One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Similarly "faith" and "baptism" (the sacramental seal of faith) are connected (Mark 16:16; Colossians 2:12). "Faith" is not here that which we believe, but the act of believing, the one mean by which all believers in common apprehend the "one Lord." "Baptism" is the one and only visible sacrament whereby we are once for all united to "one Lord" (Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27), and incorporated into the "one body." Not the Lord's supper, which implies the matured communion of those already incorporate. Baptism, by its single celebration and individual reference, symbolizes unity; the Lord's supper union (Ellicott). In 1 Corinthians 10:17, where a breach of union was in question, the latter forms the rallying-point (Alford). There is not added, 'One Pope, one council, one form of government.' The Church is one in unity of faith (Ephesians 4:5; Jude 1:3), of origination (Ephesians 2:19-21), of sacraments (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:5), of "hope" (Titus 1:2; 5:4), of charity (Ephesians 4:3); unity (not uniformity) of discipline and government: for where there is no order-no ministry with Christ as the Head-there is no Church (Pearson).