---
title: Ephesians 4:5
url: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/ephesians-4-5/
markdown: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/ephesians-4-5.md
type: verse
perspective: Protestant (historic Nicene) response to Jehovah's Witness teaching
reference: Ephesians 4:5
testament: NT
section: Letters
index: https://jw-apologetics.app/llms.txt
---

# Ephesians 4:5

## Text (Berean Standard Bible)

> one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

## JW Usage

JWs cite "one Lord, one faith, one baptism" to argue that only one religious organisation can be correct — and that organisation is the Watchtower. The unity described here is presented as organisational uniformity under the Governing Body's direction rather than spiritual unity in Christ across diverse local congregations.

## Protestant Usage

Paul's "one Lord" is Christ, not an organisation. "One faith" is the content of the gospel — the apostolic deposit once delivered (Jude 3) — not conformity to a governing body's evolving interpretations. "One baptism" is shared by every believer without distinction. The passage calls for "the oneness of the spirit in the uniting bond of peace" (4:3) — a unity grounded in shared identity in Christ, not in organisational compliance. The NWT renders 1 Timothy 3:15 as "a pillar" (indefinite) — the local congregation upholds truth without claiming monopoly. Acts 17:11 establishes the testing standard: Scripture, not institutional authority. True unity does not require uniformity under a single headquarters.

## Arguments Using This Verse

- [One Hope, Not Two](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/one-hope.md) — Ephesians 4:4 -- The Sevenfold Unity [Salvation]
- [The Pillar of Truth — Many Pillars, One Roof](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/pillar-of-truth-1tim315.md) — 1 Timothy 3:15 — The church upholds truth without monopolising it [Authority]
- [Plural Eldership — The Bible's Distributed Leadership Model](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/plural-eldership.md) — Acts 14:23 / Titus 1:5 / 1 Timothy 5:17 — Elders, never one Elder [Authority]