(Eph 4:11) “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12)  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”  Yes, these are for the “work of the ministry”.  Prophets in the New Testament Church were for a limited time, giving forth the Word of God as the Spirit brought it forth. This office ceased when the Word of God was completed, (1Co 13:8) “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. (9)  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. (10)  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”  IF a person stands up in a Service and says something like, “The Lord wants us to love one another more”, is that prophecy? I say no, for we already know that from the Bible. Nothing new has been given, so it is not prophecy. If they gave us something new, would it not be adding to the Word which is seriously warned against in both the Old and New Testaments? Thank God we have the completed Word of God. We need no more. Praise His Name! 

(Eph 4:11) “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12)  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”  Yes, these are for the “work of the ministry”. It is important that the Bible be interpreted and then taught by Its whole. The teaching on the Apostles is one such subject:  (Luk 6:13) “And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;”  When you hear the word, “disciples”, you probably think of the twelve. Yet, because of lack of teaching the Bible as a whole, we do not understand that Jesus had many disciples. The twelve were called “apostles” from the very beginning.  IF we are daily in the Word of God and learn to look at it and interpret it as a “whole”, then we will protect ourselves from many errors of interpretation we are subjected unto.

 (Eph 4:8) “Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (9)  (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? (10)  He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)”The “fill all things” is referring to “fulfilling all things”. The predetermined plan of God was to come to this earth, fulfill all of God’s laws, offer Himself as the sacrifice for sins, die in the place of man, and then rise again from the dead, setting free the souls of  those who died in faith in the blood, and now spiritually birthing both Jews and Gentiles into the salvation experience so that they might go to heaven also. (Long sentence!) 

(Eph 4:7) “ But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.”   The measure is literally “a degree of”.  What does that mean? I can only say that whatever I or you receive, it is sufficient to cover our sins! Praise His Name! 

(Eph 4:3) “ Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (4) There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (5)  One Lord, one faith, one baptism, (6)  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”  Endeavor, try your very best, to keep the unity of the Spirit among yourselves in the church. It is not, “I must have my way”, but instead, what is best for God’s children as a whole. In context, we have each the same God the Father, the same Lord and Savior, have experienced the same baptism of the Holy Spirit, and look for the same eternity. We will dwell in total unity there, so get started, as much as is humanly possible – down here. 

Eph 4:3) “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (4) There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (5) One Lord, one faith, one baptism,   There are those who approach doctrinal error, or sin on their part, such as in the mode of baptism, as ok as long as they are sincere in their motivation. Wrong. Sin is still sin no matter the motivation. A person can be sincerely wrong. The true Believer is to endorse truth, even if it means condemning self’s past actions. Humility is never easy, yet needful and blessed by God: (Jas 4:10) “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” 

(Eph 4:3) “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (4) There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (5) One Lord, one faith, one baptism,   Most think that it doesn’t really matter what mode of baptism you have had, as long as your heart is right with God. Wrong. The mode of baptism represents a picture of the gospel: the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ Jesus! It also says we were buried with Him in death and raised with Him in the sight of God (Rom 6) ! To distort baptism is to distort the gospel. So, yes, it matters to God!

(Eph 4:3) “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (4) There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (5) One Lord, one faith, one baptism,   There are those who at times say, “The Lord said such and such a thing to me.” Dr. David A Cavin, pastor of High Street Baptist Church of Springfield, Mo, long with the Lord now, once told how a missionary called him and said, “The Lord told me you would buy me a new car.” His response: “When He tells me, you’ll get it.” The Bible says, (1Jn_4:1)  “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”  It is not how good one speaks, how nice a person is, or how dynamic the personality, that should demand our obedience. It is whether the Spirit of God has spoken through that person. IF they are of God, their words will agree with the Bible. Sadly, most believers have not studied the Word enough to “try the spirits”.  

(Eph 4:3) “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (4) There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (5) One Lord, one faith, one baptism, (6)  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”  Within the body of Christ, we are to dwell together in unity of heart. Some only practice “going to church” out of habit or conscience. They do not ever stay to fellowship, develop relationships. That is not unity. If we are truly saved, we are part of one another as we are “one” in Christ. Take the time. Do what really pleases the Lord.  

(Eph 4:1)  I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, (2)  With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love (3) Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. “   The actions and responses of the previous verses are for the purpose of testimony, glorification, and blessings upon the church and therefore upon the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not always possible (endeavoring)  since so many professing believers today do not read the Word, and therefore cannot live what they do not know. Fleshly, willful individuals harm the people (church) and moreso the Lord’s reputation, (Jn 13:35) “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another”!