Ephesians Part 18

Paul continues to unfold the mystery of the Church by calling believers to recognize and live within the oneness that defines the people of God, referred to as the body of Christ in Ephesians 4:4. “There is one body and one Spirit,” he writes, grounding our faith in the divine unity that Christ Himself established. The Church is not a collection of disconnected individuals, but a living, breathing body, joined and nourished by its Head, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:17–23). He is both the direction and the source of life for His people, sustaining us with His Spirit, guiding us in purpose, and empowering us for His work. Just as Paul affirms in Colossians 1:18, “He is the head of the body, the church,” the firstborn from the dead, through whom new life becomes possible. This body is holy, beloved and precious to Christ—His bride, redeemed through His death and resurrection.

To belong to this one Body is to belong to something greater than any denomination, nationality or social distinction. In Paul’s day, believers came from diverse backgrounds such as Romans, Greeks, Jews and those scattered in the Diaspora, yet they were blended into one family by the Spirit. The walls of division were broken down (Galatians 3:26–29), and distinctions that once separated were erased in Christ. All who believe are heirs of the same promise, united in one faith and one hope, bound together not by human organization but by the Holy Spirit and God’s vision.

The one Spirit binds this body together, breathing into it the very power and presence of God. The same Spirit which hovered over the waters of creation now moves within the Church, transforming hearts and renewing minds. Through the Holy Spirit, believers are sealed with a promise—the “down payment” of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13–14). This is the earnest of our redemption, the quiet assurance that the work begun in us will one day be completed. It is not a human spirit, but the Spirit of God—the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, and the same Spirit that convicts, comforts and empowers His people. As Paul reminds us elsewhere, “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord (Zechariah 4:6).

Then Paul moves to the one hope that steadies and directs the Church. Without vision, the people perish (Proverbs 29:18, King James Version), but with divine vision, the people endure. The hope of His calling lifts our eyes beyond the present—to the day when we will be revealed as sons and daughters of God (Romans 8:17; 1 John 3:2–3). It is this hope that anchors the soul, transforming despair into endurance, fear into faith. It is not transactional but transformational, reshaping who we are and how we live. Our hope is not in circumstances but in the certainty of Christ’s victory and our promised inheritance with Him.

“There is one Lord.” The Greek Kyrios (κύριος) is used hundreds of times in the New Testament and declares Jesus Christ as the supreme Master, the One before whom every knee will bow and every tongue confess (Philippians 2:9–11). To call Jesus Lord is to surrender and to place Him above all other allegiances, ambitions and authorities. As Jesus Himself said in Luke 6:46, 

“Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” 

To acknowledge His Lordship is not merely to profess belief but to live in obedience. The Sermon on the Mount, with its call to humility, love, forgiveness and purity of heart, outlines the life of one who truly recognizes Christ as Lord and one whose will is aligned with His.

Next, Paul mentions “one faith.” This faith is the personal trust and commitment that joins us to Christ. As we are reminded in Romans 10:17, “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” It is not static but living, growing stronger through trial and testing. It is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). It is through faith that we receive grace, and through grace that we are saved (Ephesians 2:8). Faith unites the Church just as surely as the Spirit fills it, for though we differ in maturity or understanding, we share the same foundation and belief in the crucified and risen Christ.

“There is one baptism.” Through baptism we are united with Christ in His death and resurrection (Romans 6:3–4). It is a symbolic burial of the old self and a rising into new life, a cleansing not merely of the body but of the conscience (1 Peter 3:21). In baptism, we are completely immersed in His death, to walk in newness of life through the Spirit. There may be many outward forms and traditions, but the essence remains: one Spirit, one faith, one entrance into the family of God.

And above all, Paul declares, “one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:6). This confession anchors everything. Our unity flows from His oneness. He is not distant but near, working through His Spirit in every believer. From Him the whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name (Ephesians 3:14–15). He is the source of our identity, the sustainer of our unity, and the goal of our worship.

God's Church is not merely a human institution but a divine creation, the dwelling place of God among His people. To live in this unity is to reflect the very nature of Him: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.

UYA Team | uya@ucg.org  

United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of the young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.