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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: What divides us is inaccurate doctrine. The government and rule of the kingdom of God is expressed in the earth through his governmental organizational structure found in the joint operations of the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Ephesians4:11-14 states that Christ gave these gifts to the church and their responsibility is to equip God's people to do His work and build up the church, the body of Christ, until we come to such UNITY in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ. The unity of the faith and knowledge of God's Son implies doctrine - the truth of the laws of the kingdom. Until we all agree on what God considers an accurate interpretation of His word we will continue to be divided and confused as to what is right and what isn't. God is not the author of confusion He is a God of order, which is why in 1 Corinthians 12:28 He appointed 1st apostles, 2nd prophets, 3rd teachers and so on... The order of God puts apostles first and prophets second this does not in any way mean first or second in importance, but is a matter of rank and order in FUNCTION AND HENCE SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY. In the book of Acts we see all five ministry offices functioning, however it is the apostles such as Paul and Peter (and others) who were at the forefront of building accurate doctrine in the early church. Today, we see no such order in the church, in fact most believers seem to believe that the apostles ceased to exist since the beginning of the early church. It is because we fail to understand that 'apostle' is an office - no different (in principle) than the office of the President of the United States. If somehow President Bush was no longer able to function as president the office/hence the function of the president would still be needed - it is not wrapped up in President Bush or any person who would then take his place. So it is with the office of the apostle, as well as the office of the other gifts to the church. That which is to become the perfect global church will have to accept this and each person called to any of these kingdom offices must understand his/her function in the kingdom as it relates to the mandate of perfecting the saints for the work of the ministry. Eph. 4:13 does state that there is an UNTIL. That means that these ministry functions have a finish, a completion a set target. This target is to prepare ALL saints for the work of the minstry, not just what we have limited ministry to within the confines of the four walls of the church. If each person who is a believer is to function in ministry,and this ministry is made complete through the combined giftings of these 5 governmental offices, therefore, the onus is on the persons in these governmental offices to must be able to function in the apostolic, prophetic, teaching, evangelistic and pastorial anointings. It is not that each believer will become an apostle, prophet, teacher, evangelist, pastor but in the daily functions of their lives they will access the grace given for these functions and wherever they are at work, home, school they will be in ministry so that ministry becomes no longer and isolated church term but a MANIFESTED, CONSISTENT LIFESTYLE. |