The subject, “EDIFICATION, EDIFY, BUILD UP” is a very important part of the work of each congregation of God’s people today. The Greek word from which this family of words has come lets us know that the subject is of great import to God so far as the progress of his church is concerned, please look at the meaning of the word:
EDIFICATION (Grk. oikodome, “building”); means building up. A building is therefore called an edifice. Accordingly, the work of confirming believers in the faith of the gospel and adding to their knowledge and grace is appropriately expressed by this term. Christians are said in the N.T. to be edified by understanding spiritual truth (1 Cor. 14:3-5), by the work of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (Eph. 4:11-12, “building up”), and by good speech (4:29). The means to be used for one’s up building are the study and hearing of God’s Word, prayer, meditation, self-examination, and Christian work of every kind. It is our duty to edify or “build up one another” (1 Thess. 5:11) by the exhibition of every grace of life and conversation. The term is also applied to believers as “living stones” builded up into a habitation for the Lord, constituting the great spiritual temple of God (Eph. 2:20-22; 1 Peter 2:5).(From The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary – Copyright (c) 1988.)
ONE OF THE PRIMARY FUNCTIONS OF THE CONGREGATION
It is the responsibility of each autonomous congregation to “build up it-self” or make it stronger in the qualities that God approves. The individual congregation functioning under its leadership is to work at strengthening each member in the faith — this process of strengthening each member will result in a strong, sound, congregation. The congregation that has a scriptural eldership will see to it that the program of edification is designed to strengthen the church in every way that is consistent with the Divine pattern. Whenever we examine the Scriptural references where the word is translated edify or edification we understand that the church is to put forth the effort to grow, such as Peter says in 2 Peter 3:18, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him (be) the glory both now and for ever. Amen.” {ASV} Please note some of the passages: 1 Corinthians 14:3-5,3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification, and exhortation, and consolation. 4 He that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5 Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: and greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. (ASV) You will notice that in this context the emphasis is placed by the writer on edification and the importance of it. Paul, even where miraculous spiritual gifts were being used encourages that edification of the congregation is of paramount importance. Ephesians 4:11-12,11 And he gave some (to be) apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ: This passage is an important one in understanding the very purpose of the church as Christ structured it; all things are to be done with the growth of the membership as goal. Ephesians 4:29,29 Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear. ASVThe conversation of those that make up the congregation ought to be so structured that the church is built up by it. 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 11 Wherefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as also ye do. The passage here is similar to the passage in Eph 4:29, in each case the writer encourages Christians to build up each other through the process of communicating with one another in a verbal way. PRACTICAL
APPLICATION OF THE CONCEPT OF EDIFICATION
In the assemblies the process of edification may be encouraged and demonstrated by:
The Bible Classes:It is always building-up {i.e., edifying} to each member and those that visit if the class is well taught by the teacher and there is ample conversation from the class about the lesson texts.
The preaching service:The preacher ought to prepare his sermon well and deliver it with honesty, humbleness, and adequate proof text of Scripture. The hearers ought to listen intently for information that will help them grow and become better Christians. The Lord’s Supper service:
The brother that leads the service ought to speak clearly and soundly about the purpose of the Lord’s Supper.The membership ought to remain in a worshipful state during this and each phase of the service.
The singing service:The song leader for each service ought to come prepared to do the leading with devotion and zeal. The congregation ought to follow the lead of the song leader, as each person is considerate of the words of each song sung.
The prayers service:Prayer is a very important part of the edification process because the man selected to lead the prayer is heard by everyone present — the prayer will therefore edify each person that hears it.
The statements before the contribution are taken up:
Statements or passages of Scripture that are read by the man leading the service will edify and inform the membership and visitors alike. The person communication to the assembly through the announcements:
The announcer will inform the congregation about a number of things that might be useful to them about the sick, the shut-in, the plans for building cleaning or construction projects, about classes and teachers, and other coming events that are interesting to the assembled. The discussion before the service begins:
As the membership and the visitors assemble at the building, the subject matter may cover a number of things, make sure that some of that conversation and greeting of one another is spiritual in nature.
The statements at the close of the service:When the service is dismissed remember the visitors, the preacher, the song leader, and others that have participated in the service if they have done a good job, give them a pat on the back. Always be encouraging to everyone that is at the assembly, try to greet everyone. The conversation after the congregation dismisses:As you drive home in your automobile, reflect on the good that has been accomplished today. Discuss the good qualities of the service with the family members; try to strengthen their faith. The conversation of those that assemble around their table at home — especially as the family discusses the quality of the service: Try to find some good thing to say about those that were involved as leaders in the worship.