‘One Baptism’

One Lord, one faith, one baptism….

Ephesians 4:5

Paul declares that there is ‘one baptism.’  Baptism as a rite, ordinance, or sacrament has been a subject of discussion among believers for centuries.  In the context of this passage, where Paul is demonstrating the true unity of the redeemed, it is very unlikely that he is referring to the practice of baptism at all.  What Paul is referencing is our baptism into Christ by the Holy Spirit.  This is most sensible when we consider Paul’s statement in I Corinthians 12:13 where he remarks, ‘For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.’  The language he uses is quite similar to the language of the passage we have been considering here in Ephesians.  We may differ widely with regard to the modes, subjects, and significance of the rite of baptism.  What unifies us as believers in Christ is that the Holy Spirit has baptized us into one Body, the Body of Christ, the redeemed of all ages.  Therefore, when we consider this unity of which Paul is speaking, we can speak of all of the people of God as having received this ‘one baptism.’  Upon that we can agree.  Because the ‘one Spirit’ has baptized us into ‘one body’ we have true unity in Christ.

O God of Grace and Glory,
we rejoice in the blessed workings of Your Holy Spirit.
We praise You that He has baptized us into the Body of Christ,
that we all may be one.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning