Ephesians 4:1-16
4 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 Endeavoring 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.
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
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.)
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:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of G[/b]od, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body for joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Let's break it down…
V. 7-8 The Body of Christ consists of various (bodily) members who have been given "a measure of grace"
V. 8 -AND- "a measure of personal" gift(s)" to be used…
V. 11 "And he gave some apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers"
V. 12 For the perfecting of the Saints (The BODY)
V. 13 Till we (the Body) come in the unity of the Faith, knowledge of the Son of God, perfect until the measure and stature of the fullness of Christ.
V. 15 So they may "grow up into Him in all things"
V. 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ
V. 13 Speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
V. 16 the whole body for joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Should a congregation create a secular tradition to boot out their Pastors/Elders/Leaders each and every year?
V. 13 "till we come into Unity of the Faith
V. 13 "Unto the measure of the stature of the Fullness of God"
It instructs this process takes much longer than a year anyhow ^^^
1. V. 13 to grow someone up into him takes more than a year
2. V. 14 the body calls each persons gifts and grace assigned "joints" which supplieth the body it's needs.
To even present the option to break apart joints of the BODY which serve to "perfect" the other joints of the body...um isn't this contrary to Gods purpose?
