ephesians-4:11-14

We shall not get very far into the practical meaning and import of this great unveiling until we have the key in our hand. Once we have that key everything will be explained as to its purpose and value. Strangely enough, that key is in the form of a small prefix which—unfortunately—does not appear i... Read More

“By this shall all men know…” (John 13:35). "That the world may believe…” (John 17:21). Unity as a Priority in Witness Some battles are lost before a blow is struck or a shot fired. Others are only partly won and much enemy territory unoccupied because of sabotage behind the campaign. To change the ... Read More

Reading: Deuteronomy 18:15,18; Acts 3:22; 7:37; Luke 24:19; Revelation 19:10; Ephesians 4: 8, 11-13. "He gave some... prophets... for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11,12). We are going to consider the matter of pr... Read More

GIFTS FOR TODAY It was mentioned earlier that originally there were five gifts-apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. It was suggested that the first two were concerned primarily with the foundation of the Church, and that, in general, the need for them passed when the complete Word... Read More

“For the equipping of the saints for the work of service,” (Eph. 4:12, NASB) A revolutionary insight! The gifts in Ephesians 4 are given to perfect the saints for the work of the ministry. As soon as the saints can carry on, the gift can move on. This means that success in Christian work is working ... Read More

THERE IS ONE BODY According to Ephesians 4:4 there is only one Church. In spite of all the circumstances that seem to deny it, the fact remains that as far as God is concerned, there is only one body of believers on the earth today. Although this Church is never visible to man in its entirety, yet i... Read More

“…ye need not that any man teach you.” (1 John 2:27) At first glance this verse poses problems. If we don’t need anyone to teach us, why did the risen Lord give teachers to build up the saints for the work of ministering (Eph. 4:11, 12)? In order to understand John’s meaning, it helps to know the ba... Read More

Over the past few weeks we have looked at the motives, manner and methods we need to employ if we are going to stand against error. But maybe the question we should have begun with is whether standing against error is, in fact, a legitimate ministry and whether or not there is any sanction in the Bi... Read More

This question is often debated by those who strive after a church running along New Testament lines. The views are divergent and range from what borders on a “one man ministry” to a situation where each member is coerced into participation. Although we can derive some principles from the New Testame... Read More

In the last article we began to examine the Scriptural basis for relying exclusively on the Bible rather than accepting various extra-biblical “revelations” as being at the same level, or higher, authority as the Bible. This is a view that is fast dying out as more and more Christians and their lead... Read More