Why is Unity Important?

I fully admit that I have usually tended to define my spiritual experience in terms of my current church affiliation. Furthermore, I have always secretly believed that "my way is best."  I need a complete mental makeover to grasp the truth of Ephesians 4: There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

How Good and How Pleasant
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garment. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion, for there the Lord commanded the blessing--"LIFE FOREVERMORE." Psalm 133

Aaron was the first high priest in the tabernacle of God. His job was to represent his people before God, pleading for mercy, cleansing and blessing. He and the other high priests were commanded never to minister until they had been anointed - completely doused with a special, delightfully fragrant oil that was to be used only for specific holy purposes.

The anointing oil is a type of the Holy Spirit, who prepares us for our ministry in the priesthood of believers. When we have the mindset of the high priest, who interceded for the people rather than condemning them, God will pour out a blessing of LIFE FOREVERMORE. But where there is division and accusation, spiritual death will rule.

When the day of Pentecost came, they [the believers] were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.  Acts 2:1-4

Jesus death was the spiritual fulfillment of the prophetic Jewish feast of Passover. The feast of Pentecost was fulfilled by this event, which marked the birth of the Church. Notice that this holy anointing, this preparation for ministry, happened when they were all together in one place. And Acts 1:14 tells us that were of one mind, constantly joining together in prayer. Unity was not the result of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit; rather the outpouring was a result of their unity! 

It doesn't take a lot of people to change the world. In this case there were just 120 who were united in purpose and prayer, waiting expectantly for the word of the Lord to be fulfilled.