EQUIPPING THE SAINTS PART 1

(Eph 4:11-12)  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the  equipping of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: The word Paul uses in Ephesians 4 is katartizmos which only occurs this once in the Bible. The word means: to complete furnishing, to perfect; to make something or someone completely adequate or sufficient for something. The basic idea is that of putting a thing into the condition in which it ought to be. To fully understand its use we need to refer to other Greek literature, written at the same time at Paul, to see how the apostle was bringing it in to our vocabulary: - In medicine it was used to set bones which had broken, or put a limb back in place; - In agriculture it was used to mend nets or a broken implement; - In boat building it was used for the refitting of a ship; - In politics it was used for bringing together opposing factions so that government could be formed. It comes from the root katartizo which occurs seventeen times in the New Testament. It means: to complete thoroughly, the repair completely, to frame or mend, to make perfect, to perfectly join or complete. Here are a few examples: Matt 4:21 the fishermen were mending their nets; Matt 21:16 from the mouths of babes you have perfected praise for yourself; Luke 6: 40 everyone who is fully qualified will be like their teacher; 1 Cor 1:10 be united in the same mind; 2 Cor 3: 11 Put things in order, listen to my appeal; 1 Thess 3:10 Restore whatever is lacking in your faith; Heb 13: 20,21 May God make you complete in everything good so you may do his will; 1 Peter 5:10 Christ will restore, support, strengthen and establish you. So Biblical equipping will include: * Re-locating people into areas that fit them better; * Mending things that are broken within and between us; * Refitting people for new tasks and seasons of life; * Bringing factions together in unity; * Furnishing people with what they need; * Giving people equipment, training and capacity to do the task; * Making people perfect for the work of the kingdom.

“There is much teaching, little training and practically no equipping going on in today’s church world.” (1) This is an observation I would agree with. These  FOUR things then, teaching, training and equipping   and releasing include:

* Teaching increases knowledge. It focuses on content (information);
* Training increases skill. It focuses on skills and gifts for the job;
* Equipping increases capacity. It focuses on the person, both calling and character.

* Releasing involves sending out, thrusting forth.

I believe that at this time, God is putting his finger on equipping. Strategic, intentional recognition of calling; impartation (stirring up) of gifts and skills; sharing knowledge and developing character into the lives of those we are in contact with.

Whatever equipping is, Christ accomplished it in three years with twelve disciples. The process we can observe in the New Testament narratives make it clear that he was preparing them for a day when he would leave. When he left, he would give them the Holy Spirit. He knew that their success would rely upon them having relationship with other believers.

Whatever equipping is, Paul accomplished it in his three missionary journeys through Asia and the near east. He always took companions, traveled through cities and raised up churches. In some cases he stayed for two years, in other cases he made multiple short visits. He wrote them encouraging and teaching letters. He relied upon the Holy Spirit instructing them after he had departed and often encouraged them to work on their relationship with one another.

To be continued........