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NASB | Ephesians 4:3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 4:3 Make every effort to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace [each individual working together to make the whole successful]. |
Subject: references to church unity |
Bible Note: TGC; The Lord bless you as you continue to fulfill the call God have given you. One thing I've noticed through some of the experiences God has given me. I've been a member in a church that had one main ministry where everybody joins in and supports that "vision" because the pastor says that is the direction The Lord is taking us. Unforunately all the real outreach ministries dwindled away because the church in word encouraged the ministry but in practise didn't. I've also been in a church that gave believer classes to help them discover their gifts whether it was serving or prayer or helps or teaching etc. and then gave them training to learn how to use their gifts, but it didnt stop there they also help them find oppertunities to use their gifts. It seemed like everybody waas going in a hundred different directions, and they were but it was God's direction for each individual person. they had unity because everybody was able to fulfill the call of God for themselves being supported by the leadership of the church. Eph 4:11-13 "And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ." Unity here is brought about because those "Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers" the leaders of the church were building the body up to do the work of of God not their own "vision". Unity comes when the body knows the leadership supports them in their calling. Sorry about being long winded. I hope this helps. |