Ephesians 4: 11 - 13 > Training the Saints
| For the perfecting of the saints |
| Ephesians 4: 11 to 13 ( King James Version ) |
| |
| And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; |
| |
| Verse 12: For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: |
| |
| Verse 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 fulness of Christ: |
| |
| |
| Ephesians 4: 11 to 13 ( New International Version ) |
| |
| It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers. |
| |
| verse 12 > To prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up |
| |
| verse 13 > until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. |
| |
| |
| Text Quoted in Spirit of Prophecy |
| The fourth chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians contains lessons given us by God. In this chapter one speaks under the inspiration of God, one to whom in holy vision God had given instruction. He describes the distribution of God's gifts to His workers, saying: "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 fullness of Christ." Ephesians 4:11-13. Here we are shown that God gives to every man his work, and in doing this work man is fulfilling his part in God's great plan. [6T 243.1] |
|
[Ephesians 4:11-14 quoted.] All these gifts are to be blended in the work of building upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Jesus Christ Himself is the chief cornerstone, "in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord" (Ephesians 2:21). "Fitly framed together." Study these words, and seek to understand all that they comprehend. "Fitly framed together," each acting his respective part unitedly. Thus we grow "unto an holy temple in the Lord." Have a care how you build.-- Ms. 108, 1899, pp. 1, 2. ("He That Loveth Not His Brother Abideth in Death," August 2, 1899.) {11MR 274.2}
|
| The Author of this spiritual life is unseen, and the exact method by which that life is imparted and sustained, it is beyond the power of human philosophy to explain. Yet the operations of the Spirit are always in harmony with the written word. As in the natural, so in the spiritual world. The natural life is preserved moment by moment by divine power; yet it is not sustained by a direct miracle, but through the use of blessings placed within our reach. So the spiritual life is sustained by the use of those means that Providence has supplied. If the follower of Christ would grow up "unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13), he must eat of the bread of life and drink of the water of salvation. He must watch and pray and work, in all things giving heed to the instructions of God in His word. {AA 284.2} |
| Every branch of the work of God is to have recognition. "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." Ephesians 4: 11, 12. This scripture shows that there are to be different workers, different instrumentalities. Each has a different work. No one is required to lay hold of another's work, and, though untrained, try to do it. God has given to each according to his ability. One man may think that his position gives him authority to dictate to other workers, but this is not so. Ignorant of their work, he would enlarge where he should retrench, and retrench where he should enlarge, because he can see only the part of the vineyard where he is working.-- Testimonies, Vol. 8, pp. 170, 171. {ChL 38.2} |
| |