Bible Questions & Answers
If you have a specific question you would like to ask, send it to Dan Allen jd03325@gmail.com You must give your name and e-mail address.
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I will make every effort to answer your questions within 3 days.
Each answered question will include a Scripture reference for the question. I urge you to read all scriptures from your Bible accepting only what the Bible teaches.
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QUESTION: Please explain further Ephesians 4:7-14.
ANSWER: Note first of all (for ease of understanding) that verses 9 and 10 are
parenthetically expressed and are not germane to the issue at hand. Verse 7
states that Christ gives to every obedient person the gift of His grace according
to His measure. For example: Acts 2:38 teaches that those who are immersed for
(in order to attain) the remission of sins “shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
What did this mean to the people who lived then and what does this mean for
you and me today? Allow the Bible to explain! Acts 3:19 is a parallel passage to
Acts 2:38. They teach the same thing and explain each other! Peter is saying the
same thing to the Jews on Solomon’s porch as he was to the Jews on Pentecost,
i.e.; he preached the same sermon and extended the same invitation!
Acts 2:38: “Repent, and be baptized for the remission of sins, and ye shall
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 3:19: “Repent, and be converted that your sins may be blotted out, when
the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
The “gift of the Holy Spirit” or “the refreshing that comes from the presence of the
Lord” is the many blessings each Christian derives from the Holy Spirit according
to Christ’s measure. In the first century, the many blessings (times of refreshing)
from the Holy Spirit would have included miraculous gifts. Today, the many
blessings (times of refreshing) from the Holy Spirit do not include miraculous
gifts, because their purpose has ceased to exist. What blessings are derived
today? Many, not the least of which are forgiveness, mercy, grace, and the hope
of heaven!
Verse 8 of Ephesians says basically that when He ascended on high, having
overcome the captivity of death, He gave gifts unto men. The gifts could not have
been given unless He first returned to heaven from which he had come. Jesus so
said in John 16:7, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I
go away: for if I go not away, the comforter (Holy Ghost) will not come to you (the
apostles); but if I depart I will send Him to you.”
Verse 11 relates to whom the gifts were given (not how or how many), i.e.,
apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors (elders), and teachers. Verse 12 explains reasons for giving the gifts: Perfecting (maturing) of the saints
(Christians), for the work of the ministry (proclamation of the gospel in all the
world), and edifying the church.
Verse 13 limits the duration of the gifts: “Till,” an adverb of time, we all come to
the oneness (unity) of “the” faith; not simply “faith,” but to a unified system of faith
(the gospel) by which, and through which, we can have full knowledge of the Son
of God that will enable us to be complete/mature and walking in the image of
Christ! When this knowledge would become attainable through that which was,
and is, is able to make a person “perfect/mature (II Timothy 3:16-17), the gifts
would cease to be. The very same thing is taught in I Corinthians 13:8-10!
Verse 14 says that with our coming of age (no longer as children or the immature
– I Corinthians 13:11) we will not be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine
taught by those who deceive . . . but speaking the truth (John 17:17 – “Thy word
is truth”) in love one may mature up into Christ in “all” things. How do we know
false doctrine (John 8:32)? What is our maturation agent (I Peter 2:2)? The
gospel of Jesus Christ!
