One Body
Because God is one, therefore we are to be one.
“There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).
Seven times in these verses, we read the word one. Paul is very clearly making a point, drawing our attention to something. He wants us to see the unity in God so that we live in the unity that comes from God.
What do I mean by saying that there is “unity in God? We see that there is one Lord (that’s Jesus), one Spirit, one God, and Father of all. Paul is pointing us to the unity within the Godhead, the oneness of the Trinity. These three persons are ONE, and there is only one of each. And he is showing us that all believers worship and follow this ONE God. We all look to the same savior. We are all animated, enlivened, and empowered by the same Spirit. And we all share a single heavenly Father who is God over all and through all and in all. So it is from this Godhead, this three-in-one, that the church is ONE:
We are one body–a single spiritual organism, the body of Christ, brought together and given life by the Holy Spirit.
We have one hope–in the good news of Jesus Christ, sent by the Father as our savior, our atoning sacrifice, the one who intercedes on our behalf, and the one who now sits at the right hand of God the Father until he will return, make all things new, and rule in righteousness forever.
We share one faith–the truth of the words, promises, and doctrines handed down to us from the Scriptures and by the prophets and apostles.
That we have one baptism is not a commentary on method or form but a declaration that we are baptized into the people of God, the family of God.
Because God is one, therefore we are to be one. Or rather, because God has worked from his oneness, we have been made into one new man.
ON THE HORIZON
NEXT STEPS: If you are interested in learning more about membership at Immanuel, our Next Steps Seminar is for you! You can join us on Saturday, March 1, 2025, from 9 AM to 3 PM at the Immanuel Cafe for our next class. RSVP here.
INFANT BAPTISM & DEDICATION SEMINAR: Interested in baptizing or dedicating your baby at Immanuel? Sign up to participate in our next parent seminar this Sunday, March 2nd at 10:45am! Before the meeting, please read through our booklet on infant baptism and child dedication so we can discuss your questions. If married, both spouses need to be present for the seminar. Afterwards, we will follow up with your next steps for participating in a baptism/dedication service!
MARRIAGE SEMINAR: If you are preparing for marriage or are young in your marriage, Join us on Saturday, March 29, from 9 AM - 1 PM for a marriage foundations seminar in the cafe. Lunch will be provided. Please Register HERE.