This series is written by Nathan Paugh, copyright protected.

Local Church building built by Independent Baptists (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Over the next several posts, which you can find links to below, we will be focusing on a topic that the Apostle Paul devoted a large portion of his writings to, the centrality of the local church.  By way of introduction, these post will primarily be based upon the text and principles found within the book of Ephesians.  This book, like most of Paul’s general epistles, spends approximately half of the book on doctrine and the second half on the practical application of those doctrines that have been listed.  In this study we will pick up with Paul’s writing in Ephesians 4 where he begins to hash out the practical aspects of the first three chapters.

INTRODUCTION

The Apostle Paul had a tremendous focus on establishing a sound foundation and then building from it in the establishment of local churches.  In the book of Acts it becomes apparent that God’s chosen instrument, in this age, for accomplishing His purpose is the local church (Acts 2:41-47).  Therefore it is imperative for believers in 2012 to cultivate the focus of ministry through what God has already established and preserved for all these years.  In an attempt to exhort those at Ephesus to be mindful of the diversity of talents that God had placed in this local body the penmanship of the Apostle Paul can be examined in Ephesians 4. In this chapter, Paul turns the corner from doctrine to practical application.  This is extremely common for Paul in his epistles.  In verses seven through sixteen it becomes apparent that God has bestowed one or more spiritual gifts upon every believer.  These gifts are the power and the source of the Christian unity and our Christian living.  It is all inclusive.  As Paul begins this passage with, “But unto every one of us”, it is displayed that every believer is given this measure of grace. ¹

Posts within this series:

• Leadership: The Essential Component for Growth
• The Means of Growth
• The Goal of Growth
• The Medium of Growth
• Concluding Thoughts

References:

¹Ephesians 4:7 (KJV)

©2013 Mark Davis