There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called
in one hope of your calling; 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

Baptists are separatists by nature. As a rule, we don’t play well with others. Somebody once said that Baptist churches tend to multiply like amoebas – that is, by division. Sadly that’s too often true! We’re quick to separate from one another. Sometimes because it’s necessary – as when an essential doctrine of the faith are being rejected. But much of the time it is simply a sinful separation. We fall apart because we just can’t get along!

Paul’s concern in Ephesians 4:4-6 is to strengthen the unity that He knows already exists between Christians through our union with the One God in Chirst! Notice how he emphasizes this unity by repeating the word “one” seven times, giving us seven essentials upon which our unity is to be founded: One body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.

But notice also, not only are there seven things listed here, but these seven things all relate directly back to God. For it is God Himself who unites us! God the Spirit brings us together as one church; God the Son (the one “Lord”) brings us together in one faith as seen in our baptism; and God the Father holds us together in one family as He rules over all things and works all things for our good. So, the One God who exists eternally in the diversity of Three Persons holds us together in a unity like His. One universal Church, made up of many different local churches. One redeemed People, held together by the One Spirit. Many Sons and Daughters loved by the One Father. This is the essential reality that binds us together as Christians in unity! And that is the reality we want to consider this morning as we continue to study Jesus’ prayer for our unity in John 17:20-23 where He prays that we may be one even as He and the Father are one.

May God grant us His heaven-sent, Christ-focused Unity as one Church!

Pastor Scott