New WBS Class Book Explores Unity In Ephesians

NEW WBS CLASS BOOK Explores Unity In Ephesians

BY John Reese | PRESIDENT EMERITUS

In the context of church unity, someone has said, “Our movement is the only one that achieved the exact opposite of its original purposes.” When that quote was sent to me, I replied, “Actually, our movement is not the only one. The first One to start a unity movement (John 10, 17) was Jesus. To all appearances, the result to date has been a disaster, the exact opposite of His purpose, with over 40,000 Christian denominations and splinters within many of those. That is why this WBS curriculum booklet, ‘Unity in Christ,’ was written — to shine a biblical perspective on that impression.”

Jesus did not create the chaos of modern Christendom. Just as Jesus predicted, His enemy has sown wicked weeds. They thrive in His field and compete with His crop (Matthew 13:24-30). So, do we despair? Or do we trust that Jesus’ “good seed” still grows to be harvested at His return? Do we seek new interpretations that align with our disappointment? Or do we let Jesus define unity (John 17:20-23) and its seven “ones” (Ephesians 4:1-6)?

ONE GOD AND FATHER

In Ephesians, God is first “the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:3), then as the Father of all, He adopts “in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3-5). Ephesians is God’s welcome letter to adopted Gentiles: “You are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19). One Father has one family. He is neither a polygamist nor an adulterer.

ONE LORD

The “one Lord” is Jesus. He reigns at the Father’s right hand, “far above all rule and authority” (Ephesians 1:20-21). “One Lord” leads in one direction. Other leaders take people in other directions (Matthew 7:13-23;24:5; Acts 20:29-30). Beware of invented Christs (Mark 13:22; 2 Corinthians 11:4). Listen only to one Shepherd whose voice gathers one flock (John 10:16; Matthew 23:8).

ONE SPIRIT

How do we hear the Shepherd’s voice that unites one flock? In Ephesians, the Holy Spirit is the Revealer. He has revealed Christ’s truth through the apostles and prophets, leading to “the unity of the faith” (Ephesians 2:20; 3:5; 4:11-13; 6:17). The Spirit is also the Resident, God’s way of dwelling in us (Ephesians 2:21-22; 3:16-17; 5:18). Since all who are “in Christ” share one Spirit, we are “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).

ONE FAITH

Which is the “one faith”? Each denomination has its own crystalized creed – though often diluted now to suit Postmodern ambiguity. Here is an interesting question: In which part of Ephesians does Paul present the “one faith”? Just the foundational truths in the first half? Or is the second half included? Or is it only initial faith for conversion to Christ? For Paul, “the unity of the faith” is about “mature manhood… the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13).

One might think, “But brother Paul, that is too much on which to expect agreement.” Think of it this way: Can we be united on “one Lord” though we cannot comprehend everything about His greatness? Similarly, “one faith” exists as objective reality, even when we have not mastered all of it. “All the truth” (John 16:13) has a unifying force that does not depend on our level of learning. We all—even newborns in Christ—can unite on it because “disciples” keep learning. We commit to “grow up in every way” into Christ’s fullness (Ephesians 4:15). This holistic Christianity captures “every thought” for Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5), which is very different from proposals that seek the minimum on which Christians can agree.

ONE BAPTISM

“One baptism” puzzles many today. They find baptism too controversial, too divisive for prominence as a pillar of unity. But New Testament Christians know baptism as a uniting experience. “All” come into Christ through baptism (Romans 6:3; Acts 2:38-41; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:26-27). It enters Christ’s death that cleanses, unites and empowers by His resurrection (Acts 22:16;Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12).

ONE BODY

One head has one body, that is, one church (Ephesians 1:22-23). Christ’s blood reconciles Jews and Gentiles “in one body through the cross” (Ephesians 2:13-16). How dare we split Christ’s body or try to belong to any other body? When immature Corinthians tried to denominate—to divide by names—such a disgrace was not tolerated (1 Corinthians 1-4). Which is the “one body”? Ephesians 5:24 would reply, “The church [that] submits to Christ.” Christ removes those who persist in disobedience (Acts 3:23; Revelation 2:5; 3:16). Who are members of Christ’s body? Ephesians would reply, those who are “faithful in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 1:1).

ONE HOPE

Before creation, God planned to select those “in Christ” to be His children. Now, the Holy Spirit assures our inheritance (Ephesians 1:5, 11, 14). We all share the same destiny: “In the coming ages [God will] show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness” (Ephesians 2:7).