Basis of Unity (1)

Ephesians 4:4-6

Studies in Ephesians (19)

“One”• Εἷς, (heis) - One and only one

(not two or more).• Used 7 times in these verses• Unity – 1 Cor. 1:10, Phil. 2:1-2, Eph. 4:1-3, John 17:20-21

• Some are readily accepted while others are dismissed (agree to disagree)

There is One Body (4:4)• Just as one Father, one Lord and

one Spirit, there is only one• The body is the church of Christ –

Ephesians 1:22-23 (Colossians 1:18)

•Matthew 16:18, “my church” (singular, collective noun)

•Ephesians 5:23•Acts 20:28• Only ONE church in each of these!

There is One Body (4:4)• One body, many members• Brethren need to work together •Romans 12:4-5•Ephesians 4:16•1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 27

Every part individually is important and still a part of the whole body

• Always individuals in relation to a congregation

There is One Body (4:4)• What is wrong with

denominationalism?• Denomination means a value

or a size of a series. • Religiously - A word that

implies divisions of the whole• The plea, “attend the church of

your choice”

Is denominationalism wrong?• Sometimes it is argued that

1 Corinthians 12:12-27is a reference to the various denominations (each part being a different part of the body of Christ). Or some see John 15:1-8, with Christ as the vine and various denominations as the various branches.

• Such misuses both of these passages.

Is denominationalism wrong?• Question: Can you baptize a

denomination or congregation? (1 Cor. 12:13)

•1 Cor. 12:27, “Now you are the body of Christ and members individually”

•John 15:6, “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered…”

Is denominationalism wrong?• If these passages are

denominations, the body is pulled apart in different directions and conflict.

• Consider 1 Cor. 12:24-25, “But God composed the body…that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care one for another…”

• Schism means faction or division (cf. 1 Cor. 1:13, “Is Christ divided?”)

Is denominationalism wrong?

• “But that was back then…”

• What did the “body” look like before denominations? What did the vine look like before denominations?

Is denominationalism wrong?

• “But that was back then…”

• I readily admit it was different, which is why I reject that as the model of 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Is denominationalism wrong?• “Unity in diversity” is NOT the unity

of the Bible!• John 17:20-21, 1 Cor. 1:10,

etc.• Same message in every

congregation – 1 Cor. 4:17•Rev. 1:4 – to the 7 churches of

Asia•Rev.2:7, 11, 17, 29, 3:6, 13,

22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Sprit says to the churches.”

Is denominationalism wrong?• Denominationalism minimizes the

importance of doctrinal or moral accuracy

• Often, rather than discussing doctrinal differences they are set aside or dismissed “for the sake of unity”.

• Why study if you can’t understand? (Eph. 5:17)

• NOTE: This is the foundation of many community churches today

Is denominationalism wrong?• Jesus taught, “But He answered

and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.” (Matthew 15:13)

• “Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)

There is One Body (4:4)• What about “churches”?•Galatians 1:2, Rom. 16:16, Rev. 1:4, 2 Cor. 11:8, 28

• In every passage, without exception, such is always reference to congregations, not denominations.

There is One Body (4:4)• What about “churches”?• What is the difference between denominations and congregations?

• Unity in teaching is found in congregations, Cf. 1 Cor. 4:17

• Denominations teach many different doctrines

There is only ONE body!

May we continually study His word and

seek to be part of Him!