Dang suckas! Jalapeno Bagels!!!

Hey first of all thanks a lot for the pod cast. It really got me fired up and was so much better than just going through the notes on my own. But still I guess I missed out on the free Jalapeno bagels eh Mike. Brotha man thanks for the insight on the millennial kingdom and the differences on post and premillennialism and yes I noticed Brian still found a way to stick Ravenhill in there haha. Excellent.
One thing that I thought was really awesome though was what Davy said about redemption as not being a hope but a something that we have now. I think so often I subconsciously view redemption as something obtained in the future. It really hit me how much it will change our lives if we view this gift of Gods grace as something we have now. I think the other part of it is having a correct understanding of what redemption is too. The joy it produces is tremendous! I think we will truly know we understand grace when we see it changing us; really, truly, changing us.

Podcast: Ephesians 1:7-10 (09/27/08)

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Here is the Ephesians 1:7-10 Podcast.

Ephesians 1:7-10 (09/27/08)

Below are the notes from last Saturday’s Bible study. Really focus this week on the concept of redemption especially the ideas of: ransom price, bought “out” of, and to set free. Also, we were able to record the Bible study and Podcast it (finally!). Keith, we will try to do this for you every week. Marc since you missed this week you can keep up too.

Ephesians 1:7-10

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

(ESV)

v.7-10

Discuses the work of the Son, Jesus

Although all three persons of the Trinity are involved in redemption, Christ is the center and the focus of this passage

• Father – plans our salvation
• Holy Spirit – applies salvation to the individuals
• Jesus – achieves our salvation by his “redemptive death for us on Calvary’s cross

Redeemer “is the name specifically of the Christ of the cross. Whenever we pronounce it, the cross is placarded before our eyes and our hearts are filled with loving remembrance not only that Christ has given us salvation, but that he paid a mighty price for it” – B.B. Warfield

There are three words for “redemption” in the NT

1) agorazo – “to buy” or “to buy in a marketplace”

a. emphasizes the price Jesus paid for our salvation

b. some scholars have tried to change the idea of redemption from that of “buying” to mere “deliverance” (setting someone free) without applying the idea of a price or ransom

i. His death was not mere deliverance, because the price of redemption is Christ’s death.

1. Luke 24:46-47

2. In the OT the idea of deliverance by payment of a price was not an uncommon idea

a. Gall – means to redeem and goel means kinsmam-redeemer

b. These were principles of Jewish law which stated that property should remain within the same family whenever possible.

c. If a Jewish person lost their property, they may get it back through an obligation placed on a close relative.

d. Relative was called Goel, and was able to purchase the property to restore it back into the family

e. Boaz did this for the husband of Ruth

c. Kofer – “a ransom price”

i. If a farm animal killed someone, the animal or owner (if negligent) could be killed

1. The owner and the family of the person who was killed would be able to settle on a price for the owner to pay the family to redeem either himself of the animal. “This price of redemption was the kofer.”

ii. In the NT Greek world, the manumission of slaves for a price was also common

1. OT ref.s Ex. 21:8 & Lev. 25:48

2. Egypt – Deut. 7:8, 9:26, 13:5, I Chron. 17:21, etc.

d. We must hold on to the idea of price because key NT verses refer to it.

i. Matthew 20:28 (life as a ransom)

ii. Titus 2:14 (gave himself)

iii. 1 Peter 1:18-19 (blood of Christ redeemed us)

2) Exagorazo – adds prefix “out of”

a. “to buy out of the marketplace”

i. Once purchased, never to return

ii. Our redemption is permanent

iii. Our redemption is from sin and we will never be sold under the power of sin again

iv. Once saved, always saved

1. “Having been purchased at the infinite cost of the blood of God’s own Son, there is no one who can possibly top the price and thus purchase us away from him.”

3) Luo – “to loose, set free or deliver” – by payment of a price

a. We are bought from sin to set us free (not bought to be resold – using the slave analogy)

Redemption is not our hope; but rather it is an existing reality, a present possession. Note the words “we have” in v.7

• How freeing is this? We don’t have to earn God’s redemption, we have it now!

Simply put, redemption brings the limitless grace of God and forgiveness of sin

v.8

“The verb lavish, which, with their connotations of wealth and extravagance, make it crystal clear that the readers’ redemption is all of grace. Words are hardly adequate to describe the inexhaustible nature of God’s giving.” (O’Brien)

“with all wisdom and insight” – refers back to preceding clause “he lavished on us”. They refer to God’s gifts of grace which help us live wisely

See also Eph. 1:17, Col. 1:9, Eph. 5:15

v.9-10

1) The “mystery” here is God’s ultimate purpose in redemption which is to bring all things in heaven and on earth together again under Jesus Christ

a. Most translations leave out the “again” in this passage

b. At one time everything was together in Jesus, ceased to be united to him through the Fall, but is to be reunited in him again by redemption

c. Not universalism – all things will be saved

a. But rather everything will be subjected to Christ

i. Some willingly

ii. Some unwillingly

2) Dispensation [plan (ESV)] of the fullness of the times – means God’s perfect arrangement or administration of events and history to accomplish His plan

a. Rev. 20: 1-6

b. Chris W. – End times section

i. Insert ref.s here

Application

“Paul recognized that such an emphasis on difficult doctrines was necessary because right God-honoring behavior always springs from right beliefs. Christians who lack a proper theological foundation will not have a proper appreciation for what God has done, nor will they adequately understand the resources at their disposal in the life of faith.” – J. Mac.

Lloyd Jones quote page 25

• Is the Christ truly a Redeemer to you?
• Do you find redemption in Him?
• Do you realize Christ is your Ransomer and has shed his blood for you as your ransom?
• Have you thought through the idea that Christ, who is God, was the one who died for you?
• Can you fathom the price that was paid?

Prison analogy – “Life”

• We don’t appreciate our freedom, because we never experienced the punishment

If we don’t think about/appreciate/are thankful for redemption, how can we live a God-honoring life?

We must understand and live in this redemption in order to live in light of it.

Jesus Paid It All

I hear the Savior say
Thy strength indeed is small
Child of weakness....watch and pray
Find in me....thine all in all

Chorus:
Jesus paid it all
All to Him I owe
Sin hath left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow

Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone
Can change the leper's spots
And melt the heart of stone

For nothing good have I
Whereby Thy grace to claim
I'll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calvary's Lamb

And when before thy throne
I stand in Him complete
Jesus died my soul to save
My lips shall still repeat

Further Readings:

Gal 3:13

Gal. 4:5

References:
Ephesians - John MacArthur
Ephesians - James Boice
The Letter to the Ephesians - Peter O'Brien

Memory Bible Verse (9/28 - 10/04)

“3For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.”

– 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 (ESV)

Adoption & 1 John 3:1

Below are Chris's notes on a topic related to Hession's teaching of Ephesians 1:1-6. Most of you had to bail before he was able to present this material, but trust me, it's worth reading and meditating (or marinating) on this stuff. Thanks Chris for all your hard work. Gentlemen, enjoy.

Adoption & 1 John 3:1

Passage: “See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God: and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.”

How do we know we are adopted?

• We Believe/Receive Jesus

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” –Jn 1:12 (see topic of discussion below)

• We live in the Spirit

“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’” Rom 8:14-15

• We obey

“For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”

–Mt 12:50

The Reason we are Adopted

• This blessing comes not by nature, nor by merit, but by grace, the grace of adoption; which is of persons unto an inheritance they have no legal right unto; the spring of it is the everlasting and unchangeable love of God, for there was no need on the adopter's side, he having an only begotten and beloved Son, and no worth and loveliness in the adopted, they being by nature children of wrath; it is a privilege that exceeds all others, and is attended with many; so that it is no wonder the apostle breaks out in this pathetic manner, and calls upon the saints to view it with admiration and thankfulness—(John Gill's Exposition of the Bible; 1 John 3:1)

Consequences of Adoption

• A New Sense of Belonging
• We once belonged to the world as “children of wrath” (Eph. 2:3; see also Jn 8:41-44), but now are members of the family of God
• Bear this concept in mind when reading Jn 15:19: “If you were of the world, the world would love its own” (also Jn 16:3; 17:25) and compare it to the end of 1 Jn 3:1.
• Children of wrath do not know us in the sense that they do not know our Father. If God is whom our lives revolve around and they do not know Him then what does that make us in their eyes? And if the consequence of accepting our beliefs is that those who do not know God will go to hell, then why should they love us? If they do not know our Father then we are mere lunatics who believe they will burn for eternity--so how can they understand us? Answer: they will not until they know the Father which also means they will no longer be children of wrath, but one of us. They will hate us until they become one of us (i.e., a member of our family). Yet we must love our enemy until then.
• Interestingly (I may be going out on a limb here), in a patrilineal culture that placed such a strong emphasis on lineage and genealogies such as the culture of the Jews, the concept of knowing someone based on who their Father was would have been well-understood in that context. It would have been difficult for a Jew to really know who someone else was in certain respects if the lineage was unknown (e.g., is this person a Levite that should serve in the priesthood? Is he a Benjimite? Is he even a Jew?). The concept of being known by one’s father is difficult for us to understand in our very individualistic and egalitarian society where everyone is “his/her own person”.
• Jn 8:41-47 depicts this sense of belonging very well in which Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for claiming God is their Father and says their true father is the devil, and they cannot hear the words of God because they are not of God.
• Persecution
• Following Jn 15:19 Jesus says, “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you…” (v. 20).
• By our membership in the family of God the world will persecute what it does not know.
• Let us not think as slaves as well that we are better than our Master—let us question the times when we are not persecuted.
• Love for each other
• We are in the same family and ought to love the brethren
• We are no longer under the tutelage of the law
• Gal 3:23-26
• Be careful to use this freedom for the benefit of the Kingdom.
• Mimicry of the Father
• Eph 5:1 “be imitators of God, as beloved children”
• An Inheritance
• “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.” (Rom 8:16-17)
• Discipline
• Heb 12:5-7
• Intimacy
• “…but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba Father!” (Rom 8:15b)
• Freedom from slavery to sin
• Gal 4:6-8
• A unity that crosses racial and gender boundaries
• Gal 3:24-29

Important Note: None of these consequences are negative! All (even persecution and discipline) result in blessing from God.

A Thought for Discussion: Why do you think we are referred to as the adopted children of God yet also as being born of God (Jn 1:12-13; 3:8)? Can we be both Biblically and/or philosophically, or are these passage talking about two areas of doctrine that are quite different (i.e., adoption and regeneration)? Grudem believes that adoption and regeneration are not connected in the NT, but Jn 1: 12-13 particularly makes it difficult for me to agree as Jn 1:12 seems to talk about adoption and then v. 13 speaks of being born of God.

A large part of my springboard for thought was:

• Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology. Ch. 37 Adoption (Membership in God’s Family). Zondervan, 1994.
• Gill, John. John Gill's Exposition of the Bible.
• http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/mybst

All Bible quotes were from the NASB

Ephesians 1:1-6 (09/20/08)

Below are Hession's notes from Saturday's study. In our study, the one thing that really stood out for me was the concept of the "will of God". How many times do we think about the will of God as some abstract goal we need to achieve with our lives? When in reality it is our sanctification. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7.

Ephesians 1:1-6 (KJV)

1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

The following bullet points are all taken from William Hendriksen’s, New Testament Commentary on Ephesians.

Blessed (be) the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Goodness, truth, and beauty are combines in this initial doxology, in which the apostle, in words that are beautiful both in the thoughts they convey and in their arrangement, pours out his soul in true adoration for God’s goodness in action. He ascribes to God the honor due Him for spiritual blessings past (election), present (redemption), and future (certification as sons with a view to complete possession of the inheritance reserved for them). The apostle realizes that divine blessings bestowed upon God’s people should be humbly, gratefully, and enthusiastically acknowledged in thought, word, and deed, that response is the only proper way in which these spiritual bounties can be “returned” to the Giver. The circle must be completed: what comes from God must go back to Him! That is the meaning of saying “Blessed (be)….” (Hendriksen)

Says John Calvin, “The lofty terms in which he [Paul] extols the grace of god toward the Ephesians, are intended to rouse their hearts to gratitude, to set them all on flame, to fill them even to overflowing with this disposition. “Paul’s “heart aflame” is bent on setting other hearts aflame also, with sincere, humble, overflowing praise to “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Hendriksen)

Together with the gifts He imparts Himself. (Hendriksen)

While it is not true that the Old Testament regards material goods as being of higher value that spiritual, for the contrary is clearly taught in such passages as Gen.15:1, 17:7; Ps. 37:16, 73:25, it is true, nevertheless, that between the two Testaments there is a difference of degree in the fullness of detail with which earthly or physical blessings are described (Exod. 20:12; Deut. 28:1-8). God is ever the wise pedagogue who takes his children by the hand and knows that in the old dispensation, “when Israel is a child” it needs this circumstantial description of earthly values in order that by means of symbols (e.g., earthly Canaan is the symbol of the heavenly), it may rise to the appreciation of the spiritual (cf I Cor. 15:46). The New Testament, while by no means depreciating earthly blessings (Matt. 6:11; I Tim 4:3-4), places all the emphasis on the spiritual (II Cor. 4:18), and it may well have been that in order to emphasize this difference between the old and the new dispensation it is here stated that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ blessed us with every spiritual blessing. It is best to allow the context to indicate the nature and content of these blessings. Though, to be sure, the very word every clearly proves that it would be wrong to subtract even a single invisible bounty from the list of those “vast benefits divine which we in Christ poses,” yet the context indicates that the apostle is thinking particularly of – or subsuming all these benefits under – those that are mentioned in the present paragraph, namely, election (and its accompaniment, foreordination to adoption), redemption (implying forgiveness and grace overflowing in the form of all wisdom and insight), and certification (“sealing”) as sons and heirs. (Hendriksen)

The phrase “in the heavenly places” or simply “in the heavenlies” indicates that these spiritual blessings are heavenly in their origin, and that from heaven they descend to the saints and believers on earth. (Hendriksen)

“In Christ”. It or its equivalent occurs more than ten times in this short paragraph (1:3-14), clear evidence of the fact that the apostle regarded Christ as the very foundation of the church, that is, of all its benefits, of its complete salvation. It is in connection with Christ that the saints and believers at Ephesus (and everywhere else) have been blessed with every spiritual blessing; election, redemption, certification as children and heirs, and all other benefits subsumed under these headings. Apart from Him they not only can do nothing but are nothing, that is, amount to nothing spiritually. (Hendriksen)

“In time the Father blessed us in Christ, just as from all eternity he elected us in Him. (Hendriksen)

For election is not an abrogation of divine attributes. (Hendriksen)

(John 17:24)

If already before the foundation of the world those destined for everlasting life were elected, then all the glory for their salvation belongs to God, and to him alone. Hence, “blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!” (Hendriksen)

The purpose of election is found in the words, that we should be holy and faultless before Him. (Hendriksen)

Earthly parents may love an adopted child ever so much. Nevertheless, they are, to a large extent, unable to impart their spirit to the child. They have no control over heredity factors. When God adopts, he imparts His Spirit! This adoption is through Jesus Christ for himself. It is through the work of Christ that this adoption becomes a reality. By this atonement the news standing and also the transformation into the spirit of sonship were merited for the chosen ones. Thus, they become God’s children who glorify him. (Hendriksen)

What he did was a result not of sheer determination but of supreme delight. A person may be fully determined to submit to a very serious operation. Again, he may be just as fully determined to plant a beautiful rose garden. Both are matters of the will. However, the latter alone is a matter of delight, that is, of his will’s good pleasure. Thus God, who does not afflict from the heart, delights in the salvation of sinners. (Hendriksen)

(Rom. 8:32)

The son, knowing what is pleasing to the Father and in harmony with his will, does not wait until the Father orders him to do this or that, but willingly offers himself. He volunteers to do the Father’s will. (Hendriksen)

It is this marvelous delight, on the part of the Son, in doing the Father’s will and thereby saving his people even at the cost of his own death, yes, death by means of a cross, that the Father, again and again, to exclaim, “This is my beloved Son.” (Hendriksen)

In a visible manner the Son took upon himself the sin of the world. (Hendriksen)

Extra Notes/Definitions

Apostle - One who blazes a trail and starts churches,
Will of God - There is a vast difference between God’s will and the future. Many seek God’s future for their life, but we are called to know His will, which is, our sanctification. (1 Thessalonians 4:1-7)
Saints/Faithful - Here the saints and faithful are one and the same there is no difference. The idea of being a saint it not of one being called to be a saint but, seeing we are saints, we should act accordingly.

Digging Deep

"The one who digs deep empties himself of self righteousness and self-sufficiency, casts aside his own visions and experiences, and builds on the word of God for God's glory and not his own." (John MacArthur 116 Hard to Believe)
We as christians cannot dig deep if we are unwilling to leave behind that which does not give glory to God. WE cannot grow and if we cannot grow then we need to ask ourselves are we true believers. AS followers of Christ we need to truly believe that our own visions and experiences are completely meaningless apart from Christ and build upon the word and not the world.

Memory Bible Verse (9/21 - 9/27)

“22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”

– Galatians 5:22-26 (ESV)

Archived Quote of the Week

"Hell yeah I'm reading this crap!" - Brian Hession 09/06/08 (in reference to Ephesians)

Memory Bible Verse (9/14 - 9/20)

"for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

- 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)

A Salute From Oregon

Gentelmen it is wonderful to see that you have continued to pursue a meeting time a place again after a few months. You all know that I have stood by Davey as my right hand man for a few years. He might not have all of the education that most pastors or elders have at Cornerstone or other churches, but what has always stood out in my mind about Davey is his willingness to learn and obedience to what ever God asks him to do. Another thing is that he is a really good researcher so if he doesn't have an answer or doesn't know anything about a specific passage he will try his best to find the answer in the Word or in other research. I am glad that you all have decided to continue the legacy of the Bible Study and with Davey as your shepherd I know that you are in good hands!

Continue to pray for the Lord to do abundantly more than we could ever ask or think in your lives, but also for Colossae Church up here in Oregon. I love you all and miss you dearly, but I am more and more confident that this is the exact place that God wants us to be and to build his kingdom here on the earth.

Your Servant in Christ,

Geoff Leatherman
gleatherman1@gmail.com
503-828-7803

Hard to Believe

Hey guys I have been reading this book by Jon MacArthur lately called Hard to Believe. The book as a whole has really been challenging how I and I think how many others view the Christian life. It is about easy believism or "Christianity Lite" as Johnny Mac calls it. I am going to post a few passages from the book and I would love to hear how you feel they apply to you, life in general or the church today. Not a church specifically but the modern church movement I guess.
"If someone who calls himself a christian doesn't think and act like a Christian, he's not on the road he thinks he is. He has likely joined the mighty band rushing through the wide gate of false religion. He exhibits none of this self denial stuff: Hey bring all of your baggage, your personal ambition, your will your selfish desires, your immorality, your lack of repentance, your reluctance even to submit fully to the leadership of Christ!... Many claim to be Christians yet are still self indulgent. They may not know it, they are on the broad road to destruction."
What hit me here is the lightness in which I often view these issues. Often times I think we as children of God need to realize that the gospel calls us to give all and submit fully and when we share the word with people we need to make sure that we are not watering it down and are confronting people with the with what God demands from believers. Our lives, hopes, dreams and lusts. We are to pick up our cross and bear it.
Another passage that really hit me was this one, "Hell will be full of people who thought highly of the sermon on the mount. You must do more than that. You must obey it and take action." This to me just challenged me in the way I react to God's word. Am I reacting even? Am I just taking it in, realizing what I should do and never doing it.
"It is not enough to listen to preaching about the gate; it is not enough to respect the ethics, you've got to walk through the gate."

Memory Bible Verse (9/7 - 9/13)

"9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.

10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.

11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you."

- Psalm 119:9-11 (NIV)

Ephesians Introduction (09/06/08)

Title:

• Ephesians is addressed to the church at Ephesus.
• Ephesus was the capital of the Roman province of Asia (Asia Minor – Modern day Turkey)
• Some scholars believe that because the name Ephesus is not mentioned in every early manuscript, the letter was intended to be circulated among all seven churches in Asia Minor established by Paul or his followers, the first being Ephesus.
• “Before you begin your personal study of Ephesians, write the name of your own church or city at the appropriate place in verse 1 and then read everything in the letter as the explicit word of God to you and your fellowship” (Boice x).

Author:

• Is Paul as we can see from verse 1, “ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:”
• Chapter 3 verse 1, “For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—”
• Letter was written from Roman prison between 60-62 A.D.
• Acts 28: 16-31
• v16, “And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier that guarded him.”
• v.30, “He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him,”
• Possibly written at the same time as Colossians and may have been sent with that epistle and Philemon by Tychicus
• Eph. 6:21-22 – “So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.”
• Col. 4:7-8
• Was written to the Christians in Ephesus who were trying to live for God in the midst of utter paganism.

Background & Setting:

• Gospel first came to Ephesus by Priscilla & Aquila – Acts 18:26
• Paul left them there during his second missionary journey – Acts 18:18-19
• Ephesus is located:
• At the mouth of the Cayster River
• On the East side of the Aegean Sea
• Ephesus was the capital of proconsular Asia
• It’s port was large and thus became the chief communication and commercial link between Rome and the East.
• “Merchants flocked to it. It became a melting pot of nations and ethnic groups. Greek and Roman, Jew and Gentile, mingled freely in its streets” (Boice 3)
• Compared to Venice in the Middle Ages
• Ephesus boasted the largest of all Greek open-air theaters
• Held 25,000 spectators
• City was best known for the Temple of Artemis (Diana) which was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world
• 425’ x 220’ x 60’ (about four times the size of the Parthenon - a temple of the Greek goddess Athena, built in the 5th century BC)
• The temple was a huge depository for huge amounts of treasure and was the bank of Asia.
• It was served by hundreds of priestesses of Diana, who were temple prostitutes.
• The city was an important political, educational, and commercial center
• Ranks with Alexandria, Egypt & Antioch, Pisidia

Church History:

• The church was started by Priscilla & Aquila and was more “firmly” established by Paul on his third missionary journey (Acts 19)
• Paul pastured the church for about 3 years
• When Paul left, Timothy took over pasturing the church for about a year and a half
• Timothy was instructed to counter the false teachings in the church
• False teachers were a few influential men (Hymenaeus & Alexander) who were possibly elders of the church (1 Tim. 1:3, 20)
• They plagued the church with:
• “fables and endless genealogies” (1 Tim. 1:4)
• forbidding marriage and certain foods (1 Tim. 4:3)
• their confident preaching of a false doctrine (1 Tim. 1:7)
• their disputes rather than edification (1 Tim. 1:4) (NKJV)
• About thirty years later, Christ gave the apostle John a letter for this church, indicating its people had left their first love for Him (Rev. 2:1-7)

Historical & Theological Themes:

• First three chapters are theological
• Emphasizing NT doctrine
• Last three chapters are practical
• Emphasizing Christian behavior
• “Perhaps, above all, this is a letter of encouragement and admonition, written to remind believers of their immeasurable blessings in Jesus Christ; and not only to be thankful for those blessings, but also to live in a manner worthy of them” (MacArthur 1681)
• “One very important thing that will happen is that you will be moved to seek God’s glory as your chief end in life and not merely your own personal well-being or happiness. To God be the glory! Amen” (Boice x).
• Even though we are saved (and also in part because we are saved) we will be tempted to live a self-gratifying complacent life, and as a result Paul preaches in the last chapter:
• of the full spiritual armor supplied to us through Gods Word and by His Spirit (6:10-17)
• our need for continual prayer (6:18)
• Another key theme is the mystery of the church which is revealed in 3:6, “This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel”
• This truth remained hidden from previous generations (3:5, 9)
• This truth means that all believers in Jesus Christ, the Messiah, are equal before the Lord as His children and as citizens of His eternal kingdom
• Another major truth is that the church is Christ’s present spiritual, earthly body
• This depicts the church as a living organism composed of mutually related and interdependent parts.
• Christ is the head, Holy Spirit is the lifeblood.
• Body functions through the faithful use of its members various spiritual gifts given to each by the Holy Spirit
• “As I look at the church, I sense that our problem is that we are too man-centered. We think of the church as being created and managed by us and for our needs, rather than by God and for God’s glory” (Boice ix).
• Ephesians promotes sound ecclesiology (The branch of theology that is concerned with the nature, constitution, and functions of a church) in that it is a doctrine of the church that begins with God and his work and ends, as all things eventually will end, with God’s glory.
• The letter explores how the church is to function and helps believers understand the churches direction and self-understanding.
• Another theme presented is the riches and fullness of blessing to believers.

Repetition:

• The following words are repeated in the letter:
• Riches=5; Grace=12; Glory=8; Fullness/Filled=6; in Christ/in Him=12

Interpretive Challenges:

• Theology is direct and unambiguous
• “…It presents the basic doctrines of Christianity comprehensively, clearly, practically, and winsomely” (Boice xi)
• Ephesians contains no unique teachings.
• “We are told who we are, how we came to be as we are, what we shall be, and what we must do now in light of that destiny” (Boice 2).

References:

Ephesians - John MacArthur

Ephesians - James Boice

The Letter to the Ephesians - Peter O'Brien

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