Q & A of the Catholic Faith: “ONE GOD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM” — What Letter to the Ephesians 4:4-5 Really Means

Introduction

An article from the Catholic perspective — Biblical, Patristic, Historical, and Doctrinal

In his letter to the Ephesians, St. Paul writes:

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Eph 4:4-6) USCCB+2Catholic Answers+2

At first glance the phrase “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Eph 4:5) appears simple, yet in practice there are thousands of Christian communities each administering their own baptisms, claiming various authorities, and practising their own version of “faith.” From the standpoint of the Catholic Church (hereafter “the Catholic Church”), this raises several questions:

What did Paul mean by “one faith, one baptism”?
On what basis does the Catholic Church claim authority to administer Baptism and to define the one faith?
How does the history of the Church, and the teaching of the early Fathers, support the claim of one visible Church with one Baptism?
Why, then, do we have so many baptisms and churches? What does this say about authenticity and continuity?

In this article, we will explore these questions by drawing on Scripture, the Catholic Catechism, the Apostolic and Church Fathers, and the history of the Church.

1. What “one faith, one baptism” means according to Scripture and the Catholic Church

1.1 Biblical meaning

Paul’s appeal in Ephesians 4:4-6 is to unity in Christ. He lists a series of “ones”: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God. USCCB+1

“One body and one Spirit … one Lord … one faith … one baptism … one God and Father of all.” (Eph 4:4-6) Catholic Answers+1
Thus the verse expresses that believers are united in Christ by sharing the same faith, the same Lord, the same baptism, and the same Spirit. Precept Austin+1
Bible commentators note that “one baptism” means that under the Gospel there is but one baptism (in contrast to the varied rites of the Law) — implying that all Christians share the same initiation into Christ. Bible Hub+1

For example, BibleHub’s commentary:

“There were divers baptisms under the law, but there is but one baptism under the Gospel … by which believers in Christ are admitted into the fellowship of His Church.” Bible Hub

1.2 Catholic Church’s teaching

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) we find:

“Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit… Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission.” (CCC 1213) Vatican
“Christian initiation is accomplished by three sacraments together: Baptism which is the beginning of new life; Confirmation which is its strengthening; and the Eucharist which nourishes the disciple…” (CCC 1275) Catholic Culture+1
Regarding the Church’s four marks: “I believe in … one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins” (Nicene Creed) — the Catholic Church teaches that this one baptism is the sacrament instituted by Christ, which cannot be repeated. Vatican+1
On the Church’s unity: “The Church is one because of her source…the Word made flesh… restoring the unity of all in one people and one body” (CCC 811-813) Vatican

And specifically about why only one Baptism:

“There is one baptism because there is only one person, our Lord Jesus Christ, who was capable of atoning for the sins of mankind… Baptism applies the merits of Christ’s one Sacrifice of Calvary…” Catholic Answers

1.3 Summary of meaning

Putting the biblical and Catholic teaching together:

The phrase “one baptism” refers to the single sacramental initiation into Christ and his Church by which believers are incorporated into the Body of Christ.
“One faith” refers to the apostolic faith, the deposit of faith handed down from Christ through the apostles, which all Christians are called to hold.
“One Lord” refers to the unique Lord, Jesus Christ, as the head of the Church (cf. Acts 2:36; 1 Cor 12:12).
Thus, Christ willed that there be a visible communion of believers sharing the same faith, the same baptism, the same Lord — which implies more than mere spiritual unity: it implies structural and sacramental unity.
When Christians depart from that unity — in doctrine, baptism, or structure — they break with the “one body” that Paul speaks of (cf. Eph 4:4). Catholic365+1

2. Where the authority to baptize and to maintain “one faith” comes from

2.1 Christ’s commissioning

The Catholic Church observes that Christian Baptism is not a self-initiated rite by men but was instituted by Christ. The Lord said:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Mt 28:19-20) Catholic Culture

And:

“And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Mt 28:20)

Thus, the Church holds that the authority to baptize comes from Christ, entrusted to the apostles and their successors.

2.2 Apostolic Succession and the Church’s structure

The doctrine of Apostolic Succession is addressed in Catholic teaching: bishops succeed the apostles for the purpose of preserving authentically the faith and apostolic ministry. Catholic Answers
The Catechism states: “The Church is one … because of her source … the Word made flesh … restoring the unity of all in one people and one body.” (CCC 813) Vatican
Also: “Every member of the faithful, through faith and Baptism, is inserted into the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.” Vatican

According to Catholic theology:

The same Christ founded only one Church (not many). The Church is visible and structured, with the bishops (in communion with the successor of Peter) as the authoritative ministers.
This visible Church is the bearer of the one faith and the one Baptism.
Hence, when the Catholic Church baptizes, it does so in virtue of Christ’s commission, the apostolic tradition, and the sacramental economy instituted by Christ.

2.3 Why the Catholic claim sees legitimacy

Because Baptism’s efficacy depends on Christ’s sacrifice and the action of the Holy Spirit (not merely the human minister). Catholic Answers+1
Because there is a visible and identifiable continuity from the apostles (via bishops) to the present day, safeguarding doctrine and sacramental practice. Catholic Answers
Because the Church claims to preserve the apostolic faith — “one faith” — and the sacraments instituted by Christ, such as Baptism.

3. Historical development and early Church evidence

3.1 Early Fathers on one baptism

Tertullian (c. 155-240) wrote:

“There is to us one, and but one, baptism; … ‘one God, and one baptism, and one Church in the heavens.’” New Advent
He uses the Scripture (Eph 4:5) to insist on one baptism, one Church.
The early Church understood that legitimate baptism inserted one into the one Church of Christ — not into a sect of men.

3.2 The Church as ONE from the beginning

The letter to the Ephesians already in the 1st century uses the language of “one body” and “one Spirit.” USCCB
The Nicene Creed (381 AD) confesses: “I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.” USCCB+1
Church history shows that the early Christian communities regarded themselves as part of the universal church, not isolated sects. For example, the letter of Ignatius to the Ephesians (c. 110 AD) speaks of “the Catholic Church throughout the world.” Catholic Answers

3.3 Why many baptisms and many churches developed

While Christ founded one Church, human history saw schisms, heresies, and multiplicity of Christian communities.
Where a Christian community departs from the apostolic faith or breaks communion with the successors of the apostles (bishops in union with the See of Peter in the Catholic teaching), then the unity is compromised.
Moreover, in many Protestant traditions, groups intentionally or unintentionally claim the right to baptize, found churches, define doctrine independently of the apostolic succession. From the Catholic perspective, those actions are signs of division and not of the unity that Paul advocated (Eph 4:3-6). Catholic365+1

Thus the many baptisms reflect, in part, the fact that there are many Christian communities outside full communion with the one Catholic Church.

4. Why the Catholic Church says many baptisms do not equal many valid baptisms

4.1 Validity of Baptism

The Catholic Church distinguishes valid baptisms (those performed with the correct matter, form, intention, and in the name of the Trinity) from licit or communal communion.

The Catholic Church recognizes baptisms in other Christian communities if they are done properly (i.e., in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and with water) and provided there is correct intention.
But it also holds that the only Church founded by Christ subsists in the Catholic Church (cf. Lumen Gentium 8). Wikipedia+1

4.2 One baptism once

Because the one baptism is a sacrament of Christian initiation, it cannot be repeated. The Catholic Church teaches:

“There is one baptism because there is only one person, our Lord Jesus Christ … Baptism applies the merits of Christ’s one Sacrifice…” Catholic Answers

Consequently, someone baptized in valid form in a non-Catholic Christian community is not to be rebaptized upon entering the Catholic Church — rather, what may be needed is a profession of faith and sometimes conditional baptism if doubt exists about validity.

4.3 Why self-founded sects are doctrinally problematic

From the Catholic viewpoint:

If a group claims the power to baptize and define faith but does not have apostolic succession or is not in communion with the genuine successors of the apostles, then it lacks the full authority Christ gave to his Church.
Therefore the proliferation of independent baptisms and churches undermines the unity that Paul says exists (Eph 4:4-6) and weakens the claim to one faith, one baptism, one Lord.

5. A timeline: Key milestones in the understanding of one baptism and one Church

Century	Milestone	Relevance
1st c.	Apostles baptize converts (Acts 2:41; 8:12; 10:37-48)	Establishment of baptism as entry into Christ’s body. YouTube
c. 110	Ignatius of Antioch writes of “the Catholic Church throughout the world”. Catholic Answers	Early witness to a universal Church, not local sects.
c. 200	Tertullian writes “one and but one baptism… one Church” based on Eph 4:5. New Advent	Early patristic appeal to the Scripture and sacramental unity.
325	First Council of Nicaea affirms one Church; later codifies Nicene Creed.	Ecclesial understanding of the one Church and one baptism became official.
381	Council of Constantinople includes “one Baptism” in the Creed. USCCB	Reaffirmation of unity of baptism and Church.
1964	Second Vatican Council (Lumen Gentium) states: “The Church founded by Christ subsists in the Catholic Church.” Wikipedia+1	Modern statement of continuity and unity.

6. Addressing the user’s question: Why thousands of men perform their own baptisms and their own churches?

From the Catholic perspective, the existence of many baptisms and sects raises these issues:

Authority & continuity: If a group lacks apostolic succession, full communion with the successors of the apostles, or departs from the apostolic faith, then the unity Paul describes (“one faith, one baptism”) is compromised.
Unity vs division: Paul’s warning in Eph 4:3-6 is that Christians should “eagerly maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” USCCB+1 Thousands of independent baptisms and churches reflect divisions rather than the unity Christ intended.
Subsisting Church: The Catholic Church holds that one true Church founded by Christ exists and that other communities are either imperfectly joined to it or separated. From this viewpoint, only the Catholic Church has the fullness of the one baptism and one faith in visible structure.

Thus, when men establish their own baptisms and sects without the proper authority (in the Catholic view), they are operating outside the apostolic unity that Paul and the Fathers presupposed when speaking of one baptism.

7. Practical implications and concluding reflections

7.1 For Catholics

When you recite the Creed (“I acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins…”), you are affirming your membership in the one Church of Christ, your participation in the one sacrament of Baptism, and your sharing in the one faith.
Baptism is not merely a symbolic rite you can do independently: it is the sacrament of initiation into Christ and his Church.

7.2 For other Christians and ecumenical conversation

The Catholic Church urges Christians divided from her to seek reunion — in so far as possible — since the truth of “one faith, one baptism” demands visible unity. (cf. Joint Catholic-Lutheran, Catholic-Orthodox dialogues) Christian Unity
Recognising other valid baptisms is a first step; full communion in faith, sacraments and authority is the goal.
Independent baptisms raise the question: “Is this baptism truly into the one Lord, one faith, one Church Christ founded?”

7.3 Final reflection

Paul’s call in Ephesians 4 is not a mere ideal; it is a real claim about the Church founded by Christ: that there is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. The Catholic Church contends that Christ willed a visible, structured, unified Church which administers the one baptism and upholds the one apostolic faith. When many men found their own baptisms and sects, the question is: on what basis? On what authority? And do they reflect the unity that Christ willed and Paul proclaimed?

Key Quote-Box

“There is to us one, and but one, baptism; … ‘one God, and one baptism, and one Church in the heavens.’” — Tertullian New Advent

Comparison Table

Term in Eph 4:5	Catholic Understanding	Implication if ignored
One Lord	Jesus Christ — unique head of the Church	Multiple lords/leaders claim headship
One Faith	The apostolic faith, the deposit of faith	Doctrinal fluidity, many faiths
One Baptism	The single sacramental initiation into Christ’s body	Multiple baptisms → divided Churches

Conclusion

In sum, when Paul writes “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” he is emphasising the unity of the Christian community grounded in Christ, the Spirit, and the Church. From the Catholic viewpoint, there is only one Church that legitimately administers the one baptism and preserves the one faith — as instituted by Christ, safeguarded by the apostles via apostolic succession, and preserved through the Church’s visible structure. The proliferation of baptisms and sects thus invites a sober question: are they truly part of that unity, or are they an indication of division? The Catholic Church calls Christians everywhere to examine whether their baptism, their faith, their church claim that unity which Christ willed and Paul proclaimed.

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Wednesday, November 5, 2025

“ONE GOD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM” — What Letter to the Ephesians 4:4-5 Really Means