Proper 12 (CL)

Ephesians 4:1-16

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, ² with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, ³ eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. ⁷ But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ⁸ Therefore it says,

“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,

and he gave gifts to men.”

⁹ (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? ¹⁰ He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) ¹¹ And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, ¹² to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, ¹³ until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, ¹⁴ so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. ¹⁵ Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, ¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

There is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. There is no God apart from the Triune God. There is no faith other than faith in Christ. There is only one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. God has therefore, given people this knowledge to teach and equip others in this faith and knowledge.

There are many people in the world who think that there are many paths to Heaven. There are many people that do not believe that doctrines mean anything. Do you think that there are other ways to get to heaven? Do you think there are other gods? Do you think that disagreements on faith and doctrine do not matter?

This is why we all need to be taught. We need to become mature and no longer children. Children are easily tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. But those who are grounded in the word of God have a solid foundation. A wise man builds his house upon the rock. Built on the one true faith in Jesus Christ, the one baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and the one true and only God, we can stand firm.

We will not be swayed from pointing out that it is Christ Jesus our Lord who saves us. It is Christ Jesus who has given you the baptism for your forgiveness. The Holy Spirit keeps and guards you in the one true faith.