Tawa Baptist

Oneness

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

Video Link: https://youtu.be/7ScfYPCmH4s

Structure:

  • Introduction
  • Oneness
  • Conclusion

Introduction:

Good morning everyone.

Today, for Campbell’s baptismal service, I have chosen a Scripture reading from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. In the book of Ephesians, Paul explores the mystery and wonder of the Christian church. From Ephesians chapter 4, verses 1-6, Paul writes…

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

May the Spirit of Jesus illuminate God’s word for us.

Oneness:

The largest living organism on the planet is a tree, known as Pando. On the surface Pando looks like a forest of individual trees, but underneath it is connected by one huge root system. Pando is, in fact, one tree with 47,000 stems.

Pando stands as a parable for the Christian church. On the surface, the church appears like a forest of individual trees, but underneath it is connected by one huge root system. The church is, in fact, one giant living organism with hundreds of thousands of congregations.

In verses 4-6 of Ephesians 4 we come across 7 ones: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.

These 7 ones are not separate or independent of each other; they are all inter-related. The 7 ones are one. Paul is reminding us here of the root system all believers share in common.

The one body is the church universal, all Christians everywhere throughout history. The church may seem fragmented and divided from our perspective, with all its different denominations and controversies, but from God’s perspective the church is one, like a tapestry with many different coloured threads, or like a human body with many different parts.

Baptism is entry to the church. By being baptised we become part of the body of Christ, one of the stems growing from the ancient root system of the church.

There is one Spirit, the Holy Spirit who gives life and breath to the body. Indeed, the Greek word for Spirit also means breath. As believers in Jesus, we all breathe the same air, the same Spirit of God. The Spirit gives life to the body of Christ. Without the Spirit the church is dead.

Baptism is a sign of life, a new beginning, made possible by the Spirit of Jesus.  

There is one hope. Jesus is our hope. Because God raised Jesus from the dead, we have hope of eternal life, through faith in Jesus. No more suffering, no more sickness, no more tears.  

Baptism is a parable of resurrection. Going down under the water is a picture of dying to our old way of life. And coming up out of the water anticipates our resurrection when Jesus returns in glory.

There is one Lord, that is the Lord Jesus Christ. To say that ‘Jesus is Lord’ means that Jesus has authority over all things in heaven and on earth. Jesus has conquered sin and death. He is worthy of our love and obedience.

Baptism is submission to Christ. We no longer live for ourselves. We live for Jesus and God’s kingdom purpose. 

Because there is one Lord it naturally follows there is one faith.

Jesus is the object of our faith. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to God the Father except through Jesus the Son.

Baptism is an act of trust. We don’t know where our journey of faith will take us. We don’t know what the future holds, but we trust Jesus to be present with us wherever he leads.

There is one baptism. Although different Christian denominations practice baptism in different ways (for example some sprinkle and some immerse),

we are all baptised into the same person, that is into Jesus Christ.

Regardless of the amount of water, baptism is a commitment to learn from Jesus. To be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ is to become a disciple of Jesus, his apprentice.  

The seventh ‘one’, in Paul’s list, is the one God and Father of all. God is our creator; we are made in His image. Although we appear different or separate, we (who believe in Jesus) all stem from the same root.

With this in mind, we are called to unity, to oneness. Our unity comes from God. God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one.

But unity also requires some effort on our part. We need to be humble, gentle and patient, bearing with one another in love.

Baptism is an important step in responding to God’s call to unity.

Campbell, we are blessed and encouraged by your baptism today. You are not alone. You are one with us and you are in Christ. Remain in him.

Let us pray…

Gracious God, help us to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.