Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

"Unity" in Eph 4:13 carries forward the ideal in Eph 4:1-6 -- The unity (4:1-6): Paul appeals for Christian unity based on 7 wonderful scriptural facts. 

1. There is one body (4:1-4a): Christ's body. 
2. There is one Spirit (4:4b): The Holy Spirit. 
3. There is one hope (4:4c): Eternal life. 
4. There is one Lord (4:5a): The triune God. 
5. There is one faith (4:5b): The Christian faith. 
6. There is one baptism (4:5c): The baptism of the Spirit into Christ's body.
7. There is one God and Father (4:6): The heavenly Father.

"In the faith"--NIV-- (not "of the faith" as in the ESV) means the Christian common conviction about Christ and the teachings about Him, as the succeeding words of Eph 4:13 clarify. See also "the apostles' teaching" in Acts 2:42.

November 14 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I would say that, as Paul's words indicate by using the future tense, the unity of which he speaks is not a present condition. Even at the early time in which Paul wrote, there were apparently already divisions within the church, which prevented its members from being in complete agreement on all matters of the faith, and which have subsequently only grown over time to the multitude of denominations existing today.

However, these conflicts were (and still are) not God's plan for the church, but reflect the result of the church being composed of individuals who (although they have been reconciled to God through faith in Christ) are still fallible beings living in a fallen world.

In eternity, however, those distinctions will no longer apply or be present, since the process of Christians becoming ever more Christlike through the aid of the indwelling Holy Spirit will have been brought to completion, and the redeemed will be in complete agreement, in fulfillment of Jesus' high priestly prayer in which He prayed to the Father that His followers might be one in the Father and the Son, just as He and the Father were one (John 17:21).

November 14 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Idorenyin Etuk Supporter

The Ministry gifts were given for edification of the Church, to build every member of Christ till we all come to believe alike about Christ, know Him in the same depth, reach maturity and are able to use our gifts in Him to serve one another and indeed humanity with the gospel. The gifts of Christ will not stop working in us until this has been achieved. This means till the Lord returns.

January 15 2021 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Leslie Coutinho Supporter

Ephesians 4:13: 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 fullness of Christ.

The “unity of faith” that one needs to have today is through the baptism of repentance, having the Holy Spirit that leads you to hold your lowliness, meekness, longsuffering, and forbearing one another in love. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as a little child, shall then be converted to become as little children to enter the kingdom of heaven, for you shall then be sealed until the day of redemption. (Eph 4:2-5,30/Mat 18:3-4) The sealing of redemption that came to pass when Lord Jesus was crucified, yielded up the ghost, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from top to bottom, for the earth did quake, and rocks rent out. Which then led the graves to be opened, for many bodies of the saints (clean heart) which slept arose from the graves and went into the holy city and appeared unto many. For the centurion and those who were with him, the Roman officers and troops saw all that came to pass, for they feared greatly and said, “Truly this was the Son of God.” (Mat 27:51-54)

One having the unity of faith, being led by some apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, one needs to discern to be in humbleness to give praise to God the Father. Today, as we discern, for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure, nothing to be done through strife or vainglory. One then needs to have lowliness of mind, letting each esteem others better than themselves, for it is God the Father who worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. (Eph 4:11/Phil 2:3,13) The one who seeks the kingdom of God and His righteousness, all things shall be added unto you, which will then lead you to lay up for yourself treasures in heaven. One having the unity of faith shall have the knowledge of God the Father, who will then lead you to those who see the good works to be aware not to glorify you. They will then be led to glorify and give praise to God the Father in heaven, who has revealed unto you in the right Spirit of discernment. (Mat 6:19,33/Philp 2:3,12-15)

One having the knowledge of the Son of God, being a humble, perfect man walk not as others that walk in vanity of their minds, being alienated through the blindness of their hearts. (Eph 4:17-18) The enemy that sowed them is the devil, for at the time of harvest end of the age of the world, the angels shall come and cast them into the furnace of fire, who then shall be wailing and gnashing teeth. (Mat 13:42,49-50) Being humble as a little child despite not thee others around you today, for in heaven the angels do always behold the face of God the Father, which is in heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble themselves as a little child and receive one such little child is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Mat 18:4,10) Today, one being edified by the body of Christ, through His Spirit of wisdom, our Lord Jesus, you shall then be sealed unto the day of redemption. (Eph 4:12,30)

2 Corinthians 5:18: And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

1 day ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report