Ephesians 4:5-6
One Lord—Paul discussed the Holy Spirit in verse 4, now he talks about God, the Son. There is one Lord. The word κύριος Kurios, Lord means someone with authority, control, or power over others.
The title “Lord,” as applied to Jesus, became much more than a title of honor or respect. Saying, “Jesus is Lord,” became a way of declaring that Jesus is the Son of God, declaring Jesus’ deity–‘My Lord and my God!’” (John 20:28). From then on, the apostles’ message was that Jesus is Lord, meaning “Jesus is God.” Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost contained that theme: “Let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah” (Acts 2:36). Later, in Cornelius’s house, Peter declared that Jesus is “Lord of all” (Acts 10:36). Romans 10:9 Jesus’ lordship is linked to His resurrection: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” It is the belief in Jesus as the Son of God, Jesus as both Lord and Savior through His death, burial and resurrection that saves us. Belief in Jesus as Lord is necessary, because that demonstrates an understanding of His authority to command us to obey Him. Jesus is declared to be “our only Master and Lord” in Jude 1:4. He is Lord of lords and King of kings (Rev 17:14)
Jesus referred to Himself as “Lord” many times, and in full authority and power chose to serve instead of be served, as an example to us. He had the authority to choose, and this is what He chose. John 13:13 13 You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’; and you are correct, for so I am. 14 So if I, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feetIn 1 Peter 3:15 we are commanded, 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect; It is because we understand the Lordship and Authority of Jesus that we obey. John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. So, we see that it is recognition of Jesus as Lord that causes us to submit to His authority, and obey Him. It is an obedience out of love for who HE is—His wonderful character, compassion, kindness, integrity, truth, grace and all—that makes us want to obey out of love for Him, and what He has done for us. And this results in an abiding relationship with Him. Jesus is also judge of mankind, as a man Himself qualified to understand what it’s like to be human. Acts 10:42 And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. Acts 17:31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead. Submission to the authority of God through Jesus in obedience to Him as Lord, desiring to please Him that allows us to prevail when we are judged as Christians. 2 Cor 5:9-10 9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive compensation for his deeds done through the body, in accordance with what he has done, whether good or bad. It is the doctrine that Jesus is Lord, a reverence and respect for Him that is one of the telling signs between true belief and a false, shallow belief that is really unbelief. It’s the doctrine that Jesus us lord & judge that the world hates. That’s exactly what got the early church in trouble with the Roman Government, and especially with the Caesars, who wanted to claim for themselves god-like authority, power and judgement. In saying, “Jesus is Lord,” we commit ourselves to obey Him. Jesus asked, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46). An acknowledgement of Jesus’ lordship is accompanied by a submission to Jesus’ authority. If Jesus is Lord, then He owns us; He has the right to tell us what to do.
one faith-We have one faith together. This isn’t just talking about The Faith, but the active process in our lives of having faith, and allowing God, through His Holy Spirit to build more and more faith in our lives. Paul has talked about us being established in faith, and then growing our roots down into Jesus by centering our lives on Him, in obedience and humility. Now he is encouraging us to live out our lives of faith together. Col 2:6-7 6 Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. In John 6:38 Jesus reminded us that God’s will is that everyone puts their faith in Jesus for salvation, saying John 6:38 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” In fact, Jesus goes so far to say that the effort, the work of the Christian life is to increase faith in God. John 6:29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”
one baptism-Ther is one baptism. Baptism is the outward demonstration by water immersion symbolic of the old life being left behind, and being raised to new life. It is the one rite and ordinance that outwardly demonstrated our faith as believers in their Lord. There are many countries and areas where belief in Jesus is disliked, but tolerated. But if a person is publicly baptized, their life is suddenly in danger. Baptism is all about identification with Christ, and separation from the world, and all the consequences that this entails. Mark 10:38 38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 They said to Him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized. It’s about living in newness of life, not in the old corrupt sinful nature (see Rom 6:1-7), Gal 3:27 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. We are in Christ, abiding in Him, wrapped in Him now.
4:6.one God and Father of all.-Rom 15:5-6 as well, as Paul prays 5 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one purpose and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. His benediction in 2 Cor 1:3-4 emphasizes God’s provision of mercy and comfort as our Father 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. God is father of all believers John 1:12 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God. And, this makes sense in this context that Paul is not talking to all humans, but rather all believing Christians to preserve the unity of the Church, just as it is preserved in the Trinity.
who is over all and through all and in all-Specifically Paul is talking about God’s sovereignty over believers. God is reigning over all believers, not only to His spiritual authority over us but also in authority in every aspect of our lives. God is “supreme and transcendent.” If we really understand this and completely obey Him, then the result will be this unity and contentment and joy for believers, even in the midst of trials. We will trust God in his wisdom, even when we don’t understand, and we trust that He cares for us, even when He allows circumstances that we wouldn’t wish for. Second, God works through all of us, and accomplishes his purposes through us as believers, His instruments. Eph 2:10 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. As those created to Serve God, we do His will and fulfill the purpose for which we were created to do His good works which God prepared beforehand in order that he or she should walk in them. And, since God provides the power for good works, he is to receive all the glory. God is in all believers, by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, just as Jesus had promised in John 14:16–17 16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever; 17 the Helper is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him; but you know Him because He remains with you and will be in you. And so, we see the Trinity as the model, and enabler of unity in the Church.