CHRIST'S GIFTS TO THE CHURCH

God did not plan for man to come into Christ and then go no farther. He does not desert the believer as he rises from baptism. His purpose does not stop with the effective preaching of the gospel. Rather He has designed the redemption of man so thoroughly that no facet of his salvation is omitted.

When one is saved it is not in isolation. He comes into the church, the body of Christ. He becomes one among others, in Christ. God has intended and provided that each member of the body be brought to maturity in Christ.

To this end Christ has given gifts to His people collectively. In this lesson, Paul discusses Christ's gifts to the church (Ephesians 4:7-16).

Body

I. THE GIVER - THE EXALTED CHRIST.

   A. Paul quotes from Psalm 68:18 and applies it to Christ's spiritual work on behalf of His people, the church (4:8).

        1. The Old Testament Psalm.

            a. The psalm is one of praise to Jehovah for His merciful acts on behalf of Israel.

                (1) He has led Israel through the wilderness (6, 7).

                (2) He has given them a Law at Sinai (8).

                (3) He has driven out the nations and given Israel an inheritance (9-14).

                (4) He has dwelt among His people in Zion (15, 16).

            b. The psalmist calls on God to complete Israel's redemption from all enemies and give them total victory (1, 21-31).

            c. God is a deliverer, a conqueror and a giver of gifts (18).

        2. Paul's use of it.

            a. Paul quotes in 4:8 from the Greek Old Testament, changing the verb "took/received" to "gave," and changing the singular "man" to "men."

            b. This adds to the Old Testament picture of a conqueror who takes spoils the additional idea that he then gives them to his people.

            c. Paul applies this to Jesus, spiritually, as the psalm applied it to Jehovah, literally.

            d. Jesus first "descended" into the "lower parts of the earth" (fig. Hades, realm of Satan and place of the dead, 4:9).

            e. Jesus then "ascended" into heaven, "far above all heavens" (4:10). Now He is able to "fill all things."

            f. Jesus had stormed the gates of the strong man (Satan, see Luke 11:20-22) and bound him. He had entered his house, spoiled his goods, and now divides the spoils with those whom he freed from the strong man.

   B. Metaphorically, all this took place in the death, resurrection and ascension and glorification of Christ. Paul uses this idea from the Psalm to introduce his discussion of Christ's gifts to the church.

II. THE GIFTS. For the benefit of the church (collectively)

   Christ gave "gifts" in the form of special functions of service. Each function is for the benefit of all the church, and therefore is a gift to the whole church. (4: 11).

   A. Apostles, to witness to Christ's resurrection and bear witness to God's saving acts in Jesus of Nazareth, in keeping with and fulfillment of God's Old Testament history of salvation.

   B. Prophets, to reveal the will of God for the new disciples. This was done a little at a time, as needed, and included both men and women (Acts 2:16-18; 21:8, 9; 1 Cor. 11:5). This function was no longer needed after the New Testament books (canon) had been completed and accepted.

   C. Evangelists, to tell the good news of Jesus. The word literally means a "gospelizer," or "one who tells good news (gospel)." It seems likely that the word has special reference to those who travel from place to place with the gospel, though it applies to the "gospelizer" who lives in one place, also.

   D. Pastors and teachers, to shepherd (pastor) and teach the flock, to lead them and feed them. The original Greek indicates that these two words apply to the same class of persons in the church. It is true that all pastors (bishops) are to be "apt to teach," though not all teachers are also "pastors."

III. THE PURPOSE OF THE GIFTS - THE MATURITY OF ALL THE SAINTS (4:12-15).

   A. The saints are thus perfected for the work of service (4:13).

        1. Saints = all Christians, those separated for God's use.

        2. Perfecting = "completing," "equipping."

        3. Ministry = any service rendered, hereby any Christian.

        4. These gifts are for the equipping of each of God's people to do his own part in the service of God. Because the Apostles saw and told, the evangelists preached, the prophets revealed and the pastors taught and led, every saint is able to work with God in the unfolding of the scheme of redemption (see 2:10; 3:10).

   B. This makes the whole body of Christ grow into spiritual maturity (4:12, 13).

        1.It is for the building up (edifying) of the body of Christ, to full development.

        2.That goal is described in a number of ways.

            a. The unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God.

            b. A (perfect) mature man.

            c. The measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

IV. THE DUTY OF EACH CHRISTIAN IN VIEW OF CHRIST'S GIFTS.

   A. Grow up in discernment of doctrine (4:14, 15).

        1. Not be children, tossed to and fro. False teachers are around.

        2. Speaking truth in love, grow up into Christ as the head. (Whatever does not exalt Christ or His work of redemption, cause love for Him, or enable men to be more like Him is not healthy teaching for the body. Whatever does these things is "truth," and is to be spoken in love.)

        3. Each member of the body is to learn to discern between truth and error. It is not simply for the preacher or elder to know and the other members run to them all the time.

   B. Every member of the body must function.

        1. Nourishment, life and direction proceed to each member from Christ the head (4:15, 16).

        2. This unites the body into a working unit (4:16).

        3. Each member must supply its part and do its work (4:16).

        4. Thus the body increases, in love (4:16).

Conclusion

United by the Spirit (4:4-6), receiving gifts from Christ (4: 7-12), the church - the body of Christ, the people of God - is to mature into the image of Christ. It is the fullness of Christ that we seek (1:23). But we must grow into the fullness (4:13). In this passage Paul shows us how that takes place.

Let each evangelist, each pastor or teacher determine to do his work efficiently for the good of all the saints. Let every Christian determine to be equipped for the work of service and then function in service, so that the whole body of Christ may grow up spiritually as God has intended.

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