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Does the Bible command Christ-followers to all think the same?

Yes.

And no.

I was reading 1 Peter 3 the other day and this verse caught my eye:

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.— 1 Peter 3:8

That phrase “unity of mind” is what got me. It stood out because I thought of all the other places in Scripture where believers are given a similar command.

In Acts 4:32, Luke writes, “All the believers were one in heart and mind . . .” In 1 Corinthians 10:10 Paul urges his audience to be “perfectly united in mind and thought.” 2 Corinthians 13:11 has Paul giving this command: “ . . . listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace . . .” Paul also says in Philippians 2:2 that he would be overjoyed if the Philippian Christ-followers would only be “like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.”

So, what are Peter, and Paul, and Luke saying? Is Scripture saying that there should be complete uniformity in thought among all those who claim to believe in, love, and serve God?

Yes.

And no.

A couple of applications that speak to the “yes.”  First, I believe there is a collective application, a truth that is applicable for the “Big C” church, the global body of all those who follow Christ. I believe there is a baseline of faith that must be held by all Christians; I believe this baseline is contained in Scripture. And I believe that God has made it possible to read His Word and to grasp these fundamental basics of the faith.

I believe the Church must be united in its desire to see God’s Kingdom realized on this earth.

I believe every single follower of Christ should share the same desire to see God’s story of redemption fulfilled. The same story that started with creation and continues to this very moment.

I believe every person who calls themselves a servant of God should be united in their passion to see God’s justice, and mercy, and peace overcome the injustice, brutality, and strife of this world.

Secondly, I believe Luke, and Peter, and Paul were definitely talking about local congregations. There is absolutely no place for division in the local body. It is one of the most tragic elements of our current church culture that division in churches is accepted as a normal part of doing church. If our local, autonomous churches cannot get along with one another what hope is there for the world? Our churches must strive to deal with issues that threaten to divide, making every effort to be one in heart and mind.

So, there is the “yes.”

What about the “no”?

Paul himself makes it pretty clear that believers will not hold the same convictions. His whole discussion in Romans 14 speaks to this. Paul was talking about food sacrificed to idols, but there are tons of modern day applications for this. Do you think it’s wrong to drink? That’s fine. But don’t pass judgment on your brother or sister who thinks it’s OK. Same for you who drink. If you know a fellow follower has a conviction about it, don’t exercise your faith in a way that causes strife.

Paul seems to think there is room for differing opinions regarding the details. I look at it this way: We all better be on the same page with the stuff that is black and white. There is room for differing opinions about the gray.

Unity of mind and heart is important. It is important that all believers are on the same page with God and His mission, unified in our devotion and service to Christ.

But as William Barclay says, “There is room enough in God’s Kingdom for different opinions.”

Does the Bible command Christ-followers to all think the same?

Yes.

And no.