How many pounds are in a sigh? How many inches are in a breath? How much light would it take to make a gallon?
These are inadequate units of measurement for their subject.
Several things are measured in the Bible. The ark built by Noah and the tabernacle’s parts and its items, for instance, are described as having length, width, and height. After being instructed on how to build, both Noah and Moses are said to have done according to all the Lord had commanded them (Gen 6:22; Ex 40:16).
When Peter confessed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God, Jesus said, “On this rock I will build My church” (Matt 16:18, Unless otherwise stated: Scripture is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Used by permission. All rights reserved). Surely Jesus did so according to His Father’s plan. The schematics are in the Scriptures, however, we can’t measure it the same way.
In Ephesians, Paul wrote about Christ’s church. He used several figures for it, including body, household, temple, and family. At the end of chapter two, Paul said the Ephesian brethren (and by extension all Christians) are being “built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” He began chapter 3 by saying, “For this reason.” Whatever he was about to say was concerning the Gentiles (verse 19) being built into the church, but he interrupted himself with a long interjection about his ministry to the Gentiles (Eph 3:2-13) and then picked up his line of thought in verse 14.
“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul was praying specifically about the design of the church, the dwelling place of God, as he was stating this prayer. In this, he prayed “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Eph 3:17-19).
Width and length and depth and height.
It should be no surprise that since the church is a spiritual body and dwelling place of God, it is measured, unlike any other thing, in four dimensions. We can’t understand the church with standard units of measurement, so let’s use these figures and see what Paul and others have said about the church’s construction.
We can measure the width of the church by the scope of its inclusion.
The temple of God is constructed of living stones from all the earth, regardless of former religion, nationality, or any other background (Eph 2:11-22; 1 Pet 2:4). “…God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:34, 35). The Lord adds the saved to the church (Acts 2:47; also see Gal 3:26-29).
We can measure the length of the church by the plan of its construction.
God had it in His mind before the foundation of the earth (Eph 1:4). It was predetermined that Jesus would come when He did, be betrayed, die, and rise from the dead (Acts 2:22-24). The church came about just as God had intended (Acts 13), “that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth – in Him (Eph 1:10).
We can measure the depth of the church by the cost of its foundation.
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace…” (Eph 1:7). There is no other foundation but Christ (1 Cor 3:11). The payment of the founding was the blood of God (Acts 20:28), driven by the love of God (John 3:16; 1 John 3:16). Small parts of God’s plan dive far beyond our understanding (Rom 11:33). How much more does the depth of God’s love defy total comprehension and appreciation?
We can measure the height of the church by the glory of its direction.
Jesus is the head of the body, the church (Eph 1:22, 23). The physical body of believers is simultaneously here and in the presence of God (Eph 2:4-6). We have a dual citizenship (Phil 3:20). Our feet may be on this earth, but our hearts, minds, and spirits rest in heaven (Col 3:2).
Having made this point and concluded his prayer, Paul began chapter 4, “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.”
We are called to selflessly strive to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace (Eph 4:2, 3).
Are you part of the church that God designed? You can know if it is the one measured out in Scripture.
Being part of it, are you doing your part to maintain unity and grow the body (Eph 4:15, 16)?
By what every joint supplies,
Van
