Ephesians 4:1-14
1) Following Faithfully Demonstrates Daily the Glory of God to a Watching World.
2-3) Bonded Believers.
4-6) First Century Confession of Faith.
7-10) God Gives Gifts, Grace and Faith to Followers (see also Ro. 12:3).
11) Four Foundational Gifts.
12) A Fully Functional Fellowship.
13) Presently Being Perfected in Our Beliefs.
14) Saints Should Subscribe to Same Doctrines.
(1) I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
DLG note... Walking is faith in Constant, Continuous, Consistent action.
(2) With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
(3) Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
DLG note... Attaining, Obtaining and Retaining Biblical Body Life requires our Cooperation and Commitment.
(4) There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
(5) One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
(6) One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
DLG note... This short Statement of Faith was recognized as Confession of Faith by early Church.
(7) But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
DLG note... God gifts us for service to others, according to our Grace and Place in the Body (see Ro. 12:3).
(8) Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
(9) (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
(10) He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
(11) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
DLG note... These Four Gifts are basic to Church Planting.
An Apostle (in N.T.) had seen Jesus in the flesh. Apostles often had other major gifts.
A Prophet (in N.T.) was Divinely inspired, as seen in the writers of Holy Scripture.
(1) I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
DLG note... Walking is faith in Constant, Continuous, Consistent action.
(2) With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
(3) Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
DLG note... Attaining, Obtaining and Retaining Biblical Body Life requires our Cooperation and Commitment.
(4) There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
(5) One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
(6) One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
DLG note... This short Statement of Faith was recognized as Confession of Faith by early Church.
(7) But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
DLG note... God gifts us for service to others, according to our Grace and Place in the Body (see Ro. 12:3).
(8) Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
(9) (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
(10) He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
(11) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
DLG note... These Four Gifts are basic to Church Planting.
An Apostle (in N.T.) had seen Jesus in the flesh. Apostles often had other major gifts.
A Prophet (in N.T.) was Divinely inspired, as seen in the writers of Holy Scripture.
I mentioned 2 Peter 3:14-17, where Peter said that Paul was a writer of Scripture, along with Old Testament writers. Upper case emphasis added
2 Peter 3:14-17
(14) Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.. (15) And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; EVEN AS OUR BELOVED BROTHER PAUL ALSO ACCORDING TO THE WISDOM GIVEN UNTO HIM HATH WRITTEN UNTO YOU; (16) AS ALSO IN ALL HIS EPISTLES, SPEAKING IN THEM OF THESE THINGS; in which are some things hard to be understood, WHICH THEY THAT ARE UNLEARNED AND UNSTABLE WREST, AS THEY DO ALSO THE OTHER SCRIPTURES, UNTO THEIR OWN DESTRUCTION. (17) Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.
An Evangelist was gifted in bringing the lost to faith in Christ. Some are gifted as Evangelists, all are called to Evangelize, he that is wise wins souls.
A Pastor/Teacher is the local shepherd of a local body of believers. His job is to Lead and Feed the flock of God and to Protect the Elect from the wolves (Ac. 20:28-30). Acts 20:28-30... (28) Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (29) For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. (30) Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
DLG note... Notice this is a combination gift, Pastor/Teacher. This is God's plan.
(back to Ephesians 4)
(12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
DLG note... God Planned and Provided for Perfect Unity in the Church. Division and Confusion in His Body are Corruptions from Satan.
(13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
DLG note... There is a Set Standard of Belief and Behavior until our Heavenly Homecoming, when eternal perfection is attained.
(14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
