This passage gives us the “7 Unity’s.” These “one” statements emphasize the oneness we share as Christians. We must understand however, that Eph. 4:4-6 is not teaching unity at any cost. There is a difference in unity and uniformity. Our unity must be in Christ.
One body. The Lord only has one church, and all who have accepted Jesus and have obeyed the gospel are members of the church universal. We are diverse in background and gifts, but united in Christ.
One Spirit. The Holy Spirit, the 3rd Person of the Godhead indwells every believer (Acts 2:38). He enables us to live the Christian life.
One Hope. The one hope is the “Blessed Hope.” (Titus 2:11-13) Jesus has promised to return for His Church. We are to live in anticipation of that hope.
One Lord. Believers in the early church confessed and proclaimed, “Jesus is Lord!” (2 Cor. 4:5) When doing that they were saying, “Caesar is not Lord.” This confession could’ve caused them their life. Today we proclaim the Lordship of Jesus. It is our aim and desire to live according to what He taught.
One faith. Jude wrote that we are “to contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” The one faith is the body of truth we embrace and believe.
One Baptism. This is immersion into Christ for the remission of our sins (Acts 2:38). It is after we are baptized that we receive our sins forgiven and we receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit.
One God and Father. As his adopted children, we share the same Father (cf. Eph. 1:5) He is God over all and Father of all His children.
Larry Miles is Co-Editor of Word and Work. He resides in Louisville, KY, and attends
Cherry St. Church of Christ in New Albany, IN.