One Baptism
A Sermon on Ephesians 4:5
Originally preached July 7, 1957
Scripture
5One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Sermon Description
How important is baptism and what connection does it have to the unity within the church? At a first glance, it might seem odd that Paul would include it as a point of unity. Why is this? In this sermon on Ephesians 4:5 titled “One Baptism,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones argues that a shared view of baptism is a result of unity around Christ. He presents various views of baptism and demonstrates from Scripture why Christians must view baptism as a representation of something, not as an act that accomplishes salvation in and of itself. The danger that many people throughout the centuries have run into is that they take acts like baptism and teach that they are necessary for salvation. However, Scripture clearly teaches that this is not the case. It is a representation and Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that it brings unity, because biblically-correct baptism is into the body of the Lord Jesus Christ. But what does it mean to be “baptized into Christ,” as Paul writes elsewhere? Importantly, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, it signifies and proclaims that Christians no longer identify with the world— instead, they are one with Christ. This is what brings unity to the church, and it does so because all who have been baptized according to Scripture are the Lord’s people.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon focuses on Ephesians 4:5 which states "One Lord, one faith, one baptism".
- The sermon explains that to understand verse 5, we must look at the surrounding verses 3-6. These verses discuss unity in the church.
- Verse 5 gives reasons for unity - there is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God.
- The sermon focuses on "one baptism" and examines different interpretations of this phrase.
- The first interpretation is that "one baptism" refers to baptismal regeneration. The sermon rejects this view.
- The second interpretation is that "one baptism" refers to a particular mode of baptism, specifically adult baptism by immersion. The sermon rejects this view.
- The third interpretation is that "one baptism" refers to the right of baptism. The sermon says there is some truth to this view but it can imply baptism is essential for salvation which it is not.
- The sermon concludes the correct interpretation is that "one baptism" refers to what baptism represents - being placed into Christ and his body.
- Baptism represents being placed into the sphere of Christ's influence and leadership. We are now identified with Christ and separated from the world.
- Baptism represents confessing Christ as Lord and submitting to him.
- Baptism represents dying to sin and the old self and being raised to new life in Christ. Our old nature has been crucified with Christ.
- Because baptism represents being placed into Christ and united with him, it leads to unity in the church. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism.
Sermon Q&A
MLJ Sermon Questions: One Baptism (Ephesians 4:5)
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain is the context of the phrase "one baptism" in Ephesians 4:5?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the phrase "one baptism" is part of a larger statement about Christian unity. The apostle Paul is exhorting believers to "endeavor to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace." He provides several reasons for this unity in verses 4-6, organizing them in three groups related to the Trinity: the Holy Spirit (v4), the Lord Jesus (v5), and God the Father (v6). "One baptism" appears in verse 5 alongside "one Lord" and "one faith," forming the group centered on Christ.
What interpretations of "one baptism" does Dr. Lloyd-Jones reject and why?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones rejects three common interpretations: 1. Baptismal regeneration - the idea that baptism itself regenerates a person 2. A specific mode of baptism (like adult baptism by immersion) 3. Merely referring to the rite itself as essential to salvation
He rejects these because none of them truly supports the unity Paul is emphasizing, and some even cause division. He points out that baptism isn't essential for salvation (citing examples like the thief on the cross), and debates over baptismal modes have historically caused division rather than unity.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe "one baptism" primarily represents?
He believes "one baptism" primarily represents being baptized into one name only - the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. This means believers are placed into Christ's sphere of influence, separated from the world, and incorporated into His body. He cites 1 Corinthians 10:2 where Israelites were "baptized unto Moses" as an illustration, showing how believers are identified with Christ and His cause, just as Israel was identified with Moses' leadership.
How does Romans 6 inform Dr. Lloyd-Jones' understanding of baptism?
From Romans 6, Dr. Lloyd-Jones shows that baptism signifies our union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. When we are baptized into Christ, we are "baptized into his death" (Romans 6:3). This means we have died to sin, been crucified with Christ, and our old Adamic nature has been put to death. We are also raised with Him to walk in newness of life. This spiritual reality is what baptism represents - not merely a ritual but our incorporation into Christ through the Holy Spirit's work.
How does this understanding of "one baptism" promote unity among Christians according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
This understanding promotes unity because: 1. All believers are baptized into one name only - Christ's 2. All believers have died to self and their own will, denying themselves to follow Christ 3. All believers are in Christ, sharing His life and nature 4. All believers have died to the old Adamic nature which causes division through selfishness and sin 5. All believers are incorporated into one body through the Spirit's baptism (1 Cor. 12:13)
As Dr. Lloyd-Jones states: "When we all realize that, and when we all live in the light of that, there can be no division. Christ is not divided. The body is one. It's an organic unity." When Christians truly understand they share Christ's life, with Him as the head and they as members, discord should disappear.
What statement from Paul does Dr. Lloyd-Jones quote that captures the essence of this union with Christ?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones quotes Paul's statement from Galatians 2:20: "I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." He concludes his sermon by saying that if all believers could join in making this statement, "We shall all be one. That old self will have disappeared. And we shall be one in him, the living head."
The Book of Ephesians
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.