NON-DENOMINATIONAL
CHRISTIANITY (01)
Ephesians
4:4 - One Body
"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."
INTRODUCTION:
1. Paul
declared we are to "endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond
of peace" (Ephesians 4:3).
2. In
Ephesians 4:4-6, Paul sets forth the platform for this unity, beginning with
his declaration that there is one body.
DISCUSSION:
I. Nature of
the body (church).
A.
Christ is the head who gives direction to the body.
1.
Ephesians 1:21-23 – "Far above all principality, and power, and
might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world,
but also in that which is to come: 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 filleth all in all."
2.
Colossians 1:18 – "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."
B. Each
individual Christian is an individual member of this body. Together, the
members make up the body of Christ.
1.
Romans 12:5 – "So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every
one members one of another."
2. I
Corinthians 12:20 – "But now are they many members, yet but one
body."
C. Each
member has a work to do. Each member’s work is important if the body is to
function as a unit.
1. I
Corinthians 12:26 – "And whether one member suffer, all the members
suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with
it."
2.
Romans 12:15 – "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with
them that weep."
II.
Singularity of the body (church).
A.
Christ promised to build only one church.
1.
Matthew 16:18 – "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."
B. The
scriptures condemn division within the body.
1. I
Corinthians 1:10-13 – "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be
no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the
same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of
you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are
contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am
of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ
divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of
Paul?"
2. I
Corinthians 12:25 – "That there should be no schism in the body;
but that the members should have the same care one for another."
C. The
word "church," as used in the New Testament, is used to refer to
all the saved everywhere. It is also used in reference to the saved in a
particular geographic area who meet as one assembly to worship and serve.
1.
Matthew 16:18 – "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."
2. I
Corinthians 1:2 – "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to
them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all
that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both
their's and our's:"
III.
Necessity of the body (church.)
A. It is
not possible to "preach Christ" without preaching about Christ’s
church.
1.
Acts 8:5 – "Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and
preached Christ unto them."
2.
Acts 8:12 – "But when they believed Philip preaching the things
concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were
baptized, both men and women."
B.
Christ and his church are inseparable. For Christ to exist without his
church would require that a king exist with no kingdom. For Christ to exist
without his church would require that a bridegroom exist without a bride.
1.
Matthew 16:18-19 – "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. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of
heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven:
and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
2. II
Corinthians 11:1-2 – "Would to God ye could bear with me a little
in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly
jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you
as a chaste virgin to Christ."
C. It is
not possible for a person to be saved from his sin apart from Christ’s
church. For a person to be saved apart from Christ’s church a person would
have to be saved while still in the power of darkness. For a person to be
saved apart from Christ’s church a person would have to be saved without
being justified.
1.
Colossians 1:12-14 – "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath
made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us
into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his
blood, even the forgiveness of sins:"
2.
Romans 8:30 – "Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also
called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified,
them he also glorified."
3.
Colossians 3:15 – "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to
the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful."
CONCLUSION:
1.
Consider:
a) The
nature of the one body, composed of individual members with Christ as their
head.
b) The
singularity of the body, where division is condemned.
c) The
necessity of the body, without which no man can be saved.
2.
Consider what one must do to be a member of the body of the saved.
a) Hear.
i)
Romans 10:17 – "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the
word of God."
b)
Believe.
i)
Hebrews 11:6 – "But without faith it is impossible to please him:
for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a
rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
c)
Repent.
i)
Acts 17:30 – "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but
now commandeth all men every where to repent:"
d)
Confess.
i)
Romans 10:8-10 – "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in
thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt
believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt
be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with
the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
e) Be
baptized.
i) I
Corinthians 12:13 – "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."
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