Ephesians 4:5 Discussion

[Van]

Ephesians 4:5 NASB
one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

The above is a snippet from a sentence that spans Ephesians 4:4 through 4:6. Here is the completed thought:

​

​

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also 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. ​

The idea is that we, as members of the body of Christ, should exhibit the unity of Christ's Spirit, and not be intolerant of our siblings in Christ. To make this point of unity, Paul makes his inspired case, there is one body of Christ, one Spirit of Christ, just as you had the one hope of reconciliation (with the gospel's invitation) one Lord Jesus, one faith once credited, one spiritual baptism into Him, one God and Father of all, Yahweh, who is over all of us, and who surrounds us all, and who is within us all.

 

[Charlie24]

Ephesians 4:5 NASB
one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

The above is a snippet from a sentence that spans Ephesians 4:4 through 4:6. Here is the completed thought:

​

​

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also 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. ​

The idea is that we, as members of the body of Christ, should exhibit the unity of Christ's Spirit, and not be intolerant of our siblings in Christ. To make this point of unity, Paul makes his inspired case, there is one body of Christ, one Spirit of Christ, just as you had the one hope of reconciliation (with the gospel's invitation) one Lord Jesus, one faith once credited, one spiritual baptism into Him, one God and Father of all, Yahweh, who is over all of us, and who surrounds us all, and who is within us all.

I think we pretty much see it the same, Van. Here's the way I understand it.

Paul is speaking of the unity of faith in our salvation.

There is only one Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ that can save us.

There is only one Spirit that works through the Cross of Christ to save us, the Holy Spirit.

There is only one faith, the faith in what Christ did for us on the Cross.

There is only one baptism that actually saves us, the spiritual baptism where the Holy Spirit baptizes us into Christ by grace through faith.

There is only one Father that reigns supreme over all things.


I see it as Paul establishing the foundation of our salvation, he's calling for unity with all believers in these truths as the only way to be saved.

All who are baptized into Christ are one body of believers unified by faith in Christ.

 

[MMDAN]

Ephesians 4:5 - one Lord, one faith, one baptism.

1 Corinthians 12:13 - For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. *Also see John 4:10,14; 7:37-39 for the word drink(s) and see the connection with the Holy Spirit.

 

[Van]

I think we pretty much see it the same, Van. Here's the way I understand it.

Paul is speaking of the unity of faith in our salvation.

There is only one Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ that can save us.

There is only one Spirit that works through the Cross of Christ to save us, the Holy Spirit.

There is only one faith, the faith in what Christ did for us on the Cross.

There is only one baptism that actually saves us, the spiritual baptism where the Holy Spirit baptizes us into Christ by grace through faith.

There is only one Father that reigns supreme over all things.


I see it as Paul establishing the foundation of our salvation, he's calling for unity with all believers in these truths as the only way to be saved.

All who are baptized into Christ are one body of believers unified by faith in Christ.

Yes, we pretty much understand Paul's appeal for unity within the body of Christ. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Van]

Ephesians 4:5 - one Lord, one faith, one baptism.

1 Corinthians 12:13 - For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. *Also see John 4:10,14; 7:37-39 for the word drink(s) and see the connection with the Holy Spirit.

Thanks for an excellent contribution! Here is how I understand your verse:

1) "by one Spirit" the "by" translates the Greek preposition "en" which locationally means "in" or "within," but is also used to show instrumentality, the associated thing being used. The the Spirit of God is doing the action of transferring our human spirits into the spiritual body of Christ.

2) "made to drink into one Spirit" In this usage I think made to drink is used metaphorically for saturated in Christ's Spirit, as we are then within His Spirit and His Spirit is then within us.

3) Yes, "drink" is also used in other verses to address our job as born anew believers to be witnesses for Christ, as some of us plant, and others water from our innermost being (our reborn human spirit). The rivers of living water flow from the gospel of Christ through our witness into the harvest of the Lord.