The One Spirit

by Dan C. Bailey The Bible enumerates seven "ones" in Ephesians 4:4-6. God is not divided, but He is one. There are three "persons" in the Godhead, yet these three are one in divine nature. Paul said by inspiration, "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Eph. 4:4-6). The one Spirit in this context is the Holy Spirit. In this passage of scripture, we have the one God and Father of all, the one Lord (Jesus Christ), and the one Spirit (the Holy Spirit). In the great commission Jesus said, "...All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen" (Matthew 28:18-20). The "one" Holy Spirit of God was sent by Jesus to guide His chosen apostles into "all truth." Jesus told His apostles, "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you" (John 16:12-15). In this very passage we see that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one in teaching. Can you imagine the Holy Spirit contradicting the Son? Or can you imagine the Son contradicting the Father? It is abundantly clear that the Holy Spirit was sent to guide the apostles "into all truth." Since there is one Spirit and since He gave one united set of instructions to the apostles, why do people say that it does not matter if we differ in doctrine? The "one Spirit" would surely reveal one plan of salvation. The "one Spirit" would surely reveal one true way to worship God, and one true way to serve God. It is the "one Spirit" who teaches us that there is one body. The one body is the body of Christ or the church. "But now are they many members, yet but one body" (I Cor. 12:20). "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all" (Eph. 1:22-23). "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence" (Col. 1:18). The Lord established His church and you should be a member of it. The "one Spirit" has given us the one gospel. Have you obeyed it?

- Dan C. Bailey serves as a minister with the State Street Church of Christ in Bristol, VA. He may be contacted through the congregation's website at https://www.thelordsway.com/statestreetchurchofchrist/framedindex.asp?Group=Home

One Hope

by Dan C. Bailey   We read in Ephesians 4:4-6, "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." Paul teaches us that there is "one hope" of our calling. That is, those who are Christians, called by the gospel, have one and the same hope. The hope is of eternal life and all that is included. We read in Titus 1:2, "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began." Our hope is described as"...an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast..." in Hebrews 6:19. Our hope is with Christ and in heaven where Jesus has gone before us. "Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec" (Hebrews 6:20). "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2). Hope contains an element of desire as well as expectation. We desire to be with the Lord, and by faith we expect it. Again, Paul said, "Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord" (II Corinthians 5:6-8). Heaven is such a grand and glorious thought! It is a place with many mansions. "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:2-3). It is a place where, "...God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" (Revelation 21:4). Doesn't it seem a little strange that so many claim to be Christians with the same hope but they are divided as if there was more than one Bible, more than one body, or more than one Spirit? God's people should be united, they should be one. My friend, give up the traditions and the commandments of men. Throw all the creeds in the fire and take your stand upon the authority of the Word of God. God's people have "one hope" of their calling. "We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel" (Colossians 1:3-5). ONE HOPE   There is but one heaven, the hope of our calling.   To cling to that hope will keep us from falling.   One Savior who died on the old rugged tree,   To save poor lost sinners, like you and like me.   One hope of a mansion in glory above,   One hope of a home that's so full of love!   So let us hold fast in spite of the strife,   And all of the trials that we have in this life.   In heaven, no struggles, nor sorrows, nor pain.   And to die in the Lord is nothing but gain.   Dan C. Bailey / 9/30/08   "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21

- Dan C. Bailey serves as a minister with the State Street Church of Christ in Bristol, VA. He may be contacted through the congregation's website at https://www.thelordsway.com/statestreetchurchofchrist/framedindex.asp?Group=Home

The One Spirit

By Dan Bailey       The Bible enumerates seven "ones" in Ephesians 4:4-6. God is not divided, but He is one. There are three "persons" in the Godhead, yet these three are one in divine nature. Paul said by inspiration, "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Ephesians 4:4-6). The one Spirit in this context is the Holy Spirit. In this passage of we have the one God and Father of all, the one Lord (Jesus Christ), and the one Spirit (the Holy Spirit).     In the great commission Jesus said, "...All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen" (Matthew 28:18-20). The "one" Holy Spirit of God was sent by Jesus to guide His chosen apostles into "all truth."     Jesus told His apostles, "l have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said l, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you" (John 16:12-15). In this very passage we see that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one in teaching. Can you imagine the Holy Spirit contradicting the Son? Or can you imagine the Son contradicting the Father? It is abundantly clear that the Holy Spirit was sent to guide the apostles "into all truth*"     Since there is one Spirit and since he gave one united set of instructions to the apostles, why do people say that it does not matter if we differ in doctrine? The "one Spirit" would surely reveal one plan of salvation. The "one Spirit" would surely reveal one true way to worship God, and one true way to serve God. It is the "one Spirit" who teaches us that there is one body. The one body is the body of Christ or the church. "But now are they many members, yet but one body" (I Corinthians 12:20). "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filter all in all" (Ephesians 1:22-23). "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence" (Colossians 1:18). The Lord established His church and you should be a member of it. The "one Spirit" has given us the one gospel. Have you obeyed it?

- Dan C. Bailey serves as a minister with the State Street Church of Christ in Bristol, VA. He may be contacted through the congregation's website at https://www.thelordsway.com/statestreetchurchofchrist/framedindex.asp?Group=Home

One Lord

By Dan Bailey     The Bible teaches us that there is "one Lord." This statement is found in found in Ephesians 4:4-6: "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." Since the immediate context mentions the one Spirit and the one Father, the Lord under consideration is the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God the Father made his Son both Lord and Christ. Peter preached this on the day of Pentecost. "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36). To be the Lord is to be the Ruler or Master. God has given Christ all power. "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Matthew 28:18).     Since there is one Lord Jesus Christ who died for us, God's people should be one in Christ. "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Galatians 3:26-29). If there is to be neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free, male nor female, what makes us think that God is pleased with the divisions that exist in the denominational world? Who could scripturally argue that all of the denominations are "one" in Christ Jesus? The truth is that the one Lord doesn't give but one set of instructions to his people. The problem is, too many are not following those instructions.     It is clear that on the judgment day, some people will mistakenly have the mindset that Jesus was their Lord! But he was not, because they did not do what he commanded. "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46). The very confession that one makes prior to becoming a Christian recognizes that Jesus is the Lord and Savior. To confess that Jesus is the Son of God is to confess him as Lord. If we believe in the Lord, then we will respond to the great commission that he gave to his apostles. "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:15-16).     Do you really believe that Jesus is the one Lord? Or are you following the traditions and commandments of men? Just follow Jesus, the one Lord! There is no other way to heaven. One Lord Jesus is our Savior and Lord, Out of his mouth comes a sharp two-edged sword All angels and men will bow at his feet; The rich and the poor, the vile and the sweet The dead will be raised and stand at the throne, But only the faithful will enter his home. The Lord shed his blood while he died on the tree. He will wash you and cleanse you, and make your soul freez So if you believe in his powerful word, Submit to his will and obey the one Lord.                                 Dan C. Bailey

- Dan C. Bailey serves as a minister with the State Street Church of Christ in Bristol, VA. He may be contacted through the congregation's website at https://www.thelordsway.com/statestreetchurchofchrist/framedindex.asp?Group=Home

One Faith

By Dan C. Bailey       The Bible teaches us that there is but one faith. It is just as sure and just as clear as there is one God. Paul informs us in Ephesians 4:4-6, "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." The one faith is the "faith of the gospel." "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel" (Philippians 1:27). The "one faith of the gospel" is that one system of faith whereby one is saved and has the hope of eternal life. "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began" (Titus 1:2).     There simply is no such thing in the New Testament as following the faith of your choice. It is true, we must make a choice as to whether or not we believe and obey the gospel of Christ, but God only gave one gospel and one faith. We read in Acts 13 that the "one faith" is the result of preaching the Word of God. Yea, when one preaches the truth, he is preaching the "faith of Christ."     We read in Acts 13:5-8, "And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister. And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith." Elymas tried to turn him away from "the faith." That is the one faith of the gospel.     In the book of Galatians it is called "the faith of Jesus Christ" and the "faith of Christ" in chapter 2, verse 16: "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."     At one time Paul persecuted the Lord's church but then he became a disciple and an apostle and preached "the faith" according to Galatians 1:23.     "But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed." It is possible for a child of God to obey the truth and then to depart from "the faith." We read in I Timothy4:1-3, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth." It is possible to err from the faith. "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" (I Timothy 6:10). Let us pray that we will never err from the truth of God's Word.     We should not only preach the faith, but we should also contend for the faith. "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3).     My friends, since there is only one true faith, don't be satisfied with the commandments, traditions, creeds, and doctrines of men. Let us be certain that we teach and defend the "one faith" that is from God and that is revealed in the pages of the New Testament.

- Dan C. Bailey serves as a minister with the State Street Church of Christ in Bristol, VA. He may be contacted through the congregation's website at https://www.thelordsway.com/statestreetchurchofchrist/framedindex.asp?Group=Home

One Baptism

By Dan C. Bailey    The Holy Scriptures teach in Ephesians 4:4-6, "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." The epistle to the saints in Ephesus was most likely composed between 63 and 65 AD. Although there are several baptisms mentioned in the New Testament, there was only one baptism in force at that time. That same "one baptism" is in force today. Please carefully consider the following points:     1. The one baptism is for believers. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:16. If one is an infant, he cannot possible be a subject of baptism. At what exact age one should be baptized is dependent upon a knowledge of what God says about baptism as well as a knowledge of repentance. Those who are scripturally baptized should be mature enough to recognize what sin is and to understand the need of salvation through Christ and His blood. Jesus clearly taught in the parable of the sower that one must understand the word, or the truth, in order to enter into the kingdom of God. "But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty" (Matthew 13:23).     2. The one baptism is a baptism in water. In the eighth chapter of the book of Acts we read about the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch. "Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.  And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing." (Acts 8:35-39). Peter proclaimed at the house of Cornelius, "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days." (Acts 10:47-48). Peter would later refer to baptism in his first epistle by describing those in Noah's day. "Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him." (I Peter 3:20-22). The apostle Paul speaks about the "one baptism" in Ephesians 5:26: "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word."     3. The one baptism is for the remission of sins. Peter was guided by the Spirit of God on the day of Pentecost. He boldly proclaimed: "...Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38). The one baptism was a baptism in water for the remission of sins. We read in Acts 22:16 where Ananias told Saul, "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." The blood of Christ cleanses one of sin when he is scripturally baptized. "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood" (Revelation 1:5).     4. The one baptism is an immersion in water. The Greek word for baptize is "baptidzo." It is defined in Thayer's Greek Lexicon as: 1. properly, to dip repeatedly, to immerge, submerge, (of vessels sunk...)" (p. 94). In the New Testament, baptism is described as a burial. Paul said, "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-4). In Paul's epistle to the saints in Colosse, he again describes baptism as a burial. "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead" (Colossians 2:12).     5. The one baptism puts one into Christ. "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Galatians 3:27-29). When one enters into Christ, he becomes the seed of Abraham and is an heir of salvation.     6. The one baptism puts one into the one body. "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit" (I Corinthians 12:13). The one body is the church that Jesus is the head over. "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all" (Ephesians 1:22-23). Jesus shed His blood for the church. "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood" (Acts 20:28). Jesus built the church. "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). Everyone who is willing to believe the gospel, repent of sins, confess the name of Christ, and be buried with Him in baptism is added by the Lord to the church. "Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47).     Have you been scripturally baptized into Christ?

- Dan C. Bailey serves as a minister with the State Street Church of Christ in Bristol, VA. He may be contacted through the congregation's website at https://www.thelordsway.com/statestreetchurchofchrist/framedindex.asp?Group=Home

One God and Father of All

By Dan Bailey In Ephesians 4:4-6 we have seven ones listed, "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." Just as there is one Lord, and one Spirit, so there is one God, the Father. The Bible is very clear that there is one God or Deity. "Hear O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might" (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). Even though there is one God or Deity, there are three persons in the Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.     The God and Father of all is the one to whom Jesus taught us to pray. "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name"(Matthew 6:9). He is the one who Paul praised in Il Corinthians 1:3: "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort." Jesus was sent by the Father, loved the Father, and obeyed the Father in everything. He said: "...My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself"(John 7:16-17).     In the prayer of Jesus in John 17:1-26, our Lord specifically addressed the Father six times. He refers to God the Father as "Holy Father" and "righteous Father" (John 17:11; 17:25). We can never thank our heavenly Father enough for sending His Son to die for us on the cruel cross of Calvary! "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift" (Il Corinthians 9:15).     Surely, every honest person is able to understand that just as there is one God - the Father, and one God - the Son, and one God - the Holy Spirit, so there is one body, one hope, one faith and one baptism. This does not really describe the disorder in the religious world today. There are so many "churches" or denominations, so many different doctrines, and so many different creeds. Something is wrong, but the Bible is right! "For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth" (Psalm 33:4). "Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way" (Psalm 119:104). "Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way"(Psalm 119:128).   One God And Father Of All There is one God - the Father who dwells up above. Who sent His dear Son, with all of His love — To suffer and die on the old rugged tree, To save poor lost sinners like you and like me The Father of mercies and Father of light, Who answers our prayers each day and each night. All honor and praise to our Father of glory, Who gave us His Son and redemption's sweet story. Dan C Bailey

- Dan C. Bailey serves as a minister with the State Street Church of Christ in Bristol, VA. He may be contacted through the congregation's website at https://www.thelordsway.com/statestreetchurchofchrist/framedindex.asp?Group=Home