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). M
All the world knows that “Christianity” offers “many faiths.” But believers know that “one Lord” reveals “one faith.”9 Believers know because their new life began when they “became obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7). They know because, as true believers, they “stand firm in the faith” (1 Corinthians 16:13) and “continue in the faith” (Acts 14:22). They know because they “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3). They must “fight the good fight of the faith”10 because the Spirit warns that many will “depart from the faith” (1 Timothy 4:1).11
All the world knows that Christendom practices “many baptisms.” But believers realize “one Lord” still requires “one baptism” for “all nations.”
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:18-19).12 M
All the world knows that Christendom offers “many bodies” with a variety of “hopes.” But believers know that Jesus died for the very purpose of creating in Himself “one body” that shares “one hope”13 There is not one hope for elite saints, and another for ordinary members. For example, there is not some special hope for Israelites and a different hope for Gentiles. All who are in Christ are “co-heirs with Christ”!14
This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel (Ephesians 3:6).
9. Research subject – The faith: Ephesians 4:13; Colossians 1:5; 2:7; Acts 16:5; 1 Timothy 3:9; 4:6; 5:8; 6:10,12,21; Philippians 1:27; Titus 1:13; Hebrews 4:14; 1 Peter 5:9
10. 1 Timothy 6:12 cf. 1 Timothy 1:18; 2 Timothy 4:7; 2 Corinthians 10:4
11. Matthew 24:10; 2 Timothy 4:3-4
12. “Repent and be baptized, every one of you” (Acts 2:38-39).
13. Research subject – The hope: Ephesians 1:18; 3:6; Colossians 1:5,23,27; Acts 23:6; 24:15; 26:6-7; 28:20; Romans 5:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:8; Titus 1:2; 3:7; Hebrews 3:6; 10:23; 1 Peter 3:15