Let Us Pursue the Unity of the Spirit

The unity of the Holy Spirit is foundational to the life, mission, and identity of the Church. It is a spiritual unity, not based on external appearances, denominations, or traditions, but grounded in truth and held together by seven key bonds, as described in Ephesians 4:3–6.

Before diving into these seven elements, we must understand the multi-faceted nature of the Holy Spirit.

The Seven Spirits of God  The Fullness of the Holy Spirit

The Bible refers to the “seven Spirits of God”, a symbolic description of the full and complete operation of the Holy Spirit. This does not mean that there are seven different Holy Spirits, but rather that the Holy Spirit manifests in sevenfold perfection.

“And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne… stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.”
Revelation 5:6

The seven Spirits are also symbolized as seven burning lamps before the throne of God, denoting His presence and light:

“And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.”
Revelation 4:5

According to Isaiah 11:2, these are expressions of the Spirit that rest upon the Messiah and, by extension, His Church:

“The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him,
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and might,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.”

These expressions reveal the completeness of the Spirit’s ministry in sanctifying and maturing the Church.

The Seven Bonds of Spiritual Unity

(Ephesians 4:3–6)

“Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were 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.”

Let’s now examine these seven bonds of unity with greater theological clarity.

1. One Body  The Church, the Body of Christ

The “one body” refers to the universal Church  the spiritual body of Christ composed of all born-again believers, regardless of race, nationality, or denomination.

“For as the body is one and has many members… so also is Christ.”
1 Corinthians 12:12

“Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”
1 Corinthians 12:27

This body is not governed by traditions or institutions, but by Christ, the Head (Colossians 1:18), through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the operation of spiritual gifts (Ephesians 4:11–13). All believers are uniquely gifted to function within this body.

2. One Spirit  The Holy Spirit of Truth

Unity is possible only through one Spirit  the Holy Spirit, who regenerates us (Titus 3:5), seals us (Ephesians 1:13), and empowers us (Acts 1:8). Though many false spirits exist in the world, only the Holy Spirit produces consistent fruit and truth among believers.

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
1 John 4:1

The fruit of the Spirit love, joy, peace, patience, etc. is the evidence that we are being led by Him:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…”
Galatians 5:22–23

3. One Hope  The Hope of Glory and Resurrection

This “one hope” is the hope of eternal life and glory with Christ, promised to all who believe. It includes the resurrection of the dead, the Second Coming of Christ, and the New Heaven and New Earth.

“Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Titus 2:13

“Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Colossians 1:27

Some deny the resurrection (like the Sadducees, Matthew 22:23), but Scripture affirms that all will be raised either to eternal life or judgment (John 5:28–29). This shared hope unites the Church.

4. One Lord  Jesus Christ, the Son of God

The one Lord is Jesus Christ, not merely as a figure of history, but as the incarnate Son of God, crucified, risen, and exalted at the right hand of the Father. He is the only Head of the Church (Ephesians 5:23).

“No one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.”
1 Corinthians 12:3

Paul warns against those who preach “another Jesus” a distorted or false image of Christ:

“For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached… you may well put up with it!”
2 Corinthians 11:4

True unity comes from a shared allegiance to the real Jesus of Scripture, who calls us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44), carry our cross (Luke 9:23), and walk in obedience.

5. One Faith  The Apostolic Doctrine Rooted in Christ

The “one faith” is the body of truth revealed in the gospel the teaching that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8–9). It includes belief in His deity, death, resurrection, and exclusive role as Mediator.

“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.”
1 Timothy 2:5

“Contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.”
Jude 1:3

We must reject doctrines that introduce multiple mediators (like saints or angels) or other sources of authority outside Scripture.

6. One Baptism  Immersion in the Name of Jesus

The “one baptism” refers to water baptism by immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ  the consistent practice of the early Church.

“Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there.”
John 3:23

“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…’”
Acts 2:38

“So he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.”
Acts 10:48

This baptism symbolizes our death, burial, and resurrection with Christ (Romans 6:4). Unity means following the apostolic pattern of baptism, not individual or denominational preferences.

7. One God and Father  The Creator and Sustainer of All

Lastly, there is one God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth (Genesis 1:1), who is sovereign over all and intimately present in the lives of His children.

“To us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him…”
1 Corinthians 8:6

He is not an idol, statue, human, or spirit of nature, but the living God who alone deserves worship. True unity means worshiping Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24), without blending in idolatry or cultural superstitions.

Final Exhortation: Guarding the Unity of the Spirit

Satan seeks to disrupt this unity by promoting false unity a unity based on humanism, compromise, or social agendas that lack the truth of God’s Word. We must be vigilant, knowing that spiritual unity is the Church’s greatest strength.

“Now I plead with you, brethren… that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
1 Corinthians 1:10

Let us preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, walking in truth, love, and submission to the will of God.

Maranatha.

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