Covenant Reformed News – August 2009 • Volume XII, Issue 16
This article from Covenant Reformed News examines Ephesians 4:4-6 to expound the doctrine of the church as one body animated by one Spirit, emphasizing the sevenfold repetition of "one" in the text. The author argues that the invisible, organic nature of the church—comprising all elect of all ages and nations—is the organizing principle of Paul's teaching on Christian unity. The exposition demonstrates how the visible, divided instituted churches are distinguished from the true, invisible body of Christ that transcends denominational boundaries.
One Body Animated by One Spirit (1) Ephesians 4:4-6 declares, “[4] There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; [5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism, [6] one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” The outstanding feature of this text is its repetition of the word “one.” Seven times that numeral is used: thrice in verse 4, thrice in verse 5 and once in verse 6. Not once does this text use dualities or pluralities. It...