bjcollin

According to Ephesians 4:7 which says 'unto every one of us is given' (KJV) or 'to each one of us' (NIV/NASB/NKJV) which denotes all Christians have received a gift. The gift spelled out in Ephesians 4:7 is GRACE (charis). The other reference verses in Romans, 1 Corinthians, and 1 Peter make a much better case that this grace (charis) we are given is for spiritual gifts (pneuma charisma). Ephesians 4:8 then goes on to quote Psalms 68:18 and links it together to say that 'He gave gifts to men'. Psalms 68:18 however says 'You have received gifts among men.' What is the difference in the two verses? I take this to mean that WE (aka the Church / the Bride) are the gift that Christ has received in Psalms 68:18 and He in turn apportions Grace back to us and Spiritual Gifts through His Holy Spirit. The implication in light of this is that we all have to work together in unity operating using our Spiritual Gifts to make the body work towards its goal.

The unity is that we agree that Baptism is commanded by God in scripture. The differences in administration are ok as long as we agree on following the action and what it represents in our lives. Striving for unity should never blur our faithfulness to Biblical understanding. Our relationship with God and learning about Him through the Word unlocks the door to walking in the Spirit which will bring about unity. It is not unity for the sake of unity, but unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. I think the meaning of "unity" in this context is not clearly defined. Unity in this case doesn't mean I will do and say and like everything the same as you do because we are in unity. I think unity has more to do with the Holy Spirit living within me because I am a Christian and the Holy Spirit living within you because you are a Christian being bonded together in agreement (unity of the Spirit) through peace.

The seven elements that unite all Christians in Ephesians 4:4-4:6 are: 1. One Body 2. One Spirit 3. One Hope 4. One Lord 5. One Faith 6. One Baptism 7. One God and Father of all What is compelling to me is that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are all listed (7 Father, 4, 2) along with God as the complete Trinity (7 God). The other elements in the list are Body (soma), Hope, Faith, and Baptism. To me this just screams of the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 'Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." '

Ephesians 4:3 "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." The Holy Spirit brings about the unity, but we are to maintain the unity. Bond - 4886 sundesmos {soon'-des-mos} 1) that which binds together, a band, bond 1a) of ligaments by which the members of the human body are united together 2) that which is bound together, a bundle Peace - 1515 eirene {i-ray'-nay} probably from a primary verb eiro (to join); 1) a state of national tranquillity 1a) exemption from the rage and havoc of war 2) peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord 3) security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous) 4) of the Messiah's peace 4a) the way that leads to peace (salvation) 5) of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is 6) the blessed state of devout and upright men after death Romans 8:6 "The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;" Phillipians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." It is hard to describe, but there just is a peace when you come into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. I think that this common bond of peace that we have as Christians is given to us by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. When we make every effort to pass this peace given to us by the Holy Spirit on to others, especially other Christians, we are promoting the unity of the Spirit. The words "make every effort" causes this to be a primary goal for us.

The characteriscics or attitudes necessary for maintaining unity with other Christians are listed in Ephesians 4:2 - "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." However, do these characteristics refer to living a life worthy of our calling in verse 1 or do they refer to keeping the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace in verse 3 or both? I believe this list refers to both verses prior and next. Personally I think the most important is love (agape in our verse), because out of love the other virtues of humility, gentleness, patience, and forebearance can grow. However, I do think it is interesting that humble and gentle are listed first before patience and forebearance and love. Is order important in verse 2 or is it just arbitrary? The most dificult for me is humility which says I defer to God out of submissive respect to His authority in my life. Everybody always says I am the pilot and God is the co-pilot, but that is not what I want I want the reverse. Humble - 1. Marked by meekness or modesty in behavior, attitude, or spirit; not arrogant or prideful. 2. Showing deferential or submissive respect. 3. Low in rank, quality, or station; unpretentious or lowly. (from Latin humilis, low, lowly, from humus, ground)

Abraham Lincoln said "A house divided against itself cannot stand." This was a paraphrase of what Jesus said in Matthew 12:25 "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand." A lack of unity in the body of Christ is one of the things that can destroy us in our Christian mission here on earth. Yes, we are each a different part of the body, but all of the parts of the body have to work in unision to get the job done. I agree with what Linda Stanley said in this forum, it takes real work to be unified. The power of God that flows when unity is present is what is worthy about unity. I don't think that there is any worthiness about separation from fellow Christians unless they are not following after Christ. According to these verses in Ephesians 4, our calling is to live a life worthy of our calling and to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

It tells us that Jesus Christ (the Lamb) is also God right next to God the Father. He is worthy of that praise and honor and glory and power.

At the time, the priests were the only ones who had direct access to God through the Temple. Through Jesus Christ's sacrifice at the cross we now also have direct access to God through Him. I believe that our reign on the earth is both now and later. Now I think we are limited to a spiritual reign only because of our spiritual authority and spiritual position in Christ (Eph 2:6). In the future, we are to reign with Him in heaven and then also on the earth when He comes again to set up His kingdom on earth.

The Lamb was slain, the sacrifice was perfect. Also, the Lamb was resurrected and is in heaven on the throne. We are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

Revelation 5:6 "Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth." Lamb - Jesus Christ, the sacrifical lamb who was slain and resurrected. Standing - Sitting on the throne is a symbol of power, authority, and reign. Standing in the center of the throne is a symbol of ultimate power, ultimate authority, and ultimate reign. Jesus is the center of it all. Horns - Omnipotence. Eyes - Omnipresence. Seven - Completion, finished work, perfection. Summary - The Lamb has the qualities of God. Jesus was God walking in our shoes as man to redeem us from our sins. (John 1:1-5, John 3:16-17)

(from Matthew 1) Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah ... David ... Joseph, Jesus. Which shows Jesus' lineage through the tribe of Judah and through King David. These title signify that Jesus was the messiah who was supposed to come through this lineage and Jesus has this recorded lineage.

The congregation is the saved body of believers in Jesus Christ, who are indwelled with power in the Holy Spirit. Members of the congregation help to bring this about by working on their own personal relationship with God (Eph 1:18) and by walking in His Spirit. This takes shape in my own life by being led by God's Spirit and improving on my relationship with Him. The same should be for the congregation.

The apostles and the prophets contribute to my life today through the written word in the Bible. They serve as examples of how a relationship with God through Christ Jesus works. Christ is the cornerstone of all Christian church congregrations in that we as followers of Him have the Holy Spirit inside of us building His church. We grow or rise in to a holy temple in the Lord as we each deepen our relationship with the Lord in our Christian walk and also as we see our lost family members getting saved and entering the Kingdom of God along with us.

The term strangers and aliens is a reference to the Jewish law which has very specific references to people who aren't Jews, but are living among God's chosen people. There was even a sign up at the Temple "God's House" which forbid strangers and aliens past a certain point. Now that we are both members of God's household that tells us that the church nature is to be more like a household. The brotherly/sisterly and household member fellowship is more appropriate in the local congregation. The implication for Christians who aren't faithful to gather with a local congregation is that they do not want to be a part of the household and are thus behaving like the prodigal son in going his own way.

We are fellow-citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. We are holy and sanctified (saints) because we are washed in the blood of the Lamb.

Access to the Father is important because God the Father is the power. It is similar to having diplomatic relations in that we are Christ's ambassadors (2 Cor 5:20, Eph 6:20). We obtained this access through God the Son (Jesus Christ) who gave us (both Jews and Gentiles, aka the Church) this access to the Father through His blood and through the cross. God the Holy Spirit is God living in us who brings us to Himself and acts to give us the access to the Father. (Ephesians 2:11-22) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. Each of these commandments can only be fulfilled through God's Spirit living inside of us giving us access to Himself. If we are walking in the Spirit then we will be doing the things of the Spirit which is in the will of God and His purpose for us.

According to verse 20, God's power works within us. This is the same power that God used to raise Jesus (Eph 1:20), and it is immeasurable as it is the measure of all the fullness of God and it is more than we can ask or imagine (Eph 3:19-20). I believe this power isn't more evident in saints lives today mainly because we don't believe it is ours to have (i.e. lack of faith), and also because of sin. If we are exercising Christ's power here on earth, we will be solely relying on God through the Holy Spirit to direct us and give the glory back to Him.

For Christians we have a powerful risen saviour over our lives which form the church. This says to me that the church has the same power as Christ has because He is our head.

I don't know about a future Passover meal, but I am reminded of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

With sorrow because Jesus was crucified for what I did. With joy because I am accepting His blood as forgiveness and by grace through faith accepting entrance to heaven to be with Him when I die.

It is very important to forgove others before partaking of the Lord's Supper because God has forgiven us. So who are we not to forgive when God has forgiven us? The Lord's Supper is all about accepting the forgiveness that was presented at the cross by Jesus, so turning around and presenting unforgiveness would be sin and shows a non understanding of what God has done for us.

To me the significance of drinking Jesus' blood and eating his flesh is of ultimate importance in that we are taking Jesus into ourselves. We are personally accepting His blood shed on the cross for the forgiveness of sins and His flesh which was broken for us and accepting it into ourselves. This was a very radical idea in Jesus' day and it is still a radical idea today in that there is no other way to heaven but through Jesus. It is not something that we can do in ourselves i.e. if I sacrifice in just the right way and if I keep the law and if ... if I take communion and get baptized and go to church every Sunday ... or if I am a good person. NO, this is a Spirit invitation that God initiates and we reply to it in humility, contriteness and acceptance.

The Jewish Passover sedar and the Lord's Supper are the same in that we are recognizing and partaking in what God has done for us in rememberance. The differences are that the Jewish Passover sedar recognizes God's deliverance of the Jews from Egypt, and the Lord's Supper recognizes God's deliverance of mankind from Sin through Jesus' death on the cross and His resurrection.

The lambs' blood on the first Passover protected the families of God's people and kept their firstborn alive so that the Lord would passover their houses. The primary point of comparison between the passover lamb and Christ being our passover lamb is that He spilled His blood for us so that God could passover and consider our sin paid for to allow us entrance into heaven and continued fellowship with Him.

The significance from the standpoint of power, being that we are seated with Christ in the heavenly realms, gives us the same power and authority that Christ has over the evil spirits and powers. It is also significant in that the majority of the church today doesn't seem to live and walk in this authority and power.