Church as New Creation
In Ephesians 4, Paul describes the sevenfold unity of the church. The numerical connection with Genesis 1-2 already indicates that the church is the new creation, formed by the word of God and the “seven Spirits” into a united cosmos. But the seven unities might also link in detail to the days of creation. Maybe; here’s a stab:
1. One body: Church as light in darkness. 2. One Spirit: Spirit as the boundary/firmament? 3. One hope: Earth emerging from waters? Plants springing from earth? 4. One Lord: The Sun of Righteousness, ruler of the Day. 5. One faith: Birds and fish? 6. One baptism: Which makes new men, in the Last Adam; the nuptial bath of the bride, the new Eve. 7. One God and Father: Who brings all to completion, rest; who presides over the Sabbath; who will be all in all.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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