Unity is one of the predominant themes of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. In the second chapter, he wrote of the unity between Jews and Gentiles (Ephesians 2:11-22). Historically, there was hostility between these two groups, but Jesus came and “made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall” (Ephesians 2:14). They were reconciled in “one body” (Ephesians 2:16). Earlier, Paul indicated that this body is the church (Ephesians 1:22-23). Jesus did not establish a church of the Jews and another church of the Gentiles. He built one church (cf. Matthew 16:18). All men who will be faithful to Him “are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:22).
The fourth chapter also addresses the subject of unity. Paul instructed the brethren to be “diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). He wrote of one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father (Ephesians 4:4-6). A few verses later he mentioned different “offices” in the church (Ephesians 4:11) that were in place for “the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12). The goal of this was that we might “attain to the unity of the faith” (Ephesians 4:13).
Ephesians 4:4-6 is held up by some as the platform for Christian unity. Paul said there is only one of each of the seven things listed in those verses. Some argue that as long as we agree on these core principles, we can differ on matters of doctrine. Is this what Paul, through inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is saying?
What is the “one faith” (Ephesians 4:5)? Is it simply faith in Christ? Or does it refer to “the faith which was once delivered” (Jude 3)? If the one faith here is simply faith (or belief) in Christ and if Ephesians 4:4-6 constitutes our basis for unity, then we might be able to say that unity can be maintained despite doctrinal differences (also called “unity in diversity”).
However, if the “one faith” refers to “the faith” of Jude 3, we have a different picture. The faith of Jude 3 is the revealed word of God. God’s word has been revealed in order to produce faith in us (Romans 10:17). If the one faith of Ephesians 4:5 is the faith of Jude 3, the unity in diversity doctrine crumbles. Why? It is because the word of God contains teaching on doctrinal matters. If we are to be united on the one faith, that includes unity on the doctrinal matters contained in the word of God.
The context of Ephesians 4 helps us determine the basis of our unity. Paul spoke of the goal for which we are to strive – “unity of the faith” (Ephesians 4:13). Is this doctrinal unity or unity in diversity? Let us notice the context. The verse referred to the time when “we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” What is the result of this? The next verse answers this: “As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14). We are not to follow after any and every doctrine. If we attain the “unity of the faith,” we will not be “carried about by every wind of doctrine.” The “unity of the faith” of which Paul spoke is not unity in diversity; it is doctrinal unity.
Of course, we must be careful of the doctrine we follow and use as the basis for our unity. Jesus condemned the Pharisees for “teaching as doctrines the precepts of men” (Matthew 15:9). We are not to bind the doctrines of men. But the early church was “continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching (doctrine, KJV)” (Acts 2:42). The apostles’ doctrine was revealed by the Holy Spirit. It was from God. Are we to follow God’s teaching? Absolutely. Therefore, we need to understand that when we speak of doctrinal unity, it has to be the apostles’ doctrine (thus from God), not the teachings of men.
Often those who “earnestly contend for the faith” (Jude 3) are labeled as intolerant, divisive, and mean-spirited. It is alleged that they are the ones not striving for the unity Paul spoke of in Ephesians. Those who promote the “unity in diversity” doctrine claim that they are really the ones working toward the unity Paul wrote about (or so they suppose). How were the Christians in Ephesus to understand this?
Around thirty-five years after Paul wrote his epistle to Ephesus, Jesus sent them a letter by John (Revelation 2:1-7). The book of Revelation was originally sent to seven churches located in Asia (Revelation 1:11). The Lord addressed each congregation individually about certain matters that pertained specifically to them (Revelation 2-3). Most contained both commendations and condemnations. The message to the church in Ephesus contained both. We usually remember that they were condemned for leaving their first love (Revelation 2:4). But there were several things for which this church was commended – their toil and perseverance, intolerance of evil men, testing of false apostles, endurance, and hatred of the deeds of the Nicolaitans (Revelation 2:2-3, 6).
Some might have thought these brethren were intolerant (“you cannot tolerate evil men”), divisive (“put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false”), and mean-spirited (“you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans”). However, Jesus did not condemn them for these things. Rather, He commended them.
Like the Ephesians, we must be “diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). But this does not mean we can compromise the truth, ignore doctrinal differences, and strive for “unity in diversity.” It means we must strive for unity based on the pure, undiluted word of God. Some may call this intolerant, divisive, or mean-spirited. But we are striving to please God, not men (Galatians 1:10). Let us repudiate the false doctrine of “unity in diversity” and work to “attain to the unity of the faith” (Ephesians 4:13).
