines, practices, teachings, worship, love, and practical godliness. The following verses abundantly show this teaching:

    1. Rom 15:6 "That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
    2. 2 Cor 13:11 "Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you."
    3. Phil 1:27 "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;"
    4. Phil 2:2 "Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind."
    5. 1 Pet 3:8 "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:"

To be united in thought would be impossible to do unless we have a perfect standard to which we all can strive. Amos 3:3 asked the question, "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" The answer is implied that it is impossible to walk together unless there is agreement. At the point of disagreement is the point at which two will not walk together. We may agree on nine things and walk together in those nine things, yet when we disagree on the tenth thing we cease walking together.

Our standard of agreement is the word of God. II Tim. 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." Not only is the scripture a thorough furnisher unto all good works, it is also the standard by which we can agree together and have fellowship one with another and worship together in Spirit and in truth: 1 John 1:7 "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." Thus, our fellowship is found in the light of the truth of God's word.

The Lord warns us about vain worship: Mark 7:7 "Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Furthermore, he taught that "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."

When we are of one mind, we live in peace one with another. When we are of one mind, according to the scriptures, we worship God together in Spirit and in truth and have fellowship one with another. When we are of one mind we have love one for another and have the same care for one another as we have for our self.

One Shepherd

There are numerous verses of scriptures that depict the Lord as being the one shepherd over his flock or people:

    1. Eccl 12:11 "The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd."
    2. Ezek 34:23 "And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd."
    3. Ezek 37:24 "And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them."
    4. John 10:16 "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."
    5. Mat 26:31 "Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad."
    6. Mark 14:27 "And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered."
    7. John 10:2 "But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep."
    8. John 10:12 "But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep."
    9. 1 Pet 2:25 "For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."

A shepherd cares for, watches over, and feeds his flock. He is responsible for every one of his flock. A good shepherd will do what he can to protect and deliver every sheep of his fold. Jesus is that good shepherd that died in order to save his people from their sins. He is that great shepherd of the sheep that preserves every one of his flock from destruction and will finally deliver every one into heaven's glory world, without the loss of one. He is the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls. He is also called the chief shepherd meaning that there are under shepherds. These under shepherds are to feed the flocks according to the direction of the chief Shepherd. These under shepherds are limited in their abilities as the Lord directed the disciples to cause the people to sit down in companies of fifty and a hundred when he fed the thousands with five loaves and two fishes. This teaches us that in most cases the ability of a pastor to care for a congregation is generally around fifty to one hundred disciples.