Ephesians - Christ's Body on Earth  

BY: ABRAHAM J. MEINTJES El-Shaddai Projects Int EPHESIANS - CHRIST'S BODY ON EARTH

AIM

To investigate the functioning of the Body of Christ on Earth according to the model prescribed by the Apostle Paul, for the Christian church in Ephesus.

FOREWORD

My quest is to reason from theology, through religion, to practical Christianity, by asking myself;-

My analysis of the Ephesians - Christ's Body on Earth, looks at the history of Ephesus from Acts and other sources, the letter of Paul (to the Ephesians) and the letter of John (to the pastor of the church in Ephesus), and specifically at the proposed functioning of the Body as described in (Paul's) Ephesians 4.

I then ask; "Looking at the world 2006 years after Christ, is the church functioning effectively according to Pauls model?",

INTRODUCTION

What does a "Mat 28:18-20 report" of the church after 2006 years indicates?

* Roughly one third of the world (10/40 window & Africa) is practically still unreached.

* One third of the worlds' population is within reach amongst or near us, but are not in the church, or left the church (mature but frustrated

* One third of the world's people are in the church, but are divided on theology, doctrine, and practice6b).

* Only 12%-15% of Churchians are Christ-relationship/ Bible-believing Christians*.

* There are less than 1 million Christian workers in the foreign missions field today*. If we do not send them, who will? If not now, when then? (Rom 10:14-15).

* The local church has failed, and still fails to reach the hearts and minds of most of the people in their territory.

* Operation Mobilisation and Joshua Project statistics.

What happened that caused the focus on church buildings, management and maintenance -to overrun and totally obscure what we were taught as soon as the Bible appeared into our hands, namely "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ...attaining the whole measure of the fullness of Christ". (Eph 4:11-13)

Church leadership over the ages determined how the church thinks and functions, and that in turn influences the word. Are we exploding or are we imploding as yeast, salt and light to the world?

How do we become better stewards, - functioning much more fully according to Ephesians 4?

Ultimately, where does the redesign start - it starts with those of us who report to God as (servant) leaders and teachers (who will be doubly judged according to James 3:1).

"Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly."

BACKGROUND: CHURCH IN EPHESUS

Paul passed by Ephesus in about the years 49 - 53 A.D, on his second and third missions journeys - having been set aside, developed, anointed and sent our from Christ's Body on earth in a very orderly manner (Acts 13).

In Ephesus he found some believers and a synagogue. The believers had not yet heard of the Holy Spirit, or received the Holy Spirit after Pentecost. Paul baptised them in the Holy Spirit, and they spoke in tongues (Acts 19:1-7).

Paul taught boldly in the synagogue for three months. He did many signs and wonders, and many came to hold the name of Jesus Christ in high regard, repenting of evil practices (Acts 19:8-20).

After some conflict with the idol trade (and their union?), which culminated in a riot at the theatre, Paul left for Macedonia (Acts 19:21-40).

Acts 19: 20 does however, report that the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power (- despite the city).

PAUL'S LETTER

Many events passed in both the life of Paul, and in Ephesus, and by about 60 A.D. Paul wrote to the Ephesians (possibly in a circular letter also addressed to other churches such as the Colossians), from prison in Rome .

The letter does not seem to aim to address any particular error or heresy, but strives to expand the horizons of the readers, so that they might better understand the dimensions of God's eternal purpose and grace, and can come to understand the high Goals God has for the church.

Exalting Jesus Christ

It might be noted how much emphases Paul places on exalting Jesus Christ (Eph 1:1-14). Humbleness, Holy Spirit anointing and Holy Spirit authority wax real in Paul's ministry and his apostolic encouragement.

Prayer & Encouragement

Paul's Thanksgiving Prayer in Eph 1:15, and his encouragement in Eph 2:1-10 was, is and will remain a valid re-impartation of power, anointing and authority to the Body of Christ on earth.

Need there be any better description of how we as sinners are equipped and empowered by the grace of God, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit.

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do". (Eph 2:10).

Unity

In Eph 4:4 Paul says "There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and one Father of all, who is over all and through all, and in all."

People-interaction in love, towards a bigger purpose, has throughout the Old and New Testament been apparent in how God relates and encourages His children on earth.

Paul does not speak about one pastor, ruling the Body according to his limited abilities and understanding, - but about the co-operation and corporate unity of the whole Body on Earth. It was never intended to be done by one, or some only.

Relationships

Paul is very aware of the impact that social behaviour and relationships have within the Body of Christ on Earth.

He spends time to carefully describe models for the relationship between Wives and Husbands, Children and Parents, and Slaves (employees) and Masters (employers). (Eph 5:22-33 & 6:1-9.)

Let us give credence to the work of the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul. Paul's sensitivity regarding inter-active relationships is well studied by Satan, who knows that those are areas of weakness to be exploited amongst God's children - especialy in the Body of Christ on Earth.

Is it not noteworthy to be aware of how effectively the devil whispers lies into our sub-conscience when it comes to relationships between husbands and wives, children (teenagers) and their parents, employees/ employers - and the members of the Body of Christ on Earth.

Relationships are what make or break the whole linear effect between creation and the second coming, between establishing the Body of Christ on earth and it's (to date) failure to achieve the fullness of God's objectives in Jesus Christ on global scale ...

We continue to fail in our love for God, and for our neighbour. Yet, I believe that re-focus and redesign of the (training and functioning of) church as we know it, will positively improve the facilitation and the results of "faith in action" and fruit that lasts. Spiritual Warfare

In the area of Spiritual Awareness and Warfare, Paul once again stands out as a very well-equipped Apostle.

I think Paul's explanation of the spiritual forces and evil around us constitute the minimum standard of understanding for every Christian.

I can use the armour defensively (inward-focussed) - shining brilliantly and being well protected under the bushel, or offensively (outward-focussed) - as a change agent, and overflowing fountain of living water to the world around me and further away ...

Paul's Conclusion

Let us take note that despite Paul being in chains at the time of writing this letter, he still acts i.a.w. Hebrews 10:24. He does not stop doing what he can, from where he can, - to encourage the Body (church) in love and good works.

EPHESIANS 4 - PRACTICALLY ATTAINING THE FULLNES OF CHRIST

Accepting the Holy Spirit Authority of the Apostle Paul (based on his anointing, his experience, his power to do miracles, and his academic understanding) - there is no clearer description of the intended functioning of the Body of Christ on Earth, as in Ephesians 4.

The following points model a flow-process that clearly comes to the fore from Eph 4: 1-29;-

* The need for Humility. * Unity in Christ Jesus (not only amongst the differently equipped members of the Body, but also between every race, age group, the sexes, and creed who accepted Christ Jesus). * Gifts of the Spirit. * Five-fold ministry. * Preparing others for ministry. * Bringing all to spiritual maturity. * Love * Patience * The whole Body functioning in all it's aspects (gifts) under the headship of Jesus Christ. * Christian Living. * Attitude of the Mind. * Watching our tongues. * Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God. * Get rid of bitterness (forgive). * Compassion for one another.

From Paul and my own observations, I make the following observations and deductions:

1. Pastors (often also gifted as teachers), can impossibly be sole managers of the body of Christ in all it's envisaged functions.

2. The other elements of the five-fold ministry is not allowed to function with the equal status Paul envisaged - to the most severe and despairing detriment of the development and functioning of the rest of the Body of Christ on Earth.

3. Vast numbers of congregants are not encouraged, taught, and coached to reach spiritual maturity.

4. Innumerable numbers of wonderfully gifted members of the Body of Christ are either neglected, rejected, or just not brought to the fullness of the development, functioning and yeasting into the church, the community, and the world as envisaged by Jesus Christ and God himself.

5. In most every church the Holy Spirit is grieved through self-importance, disobedience, inaction, bad stewardship, resistance, selfishness ...

6. Seminary leaders, Church fathers, and Church leadership (including myself caught in an extended preparation phase for missions work), are in trouble with God - coming a very long time ...

JOHN'S LETTER

Churches are the sum of the interaction of the members of the Body and Christ, and their reactions to outside influence, strongly guided and influenced by the pastor/ leadership.

The Apostle John, now exiled to the Island of Patmos (probably a Roman penal colony) for his work ("interference") as a missionary,- writes to the Ephesians and six other congregations in Asia Minor, at about 90 A.D.

Although there were possibly about 100 churches in Asia Minor at this time, John writes to seven of them. They might have been the most important and representative churches at the time (Minister's Fraternal?) - most certainly of some or other exemplary value to other churches due to their seniority.

John is acting under the grace, power and commission of the Revelation of Jesus Christ to John, on the Island Patmos.

Note: It is the personal spiritual intuition and conviction of the author of this assignment that wherever Jesus spoke to John in Revelation, about the seven candlesticks, seven stars, and seven spirits of God going out over the earth, He speaks of the light-bearing and yeasting function of the Body of Christ on earth (starting at the seven churches of the apocalypse in Asia Minor), and it's leadership ( referred to in Revelation as candle sticks). (e.g. Rev 2:1, Rev 3:1)

Good Points

John commends the Christian church (Church Leader/ Pastor) in Ephesus for not opening his doors to the pressures of sects and not bending under moral or social pressure. (Rev 2:2).

Those who laboured, without fainting, are spoken of by John in love, and John warns that the motives and character of those labouring in love should not be judged. (Rev 2:3). Note: I think that we may question and analyse each other to better learn to understand each other's ministry, but in my limited understanding I should not judge, condemn, or bring disharmony where members of the Body strive to be obedient to their calling and exercising their gifts.

Points for Improvement

John is concerned that the church in Ephesus had chilled in it's first love. (Not having regular Communion, and neglecting each other - deducted from studying the original language and words used in writing the Scriptures). Rev 2:5.

Furthermore, there is concern for the practices of the Nicolaitanes - a religious dictatorship suppressing the laity (as also happens in most modern day churches today), and the Pastor of Ephesians is encouraged in abhorring that practice. Rev 2:6

Challenge

In Rev 2:7 John challenges the Ephesians to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying, and to strive towards the rewards of eternal life, and the "New Jerusalem".

CONCLUSIONS

The relief is that Christ's Body on Earth today, - measured by the Church in Ephesus, - is exposed and plagued by the same ills and challenges of 48 - 90 A.D.

The bad news is that we have had 1958 years of opportunity since Ephesians 4 was written, to learn and to improve - yet the world remains largely unreached with the Good News, and our local society are largely untouched in their hearts and in their minds, (as clearly reflected by crime, lack of personal ethics and integrity, bad government, rejection of the Christian faith, and generally anti-social behaviour in our social environment).

Is it of any real added value then to quote Rev 2:11 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death." ?

RECOMMENDATION

Redesign, re-think, and brainstorm the way churches function, how leadership is trained, and how the Body interacts with it self and with the world - as a matter of urgency and good stewardship/ accountability before the lord of Lords, and king of Kings that we purport to love so dearly.

BIBLIOGRAPHY : EPHESIANS - CHRIST'S BODY ON EARTH

1. Web Site: www.joshuaproject.net (world religious statistics & research).

2. Pirolo, N. (1999) Servings as Senders. OM Books

Bible Distribution - Africa Outreach - Mission Partners

www.elshaddai.givengain.org

About the Author

Mission worker, missions mobiliser, Congo River Church and Community development projects. Write short articles for national magazines.