APEST Ephesians 4:7-16

APEST

The unity and maturity of the church - what God designed it to be - depends on the exercise of these gifts.

Grace (v. 7)

Gift freely given for the benefit of all.

All are gifted to serve the church and its mission according to Christ’s gifting.

The equipping is to serve others.

The Origin of the APEST Gifts

Psalm 68:18 NIV

When you ascended on high, you took many captives; you received gifts from people, even from the rebellious— that you, Lord God, might dwell there.

Christ the Victor

The victor was showered with gifts.

Here: Christ won the victory and the spoils, gifts went to those allied with him.

Descend/Ascend (v.8-10)

Not Hades (although a popular view). Why: That is not the point of this text: the giftedness of believers.

Descend/Ascend: the impact of Jesus’ work fils the cosmos. He fills all things; his authority extends over all creation.

It is Christ’s will and purpose for everything to be pervaded with his presence. He descended and ascended that he might fill all things. Everything is subject to him, there is no place where his presence may not be known and felt.

Jesus has the authority over salvation to distribute the gifts of salvation and the power to make that distribution more effective than anything that stands in opposition to him.

Result: an effective presence and filling in the church.

The gifts he gives us is to show himself at work.

Purpose of the Gifts:

Equip the Saints (13-15)

Equip saints. katartismos is not found anywhere else in the NT.

The verb form is used in reference to repairing something (Matt 4:21), setting a bone

of God bringing the universe in the beginning into its intended shape and order (Heb 11:3) Put things in order.

and of restoring to spiritual health a person who has fallen (Gal 6:1).

It may be used also of perfecting what is lacking in the faith of Christians (1 Thess 3:10).

The bringing of the saints to a condition of fitness for the discharge of their functions in the body.

For the Purpose of

The church is equipped or brought to this condition for the purpose of being fitted for the work of ministry. EVERY BELIEVER HAS A WORK OF MINISTRY, A SPIRITUAL TASK AND FUNCTION IN , for and through THE BODY.

What is done for the saints and by the saints is for building up the body of Christ. oikodome. The church is increased and built up as each member uses his or her gifts giving service to and through the church and king Jesus.

The Gifts are Catalytic People (11)

God makes the church work by giving gifted people to it to equip the rest of the body for serving Christ’s mission.

This list of gifts are people who guide the church as a catalyst to its growth and maturity by helping others exercise their own respective missions/ministries.

We can appoint people to different work and functions but unless they have the spiritual gifting, their appointment is valueless.

Apostles

The 12 and beyond.

Messengers

Plant the gospel and churches are birthed.

Prophets

Provide guidance and exhortation

Evangelists

Only referenced 2x in NT.

Traveling preaching under the apostles. Rank and file missionaries of the church.

Communicating the gospel in the world, to the world, for the world.

Pastors/Teachers

One definite article.

Lead the body to nourishment, protect them from immaturity.

If you teach, you are shepherding, In shepherding, you must teach.

Guide the church to nourishment and protect them from harm.

The Outcome: Unity and Maturity (14)

Immaturity is characterize by instability in the face of pressure.

Equipping moves the community from immaturity toward unity and maturity of the faith (allegiance) so that we reflect Christ’s presence and character, so that we have the capacity to emulate what we have learned by way of discipleship, formation.

Unity : Joined together

Joint, fastening as in building construction or for the shoulder-joint of the body.

Bringing things or people together

Reconciling those who have argued.

Joining together is made possible through the exercise of the gifts among the members by the direction of the head.

It is through every joint with which the body is equipped that growth and true functioning are possible.

Maturity

Maturity is the result of allegiance to Jesus. Knowing him means living the truth in love and the way of life that mirrors his character. Truthing: Truth lived in the context o of love drawing on the spirit allows the church to mature. NOT JUST IDEAS not just speaking it. Doing it.

Understanding: knowing what to and living authentically.

It is the acts of allegiance of the body (teaching them to obey…)

Wrap up

Ministry/mission was not designed for “others” to do.

The community is maturing when it is serving.

Gods gifts for equipping the body to serve are people.

Hold the truth in such a way that it is beneficial to others and do so in a winsome way that only love can make possible.

Then they will grow in stability and maturity into Christ, where life’s development is found more in him and every part of life finds its center and purpose in relation to and union with him.

The members must not seek their own growth but rather the growth of the body (bodily growth). The body grows, the parts grow. It is not size that is in view here but spiritual growth. The growth is above all in love. Love determines that each member will seek the upbuilding of all.