Victory Briefings

Victory Briefings


VB059 The Body as One (Eph 4:4-6)

February 06, 2023

[VB059 Podcast Notes]


Ephesians 4:4-6
The Body as One (4:4-6)

[4:4-6] There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; [5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism; [6] one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.


Verses 4 through 6 are going to tell us everything we have in common – seven elements of unity centered on the three Persons of the Trinity. The main personality in verse 4 is the Holy Spirit. In verse 5, the personality is Jesus. In verse 6, God the Father is the main personality.


Verses 7 through 11 are going to tell us what we all have as individuals. I am glad I’m a member of the body of Christ, a part of the whole, yet I am still an individual. God loves me the same as He loves everyone else in the body of Christ, but He rewards me as an individual.


[4:4] There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;


The “one body” is the body of Christ. At the moment of the new birth, the Holy Spirit plunges into the body of Christ. Although there are many local bodies or local churches we may attend, there is one universal body, the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.


One Spirit” is obviously the Holy Spirit who indwells and empowers the church. “In whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (Eph. 2:22). “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1Cor. 3:16)


The words “called in one hope of your calling,” indicate that all believers have a common hope regarding their future with God. This hope began with “a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1Pet. 1:3). And we all look forward to “the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,” when He returns (Titus 2:13). “And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1Jn. 3:3)


[4:5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism.


There is only “one Lord” and Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ. We all look to one head of the church. Who earned that position by His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, Who is seated at the right hand of God the Father. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords.


There is only “one faith” which makes us all members of one body and gives us one Lord. This is the measure of faith by which we are born again (Eph. 2:8). This faith can grow through knowledge of God’s Word (Rom.10:17) and can bring us many more blessings in this life. We really never gain more faith, but we grow and increase in the “one faith.”


The “one baptism” refers to Spirit baptism into the one body. “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body–whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free–and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.” (1Cor. 12:13). There is only one baptism which makes us members of one body, and gives us one Spirit, one hope of our calling. This baptism gives us one Lord, and delivers us by one faith.


[4:6] one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.


Paul is talking about the Creator of the universe, and the Father of all believers (not all mankind, but His family). The “all” used four times here is; all in one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith. He is above all – our Sovereign God – working through us all, and in us all, by the authority provided by our one Lord.


Father, thank you for manifesting Yourself through us on the earth during the church age.


Christianity is not like religions that have many gods. We have one God who is the “Father of all,” who have made Jesus Lord and Savior. He is said to be “above all.” He is the highest, He is even the Father of our Lord Jesus. All majesty, power, dominion, praise, and worship goes to Him. There even will come a time when satan’s kingdom will admit He is above all, including them (Phil. 2:10-11).


We have just gone through another one of Paul’s lists. Seven basic spiritual realities that unite all true Christians.


One body, one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father.


Paul was concerned that Christians not break the unity of the Spirit by agreeing with false teachings.


Rom 16:17-20 (NKJV) –[17] Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. [18] For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. [19] For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. [20] And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.


John also warned believers of deceivers who would come with bogus doctrine.


2Jn 1:6-11 (NKJV) –[6] This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it. [7] For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. [8] Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. [9] Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. [10] If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; [11] for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.


James was concerned about guarding spiritual truths and wisdom that is from above.


Jas 3:17 (NKJV) –But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.


We will not always agree on things, but we all must continually endeavor “to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3).


Prayer:


Father, bless my friends with the knowledge of Your Word. What a wonderful thing it is to be a part of Your family!


Thank You Father, we have the great hope of our calling. Jesus raised from the dead, and so will we be raised on the great day of the resurrection of the dead. All believers have a common hope and a future with You, Lord.


As we look forward to the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. We will continue to operate in words of faith with authority in the Name of Jesus, amen.


God bless you my friend,