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Daily a new Bible text for devotion - EZBB

Ephesians 4:4-6

Ephesians 4:4-6

Paul lists seven things that are the essence of the unity of the church. The expression ONE means that Christ cannot be divided. Faith cannot be divided.

ONE BODY - This is the reference to the church, the body of Christ. Paul does not tolerate two bodies of Christ, one made up of Jews and the other made up of Gentiles. By the power of the Cross salvation is effected for Jews and Gentiles.

ONE SPIRIT - The allusion is to the Holy Spirit. Membership in the body of Christ occurs through the attraction, regeneration and indwelling of the Spirit. The church is not a mere organization because the presence of the Spirit constitutes the church and is the basis of its unity.

ONE HOPE - Paul says in Ephesians 2:12 - In ancient times the Ephesian believers were "strangers" from the covenants of promise, having no hope. The hope of our calling, as well as theirs, is what possessed us when we responded to the proposal of grace.

ONE LORD - here refers to the lordship of Christ. When people accepted Christ in those days, the confession they made was that JESUS IS LORD. Paul writes to the Romans that if men confess with their mouths that "Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Rom. 10:9).

ONE FAITH - Faith refers to the act of believing or what is believed.

ONE BAPTISM - Some say that Paul is talking about the rite of water baptism that served as an initiatory ceremony for admission into the Christian community. Others say he is referring to the baptism with the Holy Spirit, which does not nullify water baptism but reinforces the fact that it has been given a more valuable meaning.

ONE GOD AND FATHER OF ALL- God is the source of everything. He is over all-he is sovereign and supreme. He is by all means His power pervades the entire church. He is in all-his spirit dwelling in worship before the eternal throne itself, and in Christ we are all children of the same heavenly Father.