Ephesians 4:4–6: How can there be “one faith” if Christianity itself is divided into countless denominations? Understanding the “One Faith” of Ephesians 4:4–6 “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.” 1. The Calling to Oneness Paul’s words in Ephesians 4:4–6 emphasize the uniting reality of the gospel. By stating “one Lord, one faith, one baptism,” the text reveals that true unity is rooted in dependence on one God. The early church recognized this union as far more profound than mere organizational alignment. It did not demand total uniformity in practices (see Acts 15:19–20, where the Jerusalem Council allowed Gentile believers to keep certain freedoms). Yet these believers still acknowledged one faith in the risen Lord. The practical impact of this is seen throughout New Testament writings. While churches in Judea, Galatia, and Thessalonica varied in customs, Paul consistently reaffirmed the necessity of unity in the essentials (1 Corinthians 1:10). This foundation has guided generations of Christ-followers to hold central doctrines in common. 2. Early Church Diversity and Essential Unity From the earliest days, the Christian community had different practices based on cultural and regional variations. Acts 6 and Acts 15 show that Hebrews, Hellenists, and Gentiles had unique worship expressions. Yet these new believers held united convictions about Jesus’s identity, His sacrificial death, and His bodily resurrection. • Acts 6: The Hellenist Believers Cultural differences between Hebraic and Hellenistic Jews arose in the distribution of food. The solution involved appointing deacons to maintain harmony. These differences did not fracture the “one faith” but demonstrated the church’s willingness to address practical challenges while preserving spiritual unity. • Acts 15: The Jerusalem Council With Gentiles coming to faith, questions about circumcision and the Mosaic Law emerged. The council’s conclusion upheld the core revelation of Christ’s saving work while allowing freedom in secondary matters (Acts 15:19–20). This again illustrates the principle: essential doctrines remain steadfast, but there can be flexibility in non-essentials. 3. Core Doctrines That Unite Believers Despite denominational distinctions, Christians throughout history have rallied around the following essential doctrines: 1. The Nature of God – Belief in one eternal God who is “over all and through all and in all.” 2. The Person and Work of Jesus Christ – His deity, atoning death, bodily resurrection, and ultimate return (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). 3. Salvation by Grace through Faith – Paul’s emphasis in Ephesians 2:8–9 underscores salvation as God’s gift. 4. Authority of Scripture – From the testimony of Jesus (Matthew 5:17–18) to the apostolic declarations (2 Timothy 3:16), Christians share confidence in the God-breathed Scriptures. 5. The Holy Spirit’s Indwelling – Mentioned often in the New Testament (Romans 8:9–11; 1 Corinthians 3:16) as the divine power guiding and sustaining believers. These shared convictions make up the “one faith” Paul proclaims. Denominations might differ regarding worship styles, church governance, or secondary doctrinal points (e.g., forms of communion or music). Nevertheless, these do not overthrow the foundation of faith that is common to all genuine followers of Christ. 4. The Role of Denominations: Why They Exist Though modern believers appear divided into numerous denominations—Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, and others—there is a historical arc behind these distinctions: 1. Cultural and Linguistic Contexts Over time, as the gospel spread across continents, indigenous cultures appropriated worship styles and traditions that fit their context. This process inevitably birthed varying liturgies and leadership structures. 2. Theological Emphases Movements arising in different eras (e.g., the Reformation in the 16th century) addressed specific doctrinal misunderstandings. Luther’s emphasis on justification by faith alone and Calvin’s teachings on God’s sovereignty each led to unique denominations. Yet, these streams share the same Christ-centered core. 3. Historical Reforms Episodes like the Protestant Reformation and various “Great Awakenings” often created new groups that sought to apply Scripture with renewed passion. These were not so much rejections of historic Christian beliefs as efforts to refine the practice of those beliefs. 4. Mutual Recognitions of Another’s Faith in Christ Today, many denominations recognize that, despite stylistic or secondary differences, they affirm the same central truths if they uphold the core gospel message. Important ecumenical dialogues and statements throughout the 20th and 21st centuries have acknowledged shared doctrinal ground. Even archaeology and textual analysis—ranging from the discovery of early church meeting places to ancient manuscript evidence—show that while early Christians had distinct regional expressions, the same gospel narratives and epistles were treasured universally (e.g., the early manuscripts found in Oxyrhynchus, Egypt, containing passages of the New Testament consistent with the rest of the known manuscripts). 5. Biblical Analogies Illustrating Unified Diversity 1 Corinthians 12 offers a powerful illustration of how believers can be functionally diverse yet remain one in essence. Paul compares the church to a living body with multiple members, each serving different functions: • One Body, Many Members The hand and the foot are different both in appearance and purpose. Despite their differences, they unite as part of one body. This underscores how denominations—bearing different cultural practices or leadership structures—can still be united under Christ as the head (Ephesians 1:22–23). • Varied Gifts, One Purpose The Spirit empowers believers in distinct ways for the common cause of glorifying God (1 Corinthians 12:4–7). Denominations often emerge around a particular emphasis—such as evangelism, caring for the needy, or developing deeper theological reflection. These emphases can complement each other rather than fracture the one faith. 6. The High Priestly Prayer of Jesus In John 17:20–21, Jesus prays, “I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one…” The heart of Jesus’ prayer underscores unity that transcends demographic or denominational lines. Archaeological studies of the early church—like the Dura-Europos church house dating to the mid-3rd century—show an early meeting place for believers that contained depictions of biblical scenes recognized across Christian communities. This suggests believers widely shared the same central truths of salvation in Jesus. Jesus’ prayer remains relevant: even as countless denominations exist, unity in Him remains the unchanging goal and spiritual fact for all who trust in His name. This unity is not rooted in having a single external institution but in shared faith in the risen Christ. 7. Reaffirming Our One Faith Today A divided world often sees denominational variety as contradiction. Yet, the fact that believers across denominational lines proclaim the same core truths—Jesus crucified, risen, and reigning—provides real evidence of a fundamental unity. Philologists and textual critics demonstrate that variations in translation or regional usage do not compromise the essential messages of the historical manuscripts. Miraculous accounts throughout church history—from early apostolic healings (Acts 3:7–9) to well-documented modern cases of transformation—transcend denominational boundaries, attesting to the same Holy Spirit at work. When we declare that there is “one faith,” we affirm: • One shared Savior – Jesus Christ. • One foundational gospel – Christ died for sins and rose again on the third day, according to the Scriptures. • One future hope – eternal life in the presence of God. Denominations might differ on worship styles or secondary doctrines, but the overarching historical evidence and textual integrity of Scripture reinforce that the central truths have remained consistent across centuries. 8. Conclusion Ephesians 4:4–6 underscores a unity that goes beyond labels. While denominational designations can be helpful in organizational structure or reflecting certain focuses, they do not negate “one faith.” The unifying thread of Christianity lies in the risen Christ, the one Holy Spirit who indwells believers, and the one God and Father over all. Christians of every denominational background can celebrate shared essential beliefs. This common ground remains the foundation upon which all else is built, enabling the global church—diverse in cultural expression yet united in core convictions—to stand firm in the truth of scripture and the message of salvation. As Paul writes, “So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another” (Romans 12:5). This unity reflects the one faith we embrace, grounded in the resurrection of Christ and proclaiming the one gospel of hope for all people. |
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