“The Just Shall Live By Faith”
New King James Version Written by: David Hicks
Romans 1:17 “ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."
Galatians 3:11 “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."
Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him."
“Articles of Faith”
The Church of Christ
(A Study in Ephesians)
Lesson 13 - Tools of Unity:
Beginning in this chapter and continuing through the remainder of the epistle, Paul is exhorting these Christians to walk in a manner worthy of their calling. Remember that the concept of a walk is a motif for a person's life (with the image of walking suggesting continuing progress in time and a chosen direction).
Having described (in chapter two) earlier how Jesus attained unity between Jew and Gentile through His death, Paul's first plea is that they walk in unity . This walk was built primarily on a list of graces necessary in all the members of a cohesive body, in order to achieve unity. Finally these brethren are encouraged to attain to the unity of the Spirit. This unity is comprised of the facts of unity as described in the word. These facts of unity are the only true product of God's word through Christ Jesus.
This brings us to this lesson's focus, ‘the tools of unity'. Paul is going to remind them of the precious gifts that Christ gave His church following His ascension to heaven. We must remember that these gifts were given to bring the church of Christ to maturity.
Text: Ephesians 4:7-11
“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore He says:
"When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men."
9 (Now this, "He ascended"--what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) 11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,”
• The Measure of Christ's gift.
In verses 7-10 , Paul is dealing with spiritual gifts that Christ caused to be given to disciples in the first years of the early church. Paul refers to them as grace, and in light of the need to be edified to proper Christian living; they were truly an un-merited gift. Paul notes that these gifts were given according to the measure of Christ. Before we talk about what exactly these gifts were and how long they would last, we want to discuss their distribution. For this, we want to go to the book of Acts . Luke who was a traveling partner and close friend to the Apostle Paul was the author of this book of the history of the beginning and growth of the church. He wrote this book at the conclusion of the events that are contained within the book itself (Approx. 62-63 AD. It was written from Rome, according to the pronouns used we know that Luke was in Rome with Paul as he dwelt in his own rented house for two years; Acts 28:16, 30-31 ). Much of what Luke records in the history and growth of the church acts as a commentary for explaining much of what transpires within the churches.
In Acts 8: 4-25 , Luke records the exploits of Phillip, who went to Samaria and preached the gospel to its citizens. He confirmed the words he preached with many signs. Many believed and were baptized including a local magician. For our understanding pertaining to our lesson the key verses are verses 14-15 . Here we learn that Peter and John, who were Apostles of Jesus Christ, heard that Samaria had received the word. They then traveled there and prayed that these new Christians might receive the Holy Spirit .
The chief purpose of the two Apostles coming was to impart the Holy Spirit ( Vs.18 ). If Philip could have done this it would not have been necessary or if the Spirit just came to whom-ever, this again would not have been necessary. The gifts of the Spirit of God only came at the hands of the Apostles of Jesus Christ and could not be passed on by the recipients ( Vs.19 ). Additionally, there is a second example of this very same thing in Acts 19:1-7 , and the exact same thing transpires. Only the Apostles could distribute the gifts. In addition from this text ( Acts 8 ), we learn that not every single Christian received a measure of the gift. The magician tried to bribe the Apostles to bestow a measure of the gift to him (even though he wanted their measure), as he had not received any gift. Instead of giving him a measure of the Spirit, they demanded that he repent from such worldly lusts in association with the work of the Spirit and never bestowed any measure to him.
Summary: Only the Apostles could bestow a measure of the Holy Spirit and not every Christian received a measure. However, every Christian would benefit from the use of the gifts by whoever had them , thus every Christian would have an essence of the Spirit through these gifts in edification, exhortation, and comfort, as we will see as we talk about their use.
Next, let's look at just what exactly these gifts were. For this we want to look at Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. In this portion of Paul's letter, Paul has to set things back in order, as these Christians had not been using these Spiritual gifts correctly, note: 1 Corinthians 12:1 “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:” This statement would set up this and the next two chapters. However, it is in verses 8-11 that we learn just what the gifts are, note:
1 Corinthians 12:8-11 “for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles , to another prophecy , to another discerning of spirits , to another different kinds of tongues , to another the interpretation of tongues . 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”
In this we learn two things. First, that there are nine Spiritual gifts given through the Spirit; second, that no one individual was given all the gifts, but only one was imparted to an individual.
Continued Summary: We now know that only the Apostle could bestow the gifts and not everyone received a gift. We now know that there were nine gifts and no one individual had them all.
Next we want to look at the length of their use. In the next chapter of this letter (which is often referred to as the chapter of love) we actually have a continuation of Paul's teaching concerning Spiritual gifts. First Paul notes that there is a gift that every Christian can own and that it acts as a catalyst for the nine Spiritual gifts and that is love (note the comparisons in verses 1-2 between love and the five gifts mentioned). Second, Paul would date the length that the Spiritual gifts would be used, note: 1 Corinthians 13:8-13
“Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail ; whether there are tongues, they will cease ; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away . 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come , then that which is in part will be done away . 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
Paul denotes that Spiritual gifts are only temporary! He notes that, “when that which is perfect is to come, then that which is in part will be done away” . Consider that the church was born into the world before the written word was bestowed, how would a Christian know that which was expected of them? Gifts! So, once the written word was bestowed to the world and made known the entire mind of Christ to Christians, these Spiritual gifts that carried them to this next advanced stage, would be done away with (from a child to an adult). Note the illustrations Paul uses concerning this time that the gifts are leading men in righteousness (in part, like children, un-clear vision). Some of these illustrations will re-appear in our text (Ephesians), and will have the same application.
Continued Summary: Only the Apostles could bestow gifts. Not everyone received a gift. There were nine gifts. No one individual had all nine gifts. They existed in a time of the church prior to the written word. When the written word came into existence for all Christians, the gifts would cease.
Next and finally, we want to look at the use of the gifts. This brings us to the final chapter of I Corinthians dealing with Spiritual gifts, Chapter 14 . This chapter deals with the proper use of the gifts as opposed to the incorrect use by the Corinthians. There are three important words in this chapter to note as you read; edification, exhortation, and comfort. If the gifts could not be used to promote one of these three or all three, they were not to be used at all !!!!!!!!!
Continued Summary: Only the Apostles could bestow gifts. Not everyone received a gift but all benefited from those who did. There were nine gifts. No one individual had all nine gifts. They existed in a time of the church prior to the written word. When the written word came into existence for all Christians, the gifts would cease. They were only to be used to edify, exhort, and comfort Christians for proper Christians living.
This concludes our look into Spiritual gifts. You can continue to examine in detail the writings of Paul in I Corinthians 12-14 , to enhance your understanding. I believe that for the sake of our study, this will adequately cover this subject as well as help us understand some of the illustrations Paul will use further down in our text. However, because of the length of this portion of our study we will resume our study of the tools of unity in the next lesson.
Keep in mind that even though Paul is writing to these Christians that which would become part of the perfect law of liberty (the inspired written word), these and all Christians of this date are still primarily guided by Spiritual gifts. We can also note that within the study of gifts in I Corinthians , we can note that since these gifts were given to men (the weak vessels that we are) many imperfections in their use existed. Thus Paul had to write to these Corinthian Christians to correct that which was in error. In this we learn that the written word is perfect in its training and establishment of that which Christ has established as right and true. This teaches us that without any doubt, the authority for the church and its members lies within the written word and its guidance, AMEN!
Next: “ Tools of Unity – Continued ”