The Measure of the Church

The Measure of the Church. Ephesians 4:13 God is blessed when He sees His children making the transition from babyhood into adulthood in a spiritual sense. God wants us to move from the spiritual nursery to the spiritual battlefield. The gift of an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher. EVERY BELIEVER'S GIFT HAS A THREEFOLD MEASURE PURPOSE. The five gifts described above are gifts that involve speech or proclamation. They are very specialized gifts, gifts that are usually looked upon as being the official or professional gifts of the church. They are not given in full measure to every believer. There is an immediate purpose for the professional or office-bearing gifts in the church and among God's people. It is to equip believers to do the work of the ministry. The very purpose for equipping laymen is so that the body of Christ, the church, may be built up. There is an eternal purpose for the office-bearing or professional gifts. The servant of God works to bring about a perfect unity among God's people. The servant of God works to bring about the knowledge of the Son of God. The servant of God works to bring about a perfect man, a man who measures up to the stature of Christ Himself, to the fullness of His stature. There is the personal purpose for the professional or office-bearing gifts. That we no longer be children and immature, being led astray by false teaching. That we grow up in all things ,in Christ by speaking and proclaiming the truth. That we do our part in building up the church.