Paul is explaining to us what we all are supposed to do for Jesus, “He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the EQUIPPING (katartismos: provide what is needed) of the saints for the work of ministry, for the EDIFYING (oikodomē: building up) of the body of Christ…” (Eph. 4:11-12) The Body of Christ must be BUILT UP so Jesus is going to give us exactly what we need to do just that.
What will it’s purpose be? “…till we all come to the UNITY OF THE FAITH and of the KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD, to a PERFECT (teleios: wanting nothing necessary to completeness) MAN, to the measure of the stature of the FULLNESS OF CHRIST…” (Eph. 4:13) The purpose of the Body of Christ is to teach and do WHAT EVER IS NEEDED so the saints will be JUST LIKE JESUS!
Just what will this accomplish? “that we should no longer BE CHILDREN, tossed to and fro and carried about with EVERY WIND OF DOCTRINE, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may GROW UP in all things into Him WHO IS THE HEAD—CHRIST—” (Eph. 4:14-15)
Jesus explains how we can prevent being “BLOWN ABOUT with every wind of doctrine” “…whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and DOES THEM, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and IT DID NOT FALL, for it was founded on the rock. “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and DOES NOT DO THEM, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the WINDS BLEW and beat on that house; and it fell. And GREAT WAS ITS FALL.” (Matt. 7:24-27)
-Bill Stockham