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NASB | Ephesians 4:12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 4:12 [and He did this] to fully equip and perfect the saints (God's people) for works of service, to build up the body of Christ [the church]; |
Bible Question:
Ephesians 4:11-12 (Amplified) And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers. His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ's body (the church), In this passage who are to be the ministers? By that I mean, should the church be a Seminary? How do you understand 'equipping'? It is for what purpose/ministry? |
Bible Answer: Hello Thomas8, Who are to be ministers? The plain sense of the passage says that God's people do the work of ministry, however that's not what is normally seen in Christendom. Should the church be a seminary? Ideally, yes, and because of that, I do not fear to teach difficult doctrine or Biblical/systematic theology. Just use simple language to teach deep truths. What is equipping? Teaching someone how to do something. For instance, an evangelist teaches how to share the gospel, a pastor-teacher (for so it should read) teaches how to care for god's people. For what purpose? Any that builds up the body of Christ. Steve |