There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Ephesians 4:4-6 [ESV]
So, remember, we are just coming off of Paul telling us that keeping unity with peace is huge…even telling us the characteristics of the person who aspires to contribute to that unity. We are One body which has been a theme of this book. That Oneness is reinforced now with all the Ones listed for us.
There are seven uses of ‘One’ here that are interesting:
- One Body
- One Spirit
- One Hope
- One Lord
- One Faith
- One Baptism
- One God and Father of all
It is interesting how the Body and the Spirit are linked just as they are in our life as followers of Jesus when we were saved. The One Hope is our key here on earth as it is our calling -> Hope in eternity with Jesus. A freedom in Him here on earth because our victory is already secured IN Him. Together in our unified church we center around One Lord, One Faith (in our Lord Jesus Christ), One Baptism (which I believe is inclusive of both Baptism by the Holy Spirit and Water Baptism), and finally One God and Father over all.
A little more on One Baptism – Christian baptism involves both Spirit baptism and water baptism, which symbolizes it (1 Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 2:12). These elements are all connected to what Christ accomplished through His death. Some interpretations of the verse might suggest choosing between these, but they likely all play a role. Christian baptism differs from John the Baptist’s baptism, which expressed repentance and readiness for salvation. In Christian baptism, believers participate in the deliverance made possible by their trust in what God did through Christ. This distinction has been evident from the beginning (Acts 19:5).
Application:
In my life as a fellow believer with others in the church, I need to remember that all of these ‘Ones’ bind us together. My genuinely converted Christian believers will have this Oneness built into them from Salvation. Our differing opinions are going to be normal but these ones bring us together in the end every time. I need apply this thinking a realization earlier in my discussions with brothers and sisters so that my Faith and Spirit within my guide in all the ways mentioned yesterday –> Humility, Gentleness, Patience, and Forbearance.
Today’s Psalm:
Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD,
Psalms 35:9-10 [ESV]
exulting in his salvation.
All my bones shall say,
“O LORD, who is like you,
delivering the poor
from him who is too strong for him,
the poor and needy from him who robs him?”