Ephesians 4:11-16 KJV: “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 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 fulness of Christ: 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; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”
Do we hear what God is saying to us in these verses? Continued in the attachment.
How are we to be perfected? “for the perfecting of the saints”. When God speaks do we hear? If I don’t hear how can I then be perfected? As believers we have access to His “Word”; do we just read to get through it or do we read to learn of whom we read? Do I take a portion of scripture, ask for His guidance prayerfully, read the passage, once, twice, however many times until He, by His Spirit speaks; and then by Him speaking, do I hear what is said?
Why do I read? if it isn’t to know Him: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:14. “the Word was made flesh”. Who was made flesh? God took on humanity, not to show us how to live but “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:” Romans 15:8. “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners;“ 1 Timothy 1:15. “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:18-19.Those scriptures I see and understand why Christ came.
What was the purpose of God taking on flesh? God requires blood for sin: “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” Hebrews 9:22. Not only blood, but perfect blood: “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.” 1 Peter 1:17-21.
Why does God require blood for sacrifice? “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” Leviticus 17:11. Why then perfect blood? or as in scripture “without blemish” showing perfection, as seen by Paul and Peter’s hand in: “but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.” 1st Peter 1:17-21. Then Paul: “That he (Jesus, Christ) might sanctify and cleanse it (the church, His body) with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it (the church, His body) should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:26-27. Why holy, without blemish? “because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:16.
Sidebar: “that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word” Ephesians 5:26. Some teach that this pertains to baptism with water. What is the biblical meaning? Strong’s #907 & 911 “to dip. Immerse, submerge for a religious purpose, to overwhelm, to saturate, baptize.” If washing is of baptism in water where is the use of water in: “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:13. Think this through; The Spirit is the one doing the baptizing, correct? if so how does this happen if not spiritually? What is one being baptized into? “into one body” again, is this spiritual or physical? Has to be spiritual. All have been made to drink into one Spirit. The word “made” is used, “made to drink into one Spirit.” Most everywhere else concerning choices the words used are should, might, can etc… But here the word is “made to” the choice was made when one believes the gospel: “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. What happens upon believing? God steps in and by the Holy Spirit: “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body,” with “have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” Immediately “in whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14. Also: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Am made righteous: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
2 Corinthians 5:21. There are many such edifying verses through out Paul’s epistles, all of which when revealed, which further exhort and edify the believer in Christ Jesus.
What is the purpose of washing? “That He might (remember “might” is a choice word) That He might sanctify and cleanse it ( it, being His body the church) with the washing of the word,” Ephesians 5:26. Who is doing the washing? “That he (Jesus Christ) might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:27. Its all His work when we by choice, a conscience decision, after hearing truth make a concentrated decision too believe Him! So the washing here must be a continual cleaning not to save but to prepare us for His Kingdom, the Kingdom of God and not as taught the kingdom of heaven.
Sidebar: “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.” 1 Corinthians 15:24. Here is where it is important to not only read but too read and understand; Jesus Himself saying several times “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Matthew 11:15 and else where; Jesus saying “pay attention!!!. “Then cometh the end”; the end of this world and the entrance of the new heaven and the new earth of Revelation 21. “when he (then, at that time called “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS”) shall have delivered up the kingdom to God”. Ask yourself, what kingdom is the LORD Jesus Christ delivering up to God. Is it not that thousand year kingdom where He reigns as the LORD Jesus Christ, Jesus as King over the whole earth as given throughout scripture? Then in conclusion: “when he (Jesus, the Christ) shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.” We can read of this fact: “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:13-15. This happened at resurrection from God’s perspective, remember God created time and isn’t controlled by it.
“for the edifing of the body of Christ.;” The word here to understand is “edify”; what does it mean. “edify: to instruct especially so as to encourage intellectual, moral, or spiritual improvement.” That word used only of Paul, by Paul under the direction of the Holy Spirit; used eleven times, and used only in Paul’s epistles. Else where in other translations the word “encourage” has been used. What is the definition of “encourage”? “to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope” I find that encourage is somewhat less descriptive, as compared to both edify and exhort; although both words were available to the translators of the King James 1611 Version?
To summarize then; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” Ephesians 4:12. Perfecting, is the responsibility of the Holy Spirit through His chosen representatives, evangelists, pastors and teachers. To give them the knowledge needed to perform “the work of the ministry” by the Holy Spirit by His Word. “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.” John 16:12-16. The second part of Ephesians 4:12: “for the edifying of the body of Christ:” So that we are embolden because we: “for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12b. To know that we know that we know. Then believing, to go forth with zeal and knowledge, being a good and faithful servant; an ambassador of Jesus Christ.
Thank You LORD Jesus for loving me and giving me Your life. I know that you are ever present in me to guide, speak and direct. Being patient with me but ever wanting me to see and believe all that You are in me to do Your work through me here, now. Not afraid of what others may say or do for i understand that I am crucified with you, yet I live by Your faithfulness. What a hope I have in You to do and to say as You direct me daily in Your love for me. Thank You; In Jesus’s name, in Your name Amen. . . . . .
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