How does Ephesians 4:12 connect with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20? Verse Focus: Ephesians 4:12 “to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,” The Mission Behind the Mandate • Matthew 28:19-20 calls believers to “make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” • Ephesians 4:12 explains how that gets done: believers are “equipped” so they can actively minister, resulting in a stronger, expanding body of Christ. • Both passages assume purposeful movement—disciples grow and then go; they are reached, taught, and then released to reach and teach others. Equipping and Going—Two Sides of One Coin 1. Equipping (Ephesians 4:12) • Leaders “equip” (Greek: katartismos—prepare, outfit, fully furnish). • 2 Timothy 3:16-17—Scripture “completely equips” believers for every good work. 2. Going (Matthew 28:19-20) • “Go” (Greek: poreuthentes—having gone) assumes ongoing action. • Acts 1:8—power from the Spirit so witnesses can go “to the ends of the earth.” 3. Teaching and Building • Matthew emphasizes “teaching them to observe.” • Ephesians speaks of “building up the body.” • Colossians 1:28-29—Paul “proclaims, admonishes, teaches” to “present everyone perfect in Christ.” A Unified Flow of Disciple-Making • Christ gives gifted leaders (Ephesians 4:11) → • Leaders equip believers (Ephesians 4:12) → • Equipped believers engage in ministry (Ephesians 4:12) → • The body grows in maturity and number (Ephesians 4:13-16) → • Mature disciples obey the Great Commission, repeating the cycle (Matthew 28:19-20). Practical Takeaways for Today’s Church • Teaching without equipping stalls; equipping without going suffocates. • Every believer has a grace-gift for ministry (1 Peter 4:10-11; 1 Corinthians 12:7). • Healthy churches train, mobilize, and send—both locally and globally. • As disciples obey Jesus’ command to “make disciples,” the body is continually “built up,” fulfilling both Ephesians 4:12 and Matthew 28:19-20 in seamless harmony. |
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