One in Christ

GOLDEN TEXT: “For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.” —Ephesians 2:14

EPHESIANS 4:1-7, 11-16

THE Holy Spirit is one of the potential factors in bringing about unity in Christ. Paul wrote, “By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” (I Cor. 12:13) In this text Paul mentions two powerful obstacles to unity which prevailed in the Early Church. One was the fact that some believers were Jews and some Gentiles; and the other, that some were “free,” while others were “bond,” or slaves.

It is the Jews and Gentiles that are referred to in our Golden Text as the “both” which are made one in Christ, the “middle wall,” or “partition,” that was between them being broken down in keeping with the progress of the divine plan as revealed through the written Word by the Holy Spirit. God continued an exclusive covenant with the Jews until three and one-half years after the death of Jesus. Then that “partition” was broken down and believing Gentiles became fellow-heirs with the Jews to the covenants of promise.

Maintaining the “unity of the Spirit” between these two groups during the first years when this phase of the divine plan was designed to go into effect was a real test of Christian faith and understanding. It is this unity that Paul is particularly encouraging in verse 3, chapter 4 of the epistle by the statement, “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” This particular issue scarcely exists among true believers today, but there are other things which tend to divide. Wherever the Spirit of division, contrary to the doctrines, manifests itself, it should be put down, and the unity of the Spirit maintained.

With considerable detail Paul sets forth the basis of true Christian unity—“There is one body.” There are not two bodies of Christ. There is one “Spirit,” and the Holy Spirit does not lead some in one direction and others in another. “Ye are called in one hope of your calling.” In the Early Church, or since, believing Jews have not been called to one position in the plan and Gentiles to another. There is just one calling for all, and that is the “high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”—Phil. 3:14

There is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” The thought is that the Jewish and Gentile believers did not have a separate Lord, that Jesus was the Messiah and Lord of all. They all had the same faith, the “most holy faith” “once delivered unto the saints,” some of whom, by nature, were Jews, and others Gentiles.” (Jude 20,3) And “one baptism,” the baptism into Christ’s death, symbolized by water immersion.—Rom. 6:3

And then, as the background of all, is the fact that there is one God and Father of all who is above all, and through all and in you all.” Believers in the Early Church were not called upon to reject the trinitarian god. They understood clearly, as enlightened Christians do today, that there is “one God,” not three, and “one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all.”—I Tim. 2:3-6

In the second part of our lesson Paul explains that in order to bring about this unity in the church the Lord has provided instructors, helpers. He lists them as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. The first of these wrote and spoke under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and their messages are contained in the Word of God. The pastors, teachers, and evangelists, although not inspired, are nevertheless needed in the ministry of the truth, and their labors are an essential contribution toward the “perfecting of the saints” and the “edifying of the body of Christ.”

There should be an endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit even though there may be unimportant differences of understanding. But these differences should be reconciled as quickly and as fully as possible. In other words, we should endeavor to reach “unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God.”

Attaining to this position we will not be “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness.” The marginal translation of verse 15 gives us the word “sincere.” If in sincerity and in love we seek to be guided in the way of truth and righteousness, the Lord, through his agencies, will help and sustain us.

QUESTIONS

Who are the “both” referred to in out Golden Text?

Enumerate and explain the various truths which Paul mentions as the basis of Christian unity.

What provisions did the Lord make for the saints to enable them to attain “unity of the faith”?

What quality of character must we have and maintain in order to enjoy oneness of fellowship with the brethren?

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