But how many ways have Christians subdivided themselves centuries later? How many denominations have assembled their own distinct followings? It doesn't stop within the Christian church, we are witnessing the killing of many innocents merely because of different religious beliefs, all in the name of the same God, albeit addressed according to their own understanding. Did Jesus miss this somehow in his prayer? No, for Jesus' prayer for unity is for everyone as one of the greatest prayers in the Bible. It holds a particularly honored spot because it was Himself as the great "I AM" who spoke it. At least twice in his prayer Jesus repeated himself by emphasizing why unity is important. In verse 23 He pressed again what he said only a few sentences before: "that the world may know that Thou didst send Me, and didst love Them, even as Thou didst love Me." This prayer shall eventually be answered.
True disciples of Jesus Christ reside within all the different denominations and traditions and cultural distinction. There are visible and invisible church. The visible church is structured upon denominations, sects - Catholic, Baptist, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and others. The invisible church is the practice of true spirituality regardless of denomination or sect. Beyond doctrinal distinctions and forms of worship there is a deeper conviction which resounds in believers everywhere. The visible and invisible church unite if there is one or more practitioners sincerely practicing the teachings of Christ. "This I command you, that you love one another." (John 15:17)
