Ephesians 2:20
20 And are built [epoikodomeo] upon [epi] the foundation [themelios] of the apostles [apostolos]
and [kai] prophets, [prophetes] Jesus [Iesous] Christ [Christos] himself [autos] being [on] the chief corner [akrogoniaios] stone;KJV-Interlinear
20
having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ
Jesus Himself being the corner stone, NASB
The word for built, ‘epoikodomeo,’
begins the development of the concept of a construction process within the soul
of the believer.
This is a process with
which most believers are not familiar, and thus leading to confusion and
stagnation of their advancement in their spiritual lives.
This construction process
is based on the scriptures. The New
Testament was recorded by and through the apostles. This is the message of Christ, in which the principles
of the Old Testament have been fulfilled and completed through Christ.
And the prophets, brings
the Old Testament scriptures into view, because they lay the foundation of the
savior, teaching the promise and prophecy of same, in addition to the basics of
the spiritual life.
Jesus Christ Himself,
ties all of the scriptures together.
Jesus Christ is the principle subject of the entire Bible. The whole
point of the Bible is to introduce Christ and His work and what it all stands
for.
There is far more to the
Bible than just the promise of salvation, however, and here we are introduced
to the concept which in theology is called the edification complex of the soul.
Edification stands for
improvement, enlightenment, instruction, construction and so forth.
This concept will be
developed through chapter four, such that the believer can learn of the
phenomenal additional spiritual opportunities that have been made available to
them.
Just as when a child is
born into this world, it comes in as a blank slate. It learns as it grows up and continues to
grow throughout its life. From the very
basics of language, to the more complex aspects of adult life, the child does
not remain a blank slate, but fills up the brain and mental capacity from
experience, from academics, from life itself.
By the same token, the spiritual
life begins at the point of salvation.
No matter how old you are, when you first believed in Christ, you began
your spiritual life at square one and then grow up spiritually from there.
But unlike your physical
growth, your spiritual growth is contingent on your being in fellowship (acquired
through confession of your sins to God the Father), from your study and receipt
of instruction of the scriptures (from your daily study as doctrine is your
daily spiritual food for growth), from your learning and understanding and
application of doctrine in your daily growth.
This cycle of spiritual
learning, builds a complex, a spiritual complex within your soul.
Doctrine learned is the foundation
and framework of your spiritual structure.
Your spiritual application or production is your finish work of that
structure.
This is often times
called the construction of the temple, the palace, the fortress, the mansion
within your soul.
This growth or
construction builds up spiritual muscle, which builds up faith, which builds up
wisdom and maturity. And these things
are the basis for your eternal reward which you will receive when you stand
before Christ at the Judgment Seat of Christ, which will occur immediately
following your resurrection.
Those who have advanced
in their spiritual life will have phenomenally constructed souls. Those who
have not advanced in their spiritual life will have pathetically empty
souls. Which would you prefer?
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