Mathematically, one is a cardinal whole number. In computer programming, one combined with zeroes become a binary code. Relationally, the 1970′s band Three Dog Night wants you to believe that one is the loneliest number. It can also be a very selfish number of we are only looking out for “numero uno.”
Biblically, the number “one” is pregnant with meaning. The Scripture teaches that God is one. One captures the heart of Jesus’ prayer for the church (John 17). The apostle Paul urges believers to guard the unity of the church in Ephesians 4:3. The Spirit’s emphasis on “oneness” inspires Paul to rehearse all the other “ones” that should matter to us: there is only one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.
I’ve missed doing this the last few weeks, but we have continued unpacking the concept of “One” laid out in Ephesians 4:4-6. This week we looked at the fact that baptism is more than a religious ritual. The water baptism of a Christian is intended to communicate a strong message both to the one being baptized and to those watching the baptism.
