One Lord, one faith, one baptism."?

Question

If we have "One Lord, one faith, one baptism." Ephesians 4:5. Then why do have all these religions and if there's one religion (or denomation) out there, then which is it and why?

Answer 1

Paul asked that same question.
1 Corinthians 1:12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
1:13 Is Christ divided * ? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

Answer 2

The answer to that is plainly obvious from history. For 1,000 years after the ascension of Christ there was one Lord, one faith and one baptism, because there was one Church, the Church founded by Jesus Christ for all mankind, the Catholic Church. The doctrinal chaos of denominational religion didn't begin until a few hundred years ago, when proud men rejected Christ's Church, thinking they could do a better job than He did. The result was completely predictable, and now we see it happening.

His own Church however is not affected by this ungodly situation. It continues to preach the fullness of truth, in unity, as it has done for 2,000 years and will continue to do until the end of time. That's why the Bible refers to the one Church founded by Christ as "the pillar and foundation of truth". When you remove the pillars and foundation from a structure, it weakens and eventually collapses. The truth is no exception, which is why the Word of God includes this powerful analogy.
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Answer 3

That's an excellent question!

Christ came to bring unity in one Church, not the disunity and fragmentation we see around us in the thousands of Protestant denominations (and all claiming to read and believe in the same Bible).

The Catholic Church is the only Church that has endured since the death of Christ. Her teachings have not changed because God has not changed and Truth cannot change.

Over the years, practices have developed and teachings have been "defined" but these are things that were always believed and held from the beginning.

It truly is the "one faith" that Scripture talks about.

What other denomination could fit that description?

Protestants? They all came into being during the 17th century Protestant revolution. That's 1700 years AFTER Christ died and St. Paul wrote those words!

Muslims? Muhammad invented this religion in the 7th century. That's 700 years after the death of Christ and St. Paul.

Only the Catholic Church has steadfastly endured. Does she have problems? You bet - she is made up of sinners. In fact, that's why we need a Church - because we ARE sinners.

Answer 4

Truth is truth, and there cannot be more than one true version of truth. Therefore, religion is less about labels and more about finding what the truth is. God gives his power (the priesthood) to man by authority. He has called prophets in every period of this earth, and has called one today, because as we can see by the confusion on this that we are in need of guidance from God through a Prophet. We can receive personal revelation through the Holy Ghost which will guide us individually and will confirm to us that what his prophet says is true. God works through order. The structure of the priesthood and his church follows this order. Although religion is about finding and following truth, not labels, there is one true church, because of this Order which God has established. Because I have searched the scriptures and studied Christ's church, and because I have prayed about and lived the teachings of His prophet, I know that the church which contains the fullness of Christ's gospel is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Other religions do have truth and good in them. Yet, the LDS church has been established to restore the Gospel in its fullness.

Answer 5

Many denominations believe in "one Lord, one faith, one baptism. All this Lord, faith, and baptism is of Jesus Christ.

Answer 6

I can't find it either, the best we can do now is look to scriptures and rely on the Lord. You can go to any church you want i guess but the only thing that matters is that your heart beats for God. Try to stay away from congregations that give you an uneasy feeling. Don't be swayed away from what God puts into your heart.

Answer 7

Islam

"There is no deity worth of worship besides God, and Muhammad was his messenger"

If you believe that you are a Muslim

[003:065] O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Why do you dispute about Abraham, while the Torah and the Gospel were not revealed till after him? Have you then no sense?

[003:066] Verily, you are those who have disputed about that of which you have knowledge. Why do you then dispute concerning that of which you have no knowledge? It is God Who knows, and you know not.

[003:067] Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was a true Muslim Hanîfa (Islâmic Monotheism – to worship none but God Alone) and he was not of the polytheists.

[003:068] Verily, among mankind who have the best claim to Ibrâhîm (Abraham) are those who followed him, and this Prophet (Muhammad [Peace Be Upon Him]) and those who have believed (Muslims). And God is the Walî (Protector and Helper) of the believers.

[003:069] A party of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) wish to lead you astray. But they shall not lead astray anyone except themselves, and they perceive not.

[003:070] "O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Why do you disbelieve in the Ayât of God, [the Verses about Prophet Muhammad [Peace Be Upon Him] present in the Torah and the Gospel while you (yourselves) bear witness (to their truth)."

Peace Be with You and may God guide you to the straight path

Answer 8

My dad drank beer from a big mug.
Mom drank from a glass. I drank straight off the bottle.
Same beer. Different way of drinking. Is that really an Issue?

Answer 9

Because it is a spiritual baptism of the Holy Spirit. Sects of Christianity have it wrong, there is only one Christianity that was stomped out 1600 years ago by Constantine.

Answer 10

The many denominations should not exist.

As you have pointed out, Ephesians 4 says there is “one faith” and "one body". Since the body is the church (Eph 1:22-23), and there is only one body, we can conclude that there is only one church approved of in the Scriptures.

Notice what 1 Corinthians 1:10 says;

"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."

Why do we have so many? Men are not satisfied to all speak the same thing. Men are not satisfied to teach only the word of God. Men are not satisfied to only speak where the Bible speaks, and be silent where the Bible is silent. Men are not content to do Bible things in Bible ways and call Bible things by Bible names. Too many wish to add their own desires and teach their own doctrine.

Notice 2 Timothy 4:2-4.

"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."

The “church of Christ” is neither Catholic, nor Protestant. The church of Christ is not a denomination. The church of Christ identifies itself by name as a church that is trying to follow the “doctrine of Christ” (2 John 9). The “church of Christ” identifies itself by name as a church that belongs to Christ. The name points to the owner and builder. The name points to the one who purchased the church. (Matthew 16:18, Acts 20: 28)

In contrast to this the name of many denominations point to the name of a man, a particular practice, or the way they are organized. A member of a denomination identifies himself by name as one who submits to the authority of that denomination and tries to follow the doctrine (teaching) of that denomination. Why not just follow the doctrine and authority of Christ?

The church of the Bible is compared to a bride, with Christ being the groom. A bride honors the groom when she agrees to wear his name. But many churches today wear man made names.

Suppose, for example, Mr. Smith asks his girlfriend to marry him. She agrees, but says, “Our friend Mr. Jones is a good man, so when we get married, instead of being called Mrs. Smith, I want to be called Mrs. Jones.” Would Mr. Smith have a reason to question her loyalty to him? Would he feel honored? Why would a bride wear another man’s name? Why would a church want to wear a man-made name? The “church of Christ” wears a name found in scripture (Romans 16: 16).


The church of Christ wishes to restore the church to the teaching that was established and authorized by Christ and his apostles. We wish to have Biblical authority for everything we practice and teach. (Col. 3:17)

The Bible teaches that Jesus is the head of the church and the church is his body. (Eph. 1:22-23) The church of Christ recognizes this, and therefore there is no “headquarters” on earth. Each congregation is independent and goes directly to the Bible to learn what should be taught and how we should worship. We believe the Bible is sufficient and we need no other authority or creed books. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:3) Christ has “all authority” and we wish to follow this authority by following the things He taught. (Matt 28:18-20) We don’t want to add any man-made doctrine. (If we follow the authority or teaching of men, then Christ does not have “all authority” in our spiritual lives.) If we teach as doctrine the commandments of men, this makes our worship vain! (Matthew 15:9)

Please do not confuse the church of Christ with the “United Church of Christ”, the “International Church of Christ”, the “Church of Christ Scientists”, or the “Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints (Mormons)”. These groups are not the same and they teach drastically different things!

If you wish to know more about those who simply want to be New Testament Christians (nothing more, nothing less, nothing else), I invite you to investigate the church of Christ by comparison to the Scriptures! I have included a few web sites below that you might wish to visit, or you can e-mail me with any additional questions.