Paul lists seven wonderful truths declaring that each is “one of a kind”. The whole body of our Christian doctrine is embodied in these seven sacred pillars. In each of the supporting scriptural references the subject is always referred to in the singular form.
I. “ONE BODY” signifying one true church.
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:15-16 (NKJV)
“And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” Colossians 1:18 (NKJV)
II. “ONE SPIRIT” refers to the Holy Spirit whom Jesus said that the Father would send.
"And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;
that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you. John 14:16-17 (NASB)
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” Romans 8:16 (NKJV)
“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14 (NKJV)
III. “ONE HOPE” signifying that outside of Christ there is no hope.
“The mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:26-27 (NKJV)
IV. “ONE LORD” signifying the preeminence of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11 (NKJV)
“For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell.” Colossians 1:19 (NKJV)
V. “ONE FAITH” signifying one body of truth.
“Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” Jude 1:3 (NKJV)
“Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 2:41-42 (NKJV)
VI. “ONE BAPTISM”: the baptism of the believer by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ.
“For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.” I Corinthians 12:13 (NKJV). This scripture clearly sets forth that the Holy Spirit as the One baptizing.
With this thought in mind, consider Galatians 3:26-28.
“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26-28 (NKJV)
VII. “ONE GOD AND FATHER OF ALL”
“Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us?” Malachi 2:10 (NKJV)
“I am the LORD, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me.” Isaiah 45:5 (NKJV)
“Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.” Romans 3:29-30 (NKJV)
Bits & Pieces of Sermon by Kenneth Trent
