Unity: One Faith Ephesians 4:1-6

Ephesians 4:1-6 “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”

Faith in the New Testament: Conviction of the truth of anything; belief. The religious beliefs of Christians. Belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence). Fidelity; faithfulness. Enhanced Strong’s Dictionary

Faith in the New Testament: Conviction of the truth of anything; belief. The religious beliefs of Christians. Belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence). Fidelity; faithfulness. Enhanced Strong’s Dictionary Must determine which sense the Holy Spirit intended when He said there is “One Faith”.

We are to be unified in the “One Faith”. The more generic the accepted tenets of faith, the more inclusive our standard of fellowship will be. For example: God exists and created all things. Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. The basic principles of the gospel are the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. If we could stand united with anyone committed to these principles, we would have fellowship with a broad spectrum of religious people. That would be fine with me, but what does the New Testament say?

“One Faith” and “The Faith” are one and the same. Paul told Timothy to bring “the cloak” and “the books” when he came. (2 Timothy 4:13) Had he said “a cloak” or “some books”, Timothy could have brought any cloak and books he chose. Paul intended for Timothy to bring a specific cloak and specific books. Passages discussing “The Faith” are referring to one faith in particular. The One Faith. Again, what is the nature of “The Faith”?

Characteristics of the One Faith: It can be preached. “They kept hearing, ‘He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.’” (Galatians 1:23) You can be obedient to it. “The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.” (Acts 6:7) You can turn away from it instead. “But Elymas the magician was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.” (Acts 13:8)

Characteristics of the One Faith: You can continue in it. Strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.’” (Acts 14:22) “He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach - If indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.” (Colossians 1:22-23)

Characteristics of the One Faith: You can be strengthened in it. “So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.” (Acts 16:5) You can stand firm in it. “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13) You can earnestly contend for it. “Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.” (Jude 1:3) You can keep it for life. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)

Characteristics of the One Faith: You can fall away from it through false doctrine and unfaithfulness to its precepts. “But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.” (1 Timothy 4:1-3)

Characteristics of the One Faith: You can fall away from it through false doctrine and unfaithfulness to its precepts. “O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called ‘knowledge’ – which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith.” (1 Timothy 6:20-21)

Characteristics of the One Faith: You can fall away from it through false doctrine and unfaithfulness to its precepts. “There are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain. One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.’ This testimony is true. For this reason, reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.” (Titus 1:10-14)

Characteristics of the One Faith: You can fall away from it through false doctrine and unfaithfulness to its precepts. “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8) For the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:10)

Characteristics of the One Faith: Look at the sampling of the kinds of things that will cause you to fall away from the “the faith”: False doctrines like… Forbidding marriage Advocating abstaining from certain foods Worldly and empty chatter Opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge” Circumcision, Jewish myths Commandments of men Failing to live by the precepts of the faith… Failing to provide for your family Having a love for money Broader than faith in God, Jesus and the basic gospel story.

“The Faith” in the New Testament: Conviction of the truth of anything; belief. The religious beliefs of Christians. Belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence). Fidelity; faithfulness. Enhanced Strong’s Dictionary “The Faith” is a system of faith; a body of teachings originating entirely and exclusively with the authority of Christ and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

“The Faith” in the New Testament does not include: Worldly, empty chatter, opposing arguments of false ‘knowledge’ (1 Timothy 6:20) Myths, endless genealogies, mere speculations (1 Timothy 1:4) Foolish controversies, strife, disputes about the Law (Titus 3:9) Matters of personal conscience (Romans 14:2-3)

So, what does “The Faith” demand of me? Obey it. Stand firm in it and grow. Preach and teach it. Hold onto sound doctrine. Live by it. Contend earnestly for it. Keep it throughout life.

“Without faith it is impossible to please Him…” Believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the Son of the living God. (John 8:24) Confess your faith in Christ. (Romans 10:9-10) Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38) “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10) There is only One Faith worth living for.