The Perfecting of the Saints (Ephesians 4: 1-13)

   “To the praise of the glory of His grace (all of His provisions more than sufficient to meet our need), wherein he hath made us accepted in (Christ) the beloved” (Ephesians 1: 6).  Continuing in Ephesians 4:11-24; “And He gave some apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  ‘til we all come in the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”  

   This is the first priority of the Church!  “That we henceforth be no more children (still desiring only milk, and not the meat, being) tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the slight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in (agapa) love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, making the increase of the body into the edifying of itself in love.”  Agapa love, the same love by which we are loved of the Father, so as not to cause others to stumble.

   “This I say therefore, and testify in the ...