Unity in Diversity (Ephesians 4:1-16): Three

IV. Every One of Us is Given Gift of Christ: Unity in Diversity
         Just as diversity was not mean to be division, so unity is not conformity. Unity is not achieved by being alike. Unity is achieved by having the same spirit, purpose to glorify God and to edify others.  Modern knowledge of cell life in the human body greatly strengthens the force of Paul’s metaphor. This is the way the body grows by cooperation under the control of the head and all “in love.”
         Paul tells the unity has been provided by the Spirit, but they must be diligent in preserving that unity. Unity, however, does not mean sameness. Believers are different. Each one has received spiritual gifts to help others mature in Christ. This interdependency
strengthens the unity of the church. The following are analyzing on Paul’s original message, verse 7 to 10
    Verse 7: either by grace he means gifts which are not common to all believers, but proper to some, according to their various functions and places in the church.
Or rather, more generally, it comprehends also those graces which are common to all believers as such, faith, hope, love, etc. which though they are of the same kind in all, and have the same object. Christ gives to some one gift, to some another; to some one degree of grace, to some another: all have not the same, but need the help of those that have what they want. Through this verse we can understand that no one is perfect except Christ, and we still need each so that we may grow.
Verse.8: Christ ascended up on high after His death, both as to place, in human nature, into heaven; and chiefly as to His state, in His being glorified. Christ did when, having conquered sin, death, satan, He triumphed gloriously over them in His ascension. Christ upon His ascension sent the Holy Ghost on the disciples and continues ever since to furnish His church with gifts and graces.  
Verse.9: Paul wants us to know how Christ fulfills His mission on earth. This verse shows us Christ’s humiliation, in opposition to his ascending taken for the whole of His exaltation. 
Verse.10: Christ descended without change of place as being God, but ascended by changing place as man. He wants all the members of His body, with gifts and graces. This began to be fulfilled, Act.2 and still will be fulfilling to the end of the world. 
         God simply doesn’t require unity without providing the means to achieve it. That is why He gave gifts. In verse11 Paul mentions the essential gifts for the church. They are

(A). Apostle: Apostle means extraordinary officer, with an immediate call, universal commission, appointed for the first founding the Christian church in all parts of the world.

(B). Prophet: Prophet is someone who is moved by the Spirit of God and who solemnly declares to men what he has received from God by inspiration.
Evangelist: someone who is a bringer of good tidings, it is a name given to the New Testament heralds of salvation through Christ who are not apostles. They led people to Christ.
Sometime they assist in planting churches in the several places where they traveled.

(C). Pastor and Teacher: Pastor and teacher, implies that they are shared by the same person. The pastor/Teacher is the gifting for one man. Normally, a pastor also can be a good teacher but a teacher usually is not a good Pastor. The Pastor comes along side to guide, protect, help, and teach the sheep so that they might grow in the grace of God and come to unity in the faith. Teachers are teaching doctrine and correct people in error. If we look the policy and structure of governments offices we can understand the reason why we need to have all this different gifts.

Jesus Loves You.

God Bless You!
tamkitam

Unity in Diversity (Ephesians 4:1-16):Two

III.    The Concept of Oneness (4-6)
         Almost all of the commentaries accepted that Unity is experience. Unity is a very beautiful word and it’s really necessity in the body but it cost a lot. Form verse 4 to 6 Paul has given us most important areas of unity in the body of Christ. If we understand the structure of the Military unit it will help us to understand this concept, and yet we are also the soldier of Christ. In the Military unit, it has one leader, it work as a unit, it moves in one direction, it receives its orders and obeys them. All those in it work well together because they have been trained to do so. Sometimes individual members of the group don’t like what they are called to do, but they do it anyway for the greater good. Therefore, they are able to accomplish a great deal because they act as one. Thus, Jesus say, “and the glory which thou has given me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as we are one,” (Joh.17:22).
         Here, Paul mentions seven points of oneness. The following points will helps us to understand how we are related to each others.  
 
(A). One Body: All believers are the body; the head is Christ He Himself. 1Cor.12:12, “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.” For it is the body nature, the integral parts, or members of it, are many, yet the body is but one; so it is in the spiritual body, the Church, which is that mystical body of which Christ is the Head. The member of the church may be many, and there may be in several members of the church a diversity of gifts, of administrations, and operations, yet the church is but one.  
 
(B). One Spirit: the self-same Spirit of Christ in that body by which all the members live and act. On the other hand, there are many gift but one spirit 1Cor.12:8-13.
 
(C). One Hope: There are many gifts and different function in the body but we have only one Hope: the blessed hope, the coming of Christ or one inheritance in heaven. Inheritance means not as wages to hirelings, but as an inheritance to children born of God, and adopted to Him. This also means that glorious future to which we are all called.
 
(D). One Lord: Jesus already warns us not to serve two masters. Christ is the lord, Head, and Husband of the Church, to whom we all belong. When Christ becomes lord of our life we must subject to His lordship. When Paul talk about Lordship he refer to the one and true lord, Jesus.
 
(E). One Faith: This point is very difficult to verify what Paul wants us to admire.. According to records in this present time we have over 37000 denominations in the whole world. Possibly, Paul wants to keep us the work of Christ in Calvary, the gospel of Christ. Paul also claims that he knows in whom he believed, that is Christ the redeemer of the world. We also can understand through his life-long preaching, that is one act of trust in Christ, the same for all (Jew or Gentile), one way of being saved. 
 
(F). One Baptism: There is one act of baptism for all (Jews and Gentiles) who confess that Christ is lord. In this state, I have some arguments on the practices of some Churches’ baptism. Now days there are several ways to be baptized, something like Immersion, Sprinkling, Pouring, baptized infants and children etc. Out of Immersion, the rest are started by Church father. Because of introducing new ways of baptism during middle age of church history we can see so many divisions among churches. Personally I strongly believed Immersion is the right way to be baptized, because Jesus, John, Apostles and our author Paul also used immersion.
                                                                 

(G). One God: God is our father who keeps us for eternity. God is here taken personally for the Father, the other two Persons being before mentioned. Ver.4,5. And Father of all; of all believers. Who is a above all; not only in the excellencies of His nature, but especially in His sovereign dominion over the church. And through all; by His special providence, through all the members of the church. And in you all; by inhabitation, and the conjunction of believers with Him. Though the former two may be applied to God’s universal dominion and providence over all the creatures. Everything is for His sake alone. They are of Him, without any other motive. All are live under His care, under His shadow, in His presence, and by His gifts of grace. Not a separate God for each nation or religion. One God for all men.
Thus, no one is greater than another one, God alone is worthy of honor and praise.  

Jesus Loves You.

God Bless You!
tamkitam

Unity in Diversity (Ephesians 4:1-16): One

I.    Introduction
         Ephesians 4:1-16, is one of the most weighty and serious exhortations that Paul wrote to the Ephesians believers as well as today’s believers. Among many issues that we as Christians need to work on, disunity is one of the most prevalent problems. Our propensity for division is nature to our sinful natures and this is why God inspired Paul to tell us to live a manner worthy of the calling which we have received. Too often believers are separated because of minor differences in personalities and doctrine. But Paul shows those areas where Christians must agree to attain true unity. When believers have this unity of spirit, petty differences should never be allowed to dissolve that unity.

II.    Walk a manner worthy of the calling you have received (1-3)
         Where is you were calling? There are many examples around us of what it means to live in a manner worthy of calling. A Policeman, when he works, is supposed to be an example of the law. He lives worthy of his profession. He doesn’t steal and he doesn’t cheat but he defends and upholds the law. A doctor also is supported to live worthy of his profession. He heals the sick. He cares of those who are ill and seeks to make them well. A farmer is the best example; he tills the soil and produces food for thousands. He is called to this task and is gifted to accomplish it. 
         As a Christian, there are marks of what it means to live a life worthy of the calling. Within verses one to three we can see several fruit of the Holy Spirit; humility, gentleness, patience, love and peace. All for a purpose, unity in the body of Christ. Therefore, in order to occur in the body of Christ, we Christians need to exhibit humility, gentleness, patience, endurance, love and peace.   

       
           Here is some explanation of what Paul want us to know.
(A). Humility: with all lowliness, or submissiveness of mind, whereby we esteem others better than ourselves.
(B) Gentleness: Meekness; whereby we are not easily provoked, or offended with the infirmities of others: this is opposed to peevishness, as the former to pride.
       (C) Patience: Long-suffering; whereby we bear with greater or repeated injuries.
       (D) Forbearance to one another: It means supporting, bearing with the infirmities, forwardness, or moroseness of others, so as not to cease to love them, and do them good.
      (E) In love: not out of any carnal affection, or for our own advantage, but of love, this is wont to make men patient and long-suffering.
      (F) The Unity of the Spirit: Either unity of mind, or spiritual unity, as being wrought by the spirit, and then he means that unity he spoke of and whereby is intended that mystical body of Christ.
     (G) In the Bond of Peace: In peace as the bond which keeps the members or parts of the church together, which by dissensions are dissipated and scattered.
         The first step to this unity is humility, for where that is not; there will be no meekness or forbearance, without which unity cannot be maintained.  

Jesus Loves You.
God Bless You!

A BRIEF GUIDE TO RESEARCH PAPERS: Part Three

E.PUNCTUATION
The spacing required after punctuation marks is one space after period (full stop), comma, colon, or semicolon. For pages of books, there is no space after a colon, for e.g., 5:66. For pages of journals, there is a space after the colon, for e.g., (1998): 66.



F.QUOTATION
1.The use of quotation marks must be consistent. If single quotation marks are used as the ‘first level’, the ‘second level’ should be double quotation marks, and vice versa (e.g. ‘the “baby-step” development’ or “the ‘baby-step’ development”).

2.Short quotations (one sentence or less) are easily worked into the paragraph. Longer quotations (usually two sentences on eight lines or more) are typed as a separate paragraph as “block quotations,” without opening and close quotation marks. This paragraph must be indented from the left and right edges of the main text by half an inch.

3.The punctuation marks within the quotation marks must be from the materials quoted. Otherwise, put them outside the quotation marks (e.g., He loves repeating ‘the quick brown fox is spinning round and round’, but he hates…).

G.ILLUSTRATIONS AND TABLES
1.These texts are to be placed within the body of the text and as close as possible to the place in the text where they are first mentioned.

2.These are to be numbered with Arabic numerals and in a manner which does not cause confusion.

H.FOOTNOTES
1.The texts of the footnotes are to be in the same font and one-point size smaller as that of the main and single-spaced.

2.The footnote number should be in superscript and the numbers follow one another in numerical sequence throughout the paper.

3.Footnotes are place below a short rule, or separator. A footnote must begin on the page where it is referenced though a long note many extend to the bottom of the next page.


I.BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERANCES
1.When the full details of bibliographical reference are to be given, the style as set out by Kate Turabian is to be used (see K.L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Paper, Theses and Dissertations, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 6th edition revised by J. Grossman and A. Bennett, 1996).
For the convenience of the student, the most common forms he/she will most probably use in the footnotes are given below:
a.S. S. Smalley, Thunder and Love: John’s Revelation and John’s Community (Milton Keynes: Word, 1995), 55.
b.When a bibliographical item is referred to for the first time, a full citation is required in the footnotes (e.g., S. S. Smalley: Thunder and Love: John’s Revelation and John’s Community (Milton Keynes: Word, 1995), 55.) Subsequent references to such works should use the short title system (e.g., Smalley, Thunder, 99; or Ibid., 99)

2.The entries in the bibliography, at the end of the paper, must be arranged in alphabetical order. This means that the author’s name (or the editor’s, when appropriate) should be written first and not his/her first names or initials. Note the following examples:
a.Bruce, F. F “The Book of Zechariah and the Passion Narrative.” BJRL 43 (1960-1), 336-53.
b.White, V. The Fall of a Sparrow: A Concept of Special Divine Action. Exeter: Paternoster, 1985.
Footnotes: In the text the note reference follows the passage to which it refers and it marked with an Arabic numeral typed slightly above the line (superscript). Note are arranged numerically at the foot (Footnotes) of the page of the essay, article, or book. Notes include complete bibliographic information when cited for the first time.
Bibliography: Lists sources which are cited and consulted in writing the paper. Entries are arranged alphabetically by author’s surname and include complete bibliographic information. A minimum of 5 bibliographies are required for the undergrad level and 10 for the master’s level.

Jesus Loves You
Jesus Can Save You
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A BRIEF GUIDE TO RESEARCH PAPERS: Part Two

C.NUMBERATION
1.The pages are to be numbered consecutively, starting from the title page to the last page of the bibliography. There are two categories of pagination: for title and table of content pages, number with consecutive lowercase Roman numerals (e.g. i, ii), centered at the bottom of the page. For the rest of the paper, number with Arabic numerals centered at the bottom of pages that bears or section headings; and centered at the top (or place in the upper right hand corner) of all other pages of the text.

2.Footnotes are to be numbered serially throughout the paper.

3.Whole numbers up to 100 should be in words (e.g. four gospels, twenty-four elders, but 144,000). Use words and not numbers to start a sentence.


D.SPELLING AND OTHER CONVENTIONS
1.Although both British and American systems of spelling are accepted, the paper must adhere to one system consistently.

2.When alternative spellings are accepted within a system (such as the British), follow one form consistently (e.g. ‘organise’ and theorise,’ and not, ‘organize and theories’).

3.Foreign words are to be in italics unless they have been naturalized in the English language (e.g. ‘felix culpa’ but ‘rendezvous.'

4.A block is strongly away from the use of periods (full stop), especially in uppercase abbreviations. Contractions of biblical books should be done unambiguously and consistently, and no period is required (e.g. Gen, Exod.).

5.A block of verses counts as a single unit unless the individual verses within this block are explicitly referred to (e.g. ‘Gen 1:27-8 tells us …but vv.30 and 31 seem to contradict…’).

6.The titles of sacred scriptures- Bible, Qur’an (Koran), Talmud, Upanishads, Vedas, and the like-and the names of books of the Bible and of the Apocrypha are neither italicized nor put in quotation marks. For e.g., The book of Daniel is a part of the apocalyptic literature of the Bible.

7.In a biblical or theological paper, the Bible references are commonly placed in parentheses directly in the text. In English it has been accepted practice that no version is indicated when one uses the King James Version (KJV). Any version other than the KJV must be indicated. This is usually done in a footnote.

Jesus Loves You
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A BRIEF GUIDE TO RESEARCH PAPERS: Part One

A.TYPESCRIPT
1.The Research Paper must be type-written in English (except when sources in a different language are being cited or discussed, or the occasional use of Latin, French or German) on white A4 size paper. The print must be clear and sharp and must be in black. Only one side of the sheet is to be used.

2.The text (including that of the footnotes) should have a font size of either 11 or 12 points. The typeface chosen should be either Times New Roman or Arial except, when foreign languages (e.g., Greek, Hebrew) are being used.

3.Number of words for Research Papers
-Undergraduate level (Certificate, Diploma, Bachelor)- 2000 to 2500 words (excluding appendices, bibliography)
-Graduate level- 2500 to 3000 words (excluding appendices, bibliography)
-Exegetical paper (Graduate level)- 3000 to 5000 inclusive of footnotes; or between 2500 to 3000 excluding footnotes.

4.The headings, sub-headings, wording in caption and footnotes should be of the same size as the font used in the text. A consistent hierarchy of heading is required.

5.The text should be double-spaced throughout except for the following, where single-space may be used:
a.Title page;
b.Captions for tables or diagrams;
c.Text of footnotes; and
d.Bibliography.

6.The right edge of the text should be justified for both the main text and the footnotes.

7.The margins to be used are one inch for the top, bottom, left and right margins.

8.The first line of each paragraph is to be indented.

B.ORGANIZATION
a.Title page;
b.Table of contents;
c.Body of paper;
d.Appendices or annexes; and
e.Bibliography

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What is the Kingdom of God?

I believe the kingdom of God is representing the glory of God. The kingdom of God is eternal. The kingdom of humans (kings) may not last for eternal for the reason that humans (kings) are mortal. According to the book of Revelation, the Kingdom of God will still stand beyond the end of the earth.

First, Jesus Christ is the king of His kingdom. The kingdom means the sovereign, righteous rule of Christ both in the present and future. According to the bible, Jesus will rule His kingdom with power, judgment, mercy, love and righteousness. The first step to become citizen in the kingdom of God is to believe Jesus as personal lord and savior. Jesus Christ is the gateway between the kingdom of the world and the kingdom of God. The lordship of Christ in one’s life is essential in the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God will not ruined by one’s rejection of Jesus’ Kingship over one’s life.

Second, the objective of the kingdom is intended for believers. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus put the kingdom of God above all the priorities. Therefore, Jesus’ lordship required placing the kingdom of God above all. Jesus and His kingdom demand faithfulness from the believers for the glory of God the Father. In the kingdom of God we could not serve two masters. To sum up, I can say that the kingdom of God is neither the church nor believers rather the church and the believers are in the kingdom and for the kingdom of God.

Third, one to emergent into the kingdom of God is to fulfilling the will of God in his or her life (Matthew 6:10). Jesus said His kingdom is not of this world. In the kingdom Jesus is the king and the fulfillment of God the Father’s will is above all the priorities.

Jesus Loves You
Jesus Can Save You
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Speaking the Truth in Love

The truth about sin and God’s punishment of sin in hell is a critical topic in building relationship with both Christian and non-Christian. The topic itself is giving a negative perspective of life and sounding narrow view of a person who talks about it. In this postmodern world, where people does not believe in sin but in relativism; it is almost impossible to bring up topic like sin and punishment in hell.

The first principle to show our sensitivity about the truth is to live according to the truth. In my humble criticism, the reason of replacing bible truth with human truth is because of fear to live with bible truth. Another reason of down grading to human truth from bible truth is because the expectations of bible truth are too high for immoral world. Therefore, to be sensitively communicate with bible truth to Christians and non-Christians is to live according to it; action speaks louder than words. Christians are called to be the light and the salt of the world (Matthew 5:13-16); we must have light to shine forth.

The second principle will be caring approach. The social issues of the presence day reflect the needs of care in people’s life. The idea of independent and liberation from being under controlled bring selfishness into human society. Since, sin is all about self, people need someone to satisfy one of their needs. There are too many needs of a person but caring from one else is a greater need. Although the people of the world closed their heart and mind to bible truth, there is one door always open to communicate with them which is caring. In effective communication it is more valuable to show how much we care for them rather than how much we know. Showing how much we know is to satisfy ourselves and showing how much we care is to satisfy the people whom we communicate with.

Finally, in Ephesians 4:15, Paul encouraged believers to speak the truth in Love. The problem of communicator of the truth is their lack of Love in their presentation of the truth. Since, presenting the truth is like fighting battle and battler look forward for victory over the opponent, it is a challenge for bible believers to present the truth in love.

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Jesus Can Save You
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Belief Vs Dedication

Primarily and fundamentally, there is always a link between what one believes and one’s missionary motivation. Therefore, in many cases the fruit of the mission is rooted in what missionary belief because people do what they believe is right. Furthermore, one’s mission strategy, vision and value statements were fashioned by one’s believe as well.

In recent years, ‘what in people believe’ becomes equally important as ‘how people
believe in.’ The impacts of ‘how people believe in’ mission become the currant of the mission stream’s flowing. For instant, believing in hell and repentance of sinner played major role in pre-Revolutionary Great Awakening. Nevertheless, the raise of multiculturalism, pluralism, inclusivism and exclusivism pushed away Christians’ belief on repentance of sinner. The influence of so-called modern and post modern world view lead many Christian to dilute troubling biblical doctrines on lostness and hell.

In postmodern Christian world there are changes in terms of missionary focus base on negative and positive aspects of faith. Those who believe in negative aspect of faith will likely to present about hell and Saviour when the positive group focusing on temporal benefits of knowing Christ.

For my conclusion, the trends of mission focus, the presentation of the truth were
basically comes from what people belief. The belief system operates acting system. Since the bible encourage believers to live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Hebrews 10:31), faith become essence of Christian life. Therefore, ‘How we believe in God’ is powerfully interrelated to our missionary motivation. If a pastor does not believe in mission but in discipleship than his church will likely to run lots of discipleship programs without doing mission. Therefore, what one believes and one’s missionary motivation is not just a link but they are strappingly interlinking. Nevertheless, it will be effective only when a person has clear knowledge of what he believes and making total dedication to the conviction that he has.