So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV)
I am in a Bible study that is currently working its way through Ephesians 4. I’ve heard enough sermons about Ephesians 4:11-13 that I know most pastors focus on the roles of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers (or “pastors and teachers,” depending on how you read the Greek punctuation). In the larger church there is dissension about whether or not these roles were just for the first-generation Church, or whether this is the way Jesus intends his Church to be led today. I’ve even heard someone say that if a church body is not led by these roles it is not a true part of the Church.
I haven’t come to that conclusion myself, and I’m hesitant to draw such a rigid line. Scripture emphasizes many other themes that seem more central. Unity, for example—Jesus spends all of John 17 praying that his followers would be one. Maturity is another; New Testament writers consistently urge believers to grow up in their faith (see Hebrews 6:1 and Colossians 1:28).
What I don’t often hear are sermons on the second part of these verses: “…so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.“
In some ways you can read this verse, immediately agree with it, and then just keep going. After all, what Christian doesn’t want unity? What Christian doesn’t want maturity? But I’ve been musing a bit on this verse and keep coming back to one question: What would the Church look like if every believer truly was in unity with each other and mature in faith?
Which leads me to more questions.
Is the upheaval and change we’re seeing across the global church part of an end-times purification, preparing the Church to be without “spot or wrinkle” at Christ’s return (Ephesians 5:27)?
If Jesus is refining his Church now—removing the “lampstands” of those who won’t repent or return to their first love—does that mean only certain groups represent the true Church? I know deeply faithful, Spirit-led believers in many different kinds of churches, not just those that identify themselves as “the ecclesia.” It seems more consistent with Jesus’ teaching to say that all such believers are part of the true “called-out” people of God.
And if, in our time, Jesus is separating the “sheep” from the “goats” (Matthew 25:31–33), what does that say about our own nation?
If you’ve read this far, you’ve probably recognized that I haven’t really come to any conclusions, just more questions. But, those questions do call us to prayer.
Lord Jesus,
Thank you for the Bible, which helps us know you and discern your will for us as your children. Today we lift up the Church universal—all faithful, Word-and-Spirit believers across every nation and local body. No matter the size or name of a congregation, we pray that each would be filled with people who are spiritually hungry to know, love, and serve you.
Give us wisdom and courage to make needed changes, especially in areas of leadership. Where hearts and actions do not align with your purposes, we ask that you would intervene and bring alignment according to your will. Cleanse your Church and make her more like Jesus—mature, pure, and set apart for you. Strengthen our commitment to love you and love one another, especially within the body of Christ, so that we may walk in unity with you and with each other.
Build up the body of Christ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of your Son, growing into maturity and the fullness of Christ. As we move toward the fulfillment of your plans, help us to hear and obey the voice of our Good Shepherd, so that one day we may hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” To you our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory, majesty, dominion, and power both now and forevermore. AMEN.
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen. (Jude 1:24-25 NKJV)
He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ’s followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church, until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13 MSG)
And [His gifts to the church were varied and] He Himself appointed some as apostles [special messengers, representatives], some as prophets [who speak a new message from God to the people], some as evangelists [who spread the good news of salvation], and some as pastors and teachers [to shepherd and guide and instruct], [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]; until we all reach oneness in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, [growing spiritually] to become a mature believer, reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ [manifesting His spiritual completeness and exercising our spiritual gifts in unity]. (Ephesians 4:11-13 AMP)
This is to continue until all of us are united in our faith and in our knowledge about God’s Son, until we become mature, until we measure up to Christ, who is the standard. (Ephesians 4:11-13 GW)
So remember the heights from which you have fallen, and repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will] and do the works you did at first [when you first knew Me]; otherwise, I will visit you and remove your lampstand (the church, its impact) from its place—unless you repent. (Revelation 2:5 AMP)
That He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:27 NKJV)
Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God… (Hebrews 6:1 ESV)
So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. (Colossians 1:28 NLT)