Exploring The Meaning Of One Faith, One Baptism

Ephesians 4:5 states there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism. This phrase has been interpreted in different ways by Christians. Some believe it refers to a single denomination with its own specific beliefs, doctrines and practices, while others interpret it as a collective of denominations with different but sometimes contradictory beliefs. The phrase is thought to emphasise the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, and that there is only one doctrine of Jesus Christ.

The meaning of one faith, one baptism in Ephesians 4:5

Ephesians 4:4-6 says:

> "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

The word 'baptism' comes from the Greek word 'baptizo', which means 'to submerge or immerse'. Thus, baptism involves a person being totally submerged into something else. It implies a change, and that the baptised are changed people.

There are two types of baptism: a physical (water) baptism and a spiritual baptism. Water baptism was commanded by Jesus for all of His followers (Acts 1:8). Colossians 2:12 says:

> "Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead."

Water baptism is an outward indication of an inward change. It symbolises the cleansing of our hearts and the washing away of our sin by the blood of Jesus (Acts 2:38). Through water baptism, believers publicly proclaim their testimony that they have been born again by the grace of God.

Romans 6:3 speaks of a spiritual baptism:

> "Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?"

This spiritual baptism “into Christ” is performed by the Holy Spirit the moment a repentant sinner accepts the gift of salvation and is born again (John 3:5; Ephesians 2:18; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Acts 8:12).

The baptism of the Holy Spirit was promised by John the Baptist, who said that Jesus “will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire" (Luke 3:16). No one understood what John meant until after Jesus had ascended back to heaven (Acts 1:9).

When Paul wrote to the Ephesians about "one baptism", he was reminding them that, regardless of their background or nationality, they all served the same Lord, shared the same faith, and had experienced the same baptism. He could have been referring to water baptism, or to Spirit baptism. Either way, the emphasis is on unity among Christians.

Verse 3 says:

> "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

The Holy Spirit works to unify believers and provides assurance that they are children of God (Romans 8:16; Ephesians 1:13-14). By reminding the church that they all had a similar testimony and that they were all partakers in the same Holy Spirit, Paul encouraged them to work together for the cause of Christ so that the message of redemption would continue to spread throughout the world (Matthew 28:19).

The two types of baptism: physical and spiritual

Ephesians 4:5 states that there is "one Lord, one faith, one baptism". While Christians are united in their belief that Christ is their saviour, there are different interpretations of this scripture. Some Christians interpret this to mean that a single denomination constitutes the "one true faith", while others interpret it to mean that a group of denominations with their collective beliefs, doctrines, and practices constitutes a collective "one true faith".

The two types of baptism are physical (water) baptism and spiritual baptism. Water baptism is done in water, and is an outward indication of an inward change. It symbolises the cleansing of our hearts and the washing away of our sins by the blood of Jesus. It is also a public proclamation of a person's testimony that they have been born again by the grace of God.

Spiritual baptism, on the other hand, is performed by the Holy Spirit when a repentant sinner accepts the gift of salvation and is born again. This spiritual baptism is also referred to as being "baptized into Christ". It is through this baptism that believers are identified with the death and resurrection of Jesus, and are considered crucified with Christ. This baptism is also associated with incorporation into the Christian Church, the bestowal of spiritual gifts, and empowerment for Christian ministry.

While some Christians believe that Holy Spirit baptism occurs at the moment of salvation, others believe that it occurs after salvation, perhaps years later, as the believer opens themselves up to the Spirit's control.

The significance of water baptism

Water baptism is an act of obedience to the commands of Christ. It is a demonstration of our total trust in and total reliance on the Lord Jesus Christ, as well as a commitment to live obediently to Him. It is also a public declaration of our faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and in our own future resurrection.

Water baptism is a symbolic expression of our heart's appeal to God. It is a symbol of our new life as Christians. We bury the 'old life' of sin and rise to walk in a 'new life' in Christ. It is a symbol of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Standing in the water symbolizes Jesus dying on the cross, immersing in the water symbolizes Jesus being buried, and being raised from the water symbolizes Jesus rising from the dead.

Water baptism is also a way to visually preach the gospel. It is a commandment from Jesus himself, and it is the principal reason why water baptism remains important for us today. It is not a prerequisite for salvation but is instead a symbol of our spiritual reality.

Water baptism is also a way to connect with the wider 'body of Christ', giving us a real sense of being joined with other believers in a communal journey towards the goal of perfection in Christ Jesus.

The interpretation of one faith

Ephesians 4:5 states there is "one Lord, one faith, one baptism". This passage has been interpreted in different ways by Christians. Some believe that this passage refers to a single denomination, with its own unique set of beliefs, doctrines, and practices, constituting the "one true faith". On the other hand, others interpret it as a collective "one true faith", encompassing multiple denominations with their distinct, and sometimes contradictory, beliefs and practices.

The interpretation of "one faith" in this scripture can be understood in two ways. Firstly, it can refer to the body of content that is believed, such as the gospel, which contains the doctrine of the Christian faith. Secondly, it can be seen as the subjective experience of faith that all believers have as they place their trust in Christ alone for redemption. These interpretations are not mutually exclusive. To attain salvation, an individual must affirm the same basic content and experience the same kind of abandoning trust solely in Jesus.

Paul, the author of Ephesians, insisted on the unity of doctrine in various places. He emphasised the supremacy of the teachings of Jesus and warned against false teachings. He also highlighted the importance of recognising oneself as a disciple of Christ, rather than belonging to a specific teacher or denomination. Paul's frequent use of the term "kurios" for Christ, which is also used to refer to God, indicates his high Christology, equating Jesus with the one true God.

The interpretation of "one faith" in Ephesians 4:5, therefore, underscores the unity among Christians. It emphasises that, regardless of their background or nationality, all believers serve the same Lord, share the same faith, and have experienced the same baptism, whether it be water baptism or Spirit baptism. This passage calls for Christians to work together for the cause of Christ and to spread the message of redemption.

The importance of unity among Christians

Unity among Christians is important because it glorifies God and displays the power of the gospel and the universality of its saving message.

Jesus prayed for unity among his followers before he was crucified, demonstrating its importance. He asked that all believers may be in the Father and the Son so that the world may believe that he was sent by God. He also prayed for "complete unity" so that the world would know that God sent him and loved his followers.

The Bible describes the experience of unity as good and pleasant and instructs Christians to diligently pursue "being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord".

Paul, in his letters, repeatedly addresses the issue of unity, reproving quarrelling and divisions and exhorting Christians to forgive each other, live in peace, and put away bitterness and anger.

Christian unity is a reflection of the triune God, who is one God in three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is also a reflection of the unity between Christ and his followers. As Christians are united in Christ, the world sees clearly that Jesus was sent by the Father and loves his church.

Additionally, unity among Christians is a powerful witness to the world. When Christians from diverse backgrounds work together in harmony, it demonstrates the universality of the gospel and its ability to save people from all nations, tribes, and tongues.

Furthermore, unity in the church is a reflection of the unity that will be experienced in heaven, where a great multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language will stand before God.

While there may be different interpretations and practices among Christian denominations, unity among Christians is essential. It is through unity that believers can effectively proclaim the message of redemption to the world and bring glory to God.

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