INTRODUCTION: One of the outstanding characteristics or Paul's writings is that he inevitably follows the revelation of some precious truth with an admonition to practical duty. So, the recipients of such immeasurable wealth as has been bestowed upon the church of God (a wealth of mercy, grace and glory), OUGHT to respond by living in such a way as to reflect the influence and fruit of these divine blessings.

        Earthly behavior should ALWAYS harmonize with one's heavenly calling. Christian character and conduct OUGHT to be compatible with one's creed and confession. The Christian life must be characterized by a BELIEF that BEHAVES - a FAITH that does not falter!

I. PAUL, FIRST, DISCUSSES THE KIND OF WALK THAT IS WORTHY OF OUR HIGH CALLING IN CHRIST JESUS, (vs. 1-6).

1. IT IS AS A "PRISONER OF THE LORD" THAT PAUL WRITES THIS LETTER FROM ROME - urging his brethren to WALK WORTHY of the vocation wherewith they were called, (vs. 1)


1. Though shut off from his brethren, because of his fidelity to "the testimony of Jesus", his great, pastoral heart is by no means without concern for their spiritual progress!


2. He knows that God's call to unity of spirit and action, within the body of Christ, involves:
1. An invitation to share His fellowship, (I Cor. 1:9)
2. A command to obey His order, as set forth in His word, (I Cor. 15:57-58), and
3. A summons to share in the glorious consummation of His perfect plan, (Rom. 14:17; I Cor. 2:9).


3. Acceptance of His invitation, obedience of His command and attendance upon His summons are indicated by proper Christian behavior!


2. NEXT, PAUL CALLS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUCH CHRISTIAN GRACES AS WILL, POSITIVELY, CONTRIBUTE TOWARD PERFECTING THE KIND OF CHARACTER THAT GOD HAS PURPOSED FOR HIS PEOPLE.

    2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

        Here is the urging of such Christian graces as will work toward developing the kind of character that God desires in His people. He mentions:


1. Such LOWLINESS (humility) as considers others BETTER than one's self, and BEFORE one's self - joyfully submitting to others (within the body) in the fear of the Lord. (comp. Phil. 2:3).


2. A genuine COURTESY that is meek, dispassionate, steadfast and calmly joyful in the Lord's service, (comp. Isa. 53:7; I Pet. 2:23).


3. Such LONGSUFFERING as patiently endures and perseveres - even in the face of: ridicule, ostracism, persecution for the faith, and when others attempt to dominate or take advantage. It is enabled to persevere in the right because it lays hold on the DIVINE ADEQUACY made available to ALL who fully commit themselves TO GOD'S OWN DISPOSAL! (Gal. 6:9; Heb. 6:15; 10:36; I Pet. 3:20).


4. But, these first three things are workable ONLY as they are rooted in LOVING FORBEARANCE - bearing with the weaknesses and trivialities of others, in love.


3. THEN, PAUL CALLS FOR DILIGENT EFFORT TOWARD MAINTAINING A SPIRIT OF UNITY WITHIN THE BODY - in the bonds of peace.

    3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace.

1. Though possible only with the AID of the Holy Spirit; this "unity of spirit", for which Paul calls, appears to be the maintaining of a common, corporate ATTITUDE of heart and mind.
1. The real TEST OF LOVE, among the saints, is viewed as hinging upon the attitude we hold toward each other in the "body of Christ".
2. Whatever we say or do is to be done with a conscious endeavor to maintain such a spirit of unity as contributes to the harmonious working of the WHOLE BODY for the glory of Christ!


2. Enduring unity may be ours ONLY as we are bound by a common consecration, in loyal dedication to the Spirit's absolute control over our common life.
1. To secure this requires personal endeavor and mutual self-surrender.
2. Individualistic selfishness distorts and divides - especially when it is displayed within a church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. Such an attitude always dishonors the name of Him Who is our Living Head!
4. Where diverse dispositions, tastes, personalities, races, social and intellectual standings are concerned, the preservation of unity is no small task!


4. ENCOURAGING THIS SPIRIT OF UNITY, TO WHICH WE ARE CALLED, IS A SEVEN-FOLD COMMONNESS THAT WE ALREADY SHARE AS FELLOW-BODY-MEMBERS, (vs. 4-6).

    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.

1. ONE BODY.
1. This is THE CHURCH (local assembly) wherein Scripturally baptized believers (in the Son of God) have covenanted themselves together, for mutual edification and the carrying out of the Great Commission, as the fullest earthly manifestation of the incarnate Christ that is to be found in the world today, (1:23; 2:16; Col. 3:15).
2. Fellow-body-members should work together harmoniously - lovingly and willingly cooperating for the common prosperity of the WHOLE body.
3. The unity that we profess, when we partake of the Lord's Table (declaring ourselves to be "one loaf", I Cor. 5:6-7), OUGHT NEVER TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY!


2. ONE SPIRIT - the Holy Spirit, under whose convicting power we were brought to realize our need of a Savior, and to yield our hearts to Him in humble and joyful surrender; and whose presence has ever been with us since that glad day!
1. But, Jesus promised a SPECIAL DISPENSATION of the Holy Spirit, as an abiding (continuing) Comforter for His church, (Jn. 14:16-18).
2. On the first Pentecost (following our Lord's resurrection), the promised Spirit was sent from heaven to once for-all BAPTIZE and INDWELL the Lord's holy temple - His church, (Acts 2:1-4, 33; Eph. 2:22; Matt. 3:1; Jn. 1:33; Acts 1:5).
3. One of His primary tasks, in this special office as Administrator over the affairs of the church, is to GUIDE the people of God into ALL TRUTH - the apostles into recording it; the saints into believing, receiving and obeying it, (Jn. 16:12-15).


3. The ONE HOPE of our calling is what Paul elsewhere calls "the blessed hope" - involving our expectation of a "better resurrection" to share in the fulness of Christ's glory, nature and authority at his "appearing and kingdom", (Tit. 2:13-14; Col. 1:27; Heb. 11:35).


4. The ONE LORD, to whose authority we submit, is, in this passage, Jesus, the Christ; lordship over our lives belongs to Him by right of:
1. CREATION: "It is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves", (Psa. 100:3; Jn. 1:3; Col. 1:14-18).
2. The PURCHASE of our redemption, (I Cor. 6:19-20).


5. The ONE FAITH, which we share, involves:
1. First, the simple, subjective act of saving trust in Jesus Christ, by which we lay hold on His saving strength. Though a SINGLE ACT, it involved nothing less than the "outgoing of our entire being" toward the Savior - the understanding, emotions and will ALL being involved, (Isa. 26:4; Prov. 3:5-6; Acts 16:31).
2. When fully developed, this faith will involve the very "faith of Christ" - an attitude of constant, total dependence on God for EVERYTHING! (Jn. 5:30)
1) As Jesus delighted to do His Father's will, so must we, in loving trust and joyful obedience, learn to submit ourselves under His sovereign authority in everything.
2) Paul's apostleship to the Gentiles involved the responsibility of calling us to this very obedience which springs from faith, and is, in fact, INSEPARABLE from a FAITH THAT IS REAL! (Rom. 1:5)


6. The ONE BAPTISM that we have shared is JOHN'S BAPTISM - the baptism he was divinely-commissioned to administer in connection with his introduction of the Messiah, and his call for Israel to yield herself, in loyal submission and faithful commitment, to His rightful LORDSHIP! (Jn. 1:61, 29-34).
1. This is WATER baptism - a pictorial ordinance (involving total immersion), whereby the believer publicly declares his identification with Jesus Christ in His death, burial and resurrection.
1) In baptism one declares his own death to sin, and his abandonment of the old life - with its lusts.
2) He declares that He has, through a birth from above, received a new, spiritual life.
3) And, in baptism, he pledges that, following his public identification with Christ, he will, henceforth, walk in the power of Christ's resurrection, (Rom. 6:4).
2. This is the SAME BAPTISM that was received and administered by Jesus Christ and His apostles - though Jesus Himself never, literally, baptized ANYONE; He authorized its administration by His apostles during His own personal ministry on earth, (Jn. 4:1-2).
3. This is the ONLY baptism divinely-commanded for, and experienced by, individual Christians - however much the charismatic's may bray to a different tune!
4. The administration of this baptism has been committed into the hands of the Lord's church (institution) - the church that He established during His own personal ministry, (Matt. 28:18-20) - NOT to any preacher, priest, council, board or synod!
1) Not everything calling itself a "church" (even a Baptist church) recognizes and follows this "order" - even though, to be acceptable in His sight, God's "order" must be given precedence over EVERYTHING!
2) Some assume anything CALLED "baptism" to be as good as that specifically commanded by our Lord and profusely illustrated in New Testament practice.
3) Others suppose that the "method" (immersion) is the only ESSENTIAL element - forgetting that "lack of authority" renders the act as BOGUS AS A HOT CHECK!
5. To receive a baptism that fails to meet this biblical criteria is to introduce a divisive element into the body.


7. In our identification with Jesus Christ, as fellowbody-members, we share A COMMON FATHER.
1. His sovereignty rules over us all.
2. His power is working through us all.
3. By His Spirit, He dwells within us all!

II. ACCORDING TO THE RESOURCES OF DIVINE GRACE, SUFFICIENT PROVISION IS MADE FOR THE NEEDS OF EVERY NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH, (vs. 7-11).

    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;

        These resources were originally provided through special ministry-gifts, to be exercised for the benefit of the whole body. Though the emphasis, in verses 1-6, has been on the UNITY of the body; beginning in verse 7, Paul's thoughts are centered upon the DIVERSITY of individual endowments designed to make that unity complete.

1. CHRIST'S TRIUMPH OVER DEATH AND THE GRAVE, COMBINED WITH HIS EXALTATION TO GOD'S RIGHT HAND, GUARANTEES HIS ABILITY TO SUPPLY OUR NEEDS, (vs. 8).


1. He has overcome all our foes.


2. Spoiling "principalities and powers", He has led captivity captive.


3. The spiritual hosts of wickedness, in the heavenlies, cannot take us captive if we abide in Christ and live in the power of His risen life.


2. THE RESOURCES WHICH THE LORD PROVIDES, FOR THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF HIS PEOPLE, ARE ABUNDANT, (vs. 7).


1. Every body-member is endowed with some gift (capacity for service) that is absolutely essential to the proper functioning of the body.


2. God not only recognizes the "individuality" of each body-member; He specifically DESIGNED THE DIFFERENCE into His perfect plan for the body.


3. Since each spiritual endowment is lovingly bestowed according to the wisdom of our sovereign Lord, there is no basis for envying one whose gift we may consider superior to our own, or of despising one whose endowment we may consider of lesser importance. ALL ARE EQUALLY NECESSARY IF THE BODY IS TO FUNCTION ACCORDING TO GOD'S OWN PLAN!


4. In verses 9-10, Paul gives a Messianic interpretation of Psalm 68:18. He sees it being fulfilled in the incarnation, life, death, ascension and present session of Jesus Christ at the Father's right hand in heaven.


3. CHRIST'S GIFTS ARE BESTOWED ACCORDING TO THE NEEDS OF EACH PARTICULAR CHURCH, (vs. 11). The idea is NOT that such gifts are bestowed upon MEN, but that men ENDOWED WITH THESE SPECIFIC ABILITIES are gifts of the ascended Head to His beloved Body! Only a few such gifts are here enumerated.


1. APOSTLES, for some: the gift of apostleship being the very FIRST of the spiritualities set IN the church, (I Cor. 12:28) - men whose authority was to be respected, whose spiritual guidance was to be followed, and whose offices were to be of a temporary nature, (Eph. 3:5).


2. PROPHETS were given to other churches: men who heralded the word with great power, and with an authority that could not be gainsaid, (Acts 13:1; 15:32; I Cor. 14:3; Eph. 2:20).


3. EVANGELISTS were given in some cases to proclaim the "good news" of a full and complete salvation. This appears to be an endowment for missionary outreach, like that of Phillip, (Acts 8:5; 21:8).


4. PASTOR-TEACHERS (or teaching pastors) were given for the CARE and INSTRUCTION of the various flocks.


5. These were not the ONLY gifts made available for the development of "the body of Christ"; they are only representative of the full provision made by our Lord, for meeting every conceivable need, (comp. Rom. 13:3-8; I Cor. 12:4-11, 27-31; 13:1-13; etc.).

III. GOD HAS A DEFINITE PURPOSE IN THE PROVISION OF THESE GIFTS FOR HIS CHURCH. (vs. 12-16).

    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 God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness 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 fitly 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.

1. OUR LORD WOULD HAVE HIS PEOPLE GROW UP TO MATURITY OF CHARACTER: thus, the purpose of these special ministry-gifts. They are for:


1. "The perfecting of the saints" - the equipping of His people for service and the upbuilding of the body of which they are members.


2. "The work of the ministry" - involving any sort of SERVICE that contributes to the welfare of the whole body.


3. "The edifying (upbuilding) of the body of Christ", of which they are members.


4. This development must not be permitted to cease until "We all attain unto":
1. The UNITY OF THE FAITH.
2. An experiential knowledge of the Son of God.
3. A perfect, full-grown, properly-functioning man (body).
4. Reflecting to an on-looking world "the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ".


5. The development, thus sought, is NOT that of such individualistic excellence as will call for the praise of GREAT MEN!
1. The emphasis, rather, is upon spiritual growth and the development of such functional body-unity as will exalt the name of Christ - reaching the spiritual station to which they have been called IN Christ, (Eph. 1:23).
2. Where such unity is lacking, there is evidence of immaturity; nor can such a church adequately reflect the true glory of Christ to those around it. Instead, His image will be marred; His holy name scandalized!


6. Only when such maturity was reached, in the early church, would the special ministry-gifts be done away, (I Cor. 13:10).


2. PAUL MENTIONS THREE SPECIFIC, OBSERVABLE EVIDENCES OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY.


1. With maturity comes a DOCTRINAL STABILITY rooted in an experiential confidence in the unchanging faithfulness of God.
1. Paul is deeply concerned about the sly, cunning religious rascality that will stop at nothing in its effort to destroy Christian character, (Col. 2:8).
2. And the number of such perversive influences have greatly increased since his day.


2. Genuine spiritual maturity will enable one to PROCLAIM THE TRUTH with a loving, caring heart, (comp. I Jn. 4:16; 1:7).


3. By faithfully carrying out his appointed role, in the function of the body, one contributes toward that perfection of the whole wherein the "fulness of Christ" comes to be manifested through the corporate life of the local church.


3. MATURITY IS EVIDENT WHEN EVERY BODY-MEMBER FAITHFULLY PERFORMS ITS ASSIGNED FUNCTION UNDER THE CONSCIOUS, LOYAL CONTROL OF ITS LIVING HEAD.


1. All being fitted together in harmony.


2. All being sustained by His life, as it is supplied through joints and ligaments that are compacted, or knit together, (as in Col. 2:2, 19).


3. All being brought to maturity under His watchful care and direction.


4. All being strengthened and built up by mutual love.

        SUMMARY: In this lesson Paul has outlined, in a positive way, what the corporate life of a New Testament church must be if it is to witness effectively for Christ in this perishing world. Mankind is helplessly heading to eternal ruin. In the wisdom of God, the church has been left on earth as an instrument for salvation. But, only as she conforms to His order will her testimony be effective.

        A church that is faithfully, lovingly and loyally following the order that her Lord has commanded OUGHT to be characterized by a joyful, confident and courageous expectancy of His blessings upon her labors!

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW

1. Describe Paul's practical attitude toward the responsibility of those receiving divine revelation.
2. What does he feel to be required by the exalted position that is ours in Christ Jesus?
3. What particular grace does he yearn to see developed in the lives of the saints?
4. What must the saints be careful to maintain in the body?
5. What seven things does he mention that are designed to promote unity in the body? Explain the meaning of each.
6. According to what principle is sufficient provision made for the need of every church?
7. What are some of the gifts that the risen Lord has placed in the body?
8. What was the basic purpose of God in bestowing these gifts?
9. How may the many members of the body function harmoniously?
10. How may the testimony of a New Testament church be effective for the glory of God?
11. Is YOUR LIFE a help or a hindrance?