With the help of its pastors, the True Church works towards unity in the Faith. Similar to unity in the Faith is something called unity in the knowledge of the Son of God. Both of these kinds of unity lead us to maturity. What we need to explain here is the unity in the Faith. Let’s read about it in context:
Christ himself gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers to equip his people for works of service, so that the Body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the Faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming (Ephesians 4:11-14).
Read this passage slowly and carefully because what we have in it is a roadmap to maturity--or, what Paul calls the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. We begin to attain to this whole measure by being equipped by Church leaders: apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers. These ministers equip each member of the Church for service. How do they do it? By teaching us the Word of God and encouraging us to use our spiritual gifts.
A strong congregation is first of all strong in doctrine. A strong church, knowing sound doctrine, will identify the deceitful scheming of false teachers. That's why Paul here warns against being carried away by winds of doctrine, and falling into the cunning and craftiness of false teachers. These things impede spiritual growth, leaving certain believers spiritual babies their whole lives. And those are the lucky ones! Others fall into the lies of false teachers and turn from the Faith, apostatizing.
Let's reiterate the main theme of this passage: False doctrines are the enemy of the Faith. To combat false doctrines, believers strengthen our unity in the Faith. We do that by speaking to one another about the sound doctrine and encouraging one another to persevere in it.
The problem is that most congregations don’t even know what sound doctrine is. Their pastors don't teach them. Try sharing the Fundamentals of Hebrews 6:1-2 with people you know who go to other churches, and you'll find that most are not only ignorant of the Fundamentals, they become offended when you explain them.
But there are a few of us who have learned to love sound doctrine--a remnant. Join us. Unite with us in the Faith!
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of the Resurrection of the Dead, and of the Eternal Judgment (Hebrews 6:1-2; NKJV).
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