The book of Ephesians is the first of the prison
epistles that Paul wrote and is considered by many scholars to be the most
majestic of all the epistles. Ephesians is fundamental to the "doctrine of ecclesiology", or the study of the church.
11And he gave some to
be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and
teachers; 12for the perfecting
of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body
of Christ: 13till we all attain
unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a
full grown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14that we may be no
longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of
doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; 15but speaking truth
in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ; 16from whom all the
body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth,
according to the working in due measure of each several part, maketh the
increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love (Eph. 4:11-13).
So many themes come to
light in this chapter, and they flow so eloquently under the guidance of the
Holy Spirit, as Paul chained to a Roman guard, is faithful in recording them. Let's selectively look at a few of many highlights.
Purpose of the Church
In chapter 4, he describes some of the spiritual gifts that
God gives the church. Here in verse 12
to 16, Paul also reveals the purposes
God has for the church. It's for the "perfecting of the saints,
unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ, till
we all attain unto the unity of the faith". The primary purpose of your local church is
not necessarily to evangelize the world, it's to assist people and equip them
for the work of ministry, enabling them towards maturity.
In Acts chapter 6, we see the early church delegate their various
duties in such a way that those best equipped [full of the Spirit and wisdom],
were given the responsibility to "give attention to prayer and the ministry
of the word", while others took care of other necessary aspects of the church. Again, we see that
...the primary purpose of the church is
to equip the saints.
Christianity 101
....Forgive!
In our last study, we
highlighted how significant good relationships are in the life of the child of
God. Again the Holy Spirit here is
consistent in reinforcing how relationally we need to be, "...speaking the truth in love". When I'm angered, I initially,
often want to speak the truth directly and harshly, really only displaying my selfishness and arrogance
as I seek to put the other person in their place. I can't be like that....I need to consider
the needs of others around me and when necessary, confront in a loving way that
builds each other up, and doesn't tear down relationships. We need to be renewed in our attitude
(v23). The "old man" needs to be "put
off" and the "new man" put on, which was created according to
God, in true righteousness and holiness.
(Do these words move you, like they move me? ...these are radical and powerful
instructions from the Holy Spirit that I need to employ in my life....starting
now!)
As we read the last
paragraph in this chapter, the instructions on relationship and reconcilliation to us become
even clearer! If we continue in wrong
relation with people, we "grieve" the Holy Spirt. .....verse 32. states what should be obvious
to us, yet we so easily overlook...
Men, we are to be kind and forgiving towards
someone who has wronged us. Put quite
simply ...Forgiveness is Christianity 101!
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