XXVI.
The Necessity of Church Unity
Believers are called to maintain the unity of the Church and submit to Christ's order, regardless of external opposition.
XXVI. We therefore believe that no one should withdraw apart and be content with his own person, but that all together must keep and maintain the unity of the Church, submitting to the common instruction and to the yoke of Jesus Christ; and this in whatever place God has established a true order of the Church, even if the magistrates and their edicts are contrary to it; that all who do not join it, or who separate from it, oppose the ordinance of God.✦✦✦✦
Read the original French
XXVI. Nous croyons donc que nul ne se doit retirer à part, et se contenter de sa personne, mais que tous ensemble doivent garder et entretenir l’union de l’Eglise, se soumettant à l’instruction commune et au joug de Jésus-Christ; et ce en quelque lieu, où Dieu aura établi un vrai ordre de l’Eglise, encore que les magistrats et leurs édits y soient contraires, que tous ceux qui ne s’y rangent, ou s’en séparent, contrarient à l’ordonnance de Dieu.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Matt.11.29-Matt.11.30 — Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matt.11.30 — For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
- ↩Eph.4.3-Eph.4.4 — Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Eph.4.4 — There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope of your calling.
- ↩Heb.10.25 — not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
- ↩Acts.5.29 — But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men."
French Confession of Faith (Confession de La Rochelle / Gallican Confession) companion
Rule yourself daily, not just on retreat
Chosen Portion turns the mirror into a daily practice — a short reading and examining question each morning before you lead anyone.
Chosen Portion makes the mirror daily: the ruler-formation questions this collection preserves become a two-minute morning examination in the app.
- A daily formation reading drawn from centuries of counsel to those in authority
- One pointed examination question a day — two minutes, before the meetings start
- Track your practice over weeks and watch the examined life become a habit