The Basis of UnityEphesians 4:4-6

Studies in Ephesians (21)

“One”• Unity – Eph. 4:1-3, John 17:20-21

• Εἷς, (heis) - One and only one (not two or more).

• Used 7 times in these verses• We have discussed, “one

body” – His church, “one Lord, one Spirit” and “one God & Father”

One Hope, Faith & Baptism

Ephesians 4:4-6

Studies in Ephesians (21)

• Hope – earnest expectation of something yet received

• A factor in why we live to serve Him

• Our ultimate hope is salvation and an eternal, heavenly reward

•Colossians 1:5-6, 1 Peter 1:3, Hebrews 6:18-19Acts 23:6, Romans 5:1-5

“One Hope” (4:4)

• “Just as you were called in one hope of your calling”

• We are called by the gospel, not a miraculous or out of our control experience•2 Thessalonians 2:14

“One Hope” (4:4)

• How does our hope promote unity?• Unity of desire and purpose• Together we share this hope• This can bring us together to fight

our common enemy and to build up His body

• We must get along!1 John 4:20-21, cf. Galatians 5:15

•Ephesians 1:18, 2:12-13

“One Hope” (4:4)

• Faith – can mean our personal faith (Heb. 11:6, 1 John 5:4) subjective

• Or, the system (standard) of belief given by God (“the faith” Galatians 1:6-12, 23, Jude 3, Acts 6:7) objective

•Romans 1:17

“One Faith” (4:5)

• Our text - an objective faith

• Paul has been revealing God’s word to them – Ephesians 3:3-6

“One Faith” (4:5)

• How does one faith promote unity?• Paul has been addressing how

God’s message brings us together• We need unity of doctrine – 1

Corinthians 1:10, Philippians 2:1-2, etc.

• Doctrinal agreement can bring us together for the same cause

“One Faith” (4:5)

• Doctrinal differences divide!

• Division is ugly and sinful!

• Even trivial matters (1 Tim. 1:3-4, 4:7, 6:3-5, etc.) can bring division if the improper attitude is there

“One Faith” (4:5)

• What about subjective faith?• It is not the basis of true unity (John

17:20-21) • While it might promote harmony, it is

often at the cost of the integrity of God’s word

• The very idea of “one” implies it is not subjective

• The other elements we have addressed are objective

“One Faith” (4:5)

• The Bible mentions several baptisms- Holy Spirit – Acts 2 & 10- Fire – Luke 3:16- Suffering – Mark 10:38-39, Luke 12:50- Moses – 1 Corinthians 10:1-2John’s baptism – Matthew 3:11, John 3:22-23, Mark 6:14-29. Note Acts 19:1-6

“One Baptism” (4:5)

• Our text is the baptism of salvation

•Acts 2:38, 8:35-39, Mark 16:16

• It brings us together both in Christ and with one another 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Galatians 3:26-27

•Ephesians 4:20-24 – old/new man – see Romans 6:3-6

“One Baptism” (4:5)

• How does baptism promote unity?• Unity of practice and forgiveness• There is only ONE plan of salvation!

(cf. 1 Cor. 14:33)• Obeying the gospel is intended to

bring us together – see previous point – Gal. 3:26-27

• If we cannot agree on how we are saved, how can we agree on anything?

“One Baptism” (4:5)

There is only One HopeOne FaithOne Baptism

Are we united in these things?