Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Ephesians 2:20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 2:20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the [chief] Cornerstone, |
Subject: The foundation of the church |
Bible Note: I see where the apostles(eg. Paul) and prophets (Judas and Silas)were sent to correct inaccurate teachings in the church at Antioch in order to ensure that the foundation of the church planted there remained stable. It tells me that it is not enough to start the church of Jesus Christ with these two anointings as foundation it tells me that it takes the two to continue to maintain the foundation of the church. Which leads me to my next concern - When we look at church today do we see these two "governmental offices" in the church working together to ensure a stable foundation of doctrine upon which the teachers, pastors and evangelists are to build upon. There are many erroneous teachings out there that give Jesus Christ a bad name and it will most definitely take apostolic and prophetic activity to set things on the proper foundation. Eph. 4:11-16 Talks about the five-fold ministry being given "...to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith......". If we are honest with ourselves this "unity of the faith" does not currently exist we must ask ourselves "Why?". Given the scripture Eph. 4:11-16 we should realise that the answer lies in the all the governmental offices (apostles, prophets, teachers, pastors, evangelists) working together and focusing on the global church achieving this goal - and not only working together but also IN THE ORDER THEY ARE TO WORK TOGETHER. 1Cor. 12:28 says, "And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles......". It tells me that unless the church understands the dynamics of how each office should operate individually and corporately as well as in the order God has set them we will never see unity, and persons will continue to be "..tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming". In conclusion, if the unity of the faith is as a result of the five-fold ministry operating together as one and in the order God sets it, and we can honestly say that there is no "unity of faith" of the global church then it implies that we as the church (the body of Christ) have to enquire of the Lord to know his will for attaining this position called "the unity of the faith". I ask again, Is the church we see today (being continually) built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets [ensuring accurate doctrine and teachings and interpretation of the word of God - focusing on God's original intent for the church that, "His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord"(Eph. 3:10-11)]. |