The Meaning of the Church as One for Another Through the Lens of the Epistle to the Ephesians

• When we are part of the church community, we become close in spirit because, through the sacrifice of Jesus, we who were once far away have now become near. (Ephesians 2:13)

• In the church, we are rooted and grounded in love, and together with all the saints, we learn to understand the width, length, height, and depth, as Christ dwells in our hearts through faith. We come to know His love and are filled with the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:17-19)

• In the church, we learn to live in a manner worthy of our calling, to be humble, gentle, and patient, bearing with one another in love, and striving to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:2-3)

• Each member in the church has grace according to the gift of Christ. No one is better or worse. Every person is important in the Body of Christ and has a unique gift that complements the gift of others — diversity in unity. All members of the Body of Christ are meant to be different. (Ephesians 4:7)

• Together, we build the body of Christ — some are appointed as teachers, pastors, others as prophets, evangelists, and apostles. (Ephesians 4:11-12)

• Together, we attain unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God, reaching the measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:13)

• Each member of the body grows to build itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:16)

In the church, we learn to be God’s people, exploring together what is pleasing to Him, rejecting empty talk, coarse jokes, and everything that belongs to our former darkness, and together striving for the light, with the fruits of the Spirit being gratitude, kindness, righteousness, and truth.