December 1,2009 Bible Study Notes

Ephesians

Review
Connect Ephesians with Paul’s missionary journey
Acts 18:23 – 21:17 – 3rd Missionary Journey

Overview:
Following the pattern of all of his epistles, Paul introduced himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God--not by human will, not even by his own will, but God's will. That was the driving force in his life.
Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph.1:2) is in all of Paul's epistles. It is always in that order, grace and peace. Grace (Ephesian 2:8) is the work of the Father by which salvation from sin comes.  

Ephesians is one of four epistles classified as "Imprisonment Epistles".
Intended to be a circular letter, meaning to go to several churches.
Written around AD 61 - 62 during his imprisonment in Rome. Paul came there, not as an apostle who was free to go about conducting his ministry, but as an apostle in chains

The four prison epistles

Ephesians - 61 AD
Colossians – 61 AD
Philemon – 61 AD
Philippians - 62 AD

9 Things God has done for us in Chapter 1:

1. Blessed us -3
2. Chosen us-4
3. Predestinated us-5,11
4. Made us accepted-6
5. Redeemed us-7
6. Abounded toward us-8
7. Made known unto us-9
8. Given us an inheritance-11,14
9. Sealed us

What was the occasion of his writing the epistle?
His motive was the challenge which Christianity faced in confrontation with other religions. Paul opposed Judaism and the works of the law as a means of being right with God. He embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ which tells us that salvation by faith in God's is the way to the good life now and that which is to come.

Begin with Chapter 1:5
Verse 5: Predestinated us to be sons and daughters (Gal, 4:4, Rom 8:28-29, 1 Pet. 1:2-5)
God has predestined (to destine, decree, determine, appoint, or settle beforehand) all children  of God to be adopted into His family, but who becomes a child of God is left up to each individual.  (John 3:15-20, Rev.22:17, 2  1 Tim 2:4,Peter 3:9)
Verse 6: Made us accepted in God (2 Cor 5:14-21; Col 2:11-17)
2 Cor 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Verse 7: Redeemed us by his blood (Mt. 26:28, Col 1:14, Rom 3:21)
This is the price that God paid to manifest His grace and adopt us as sons and daughters.

Verse 8: Abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence (1 Cor 1:30)
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

Verses 9 -10:  made known to us His will
This mystery is that the Gentiles should be partakers of Christ with the Jews without circumcision and observance of the Mosaic rites and ceremonies.  See Eph. 3:1-6, Also Romans 11:25

7 Dispensations
Innocence (Genesis 3)
Conscience (Genesis 4-8)
Human Government ( Genesis 9-11)
Promise (Gen 12:1 – Exodus 12:36)
Law (Exodus 12:37 –Matthew 3)
Grace (Mt 3:1 – Rev 19:21)
Divine Government or Millennium (Rev. 20:1-15)

V11-12  Gave us an inheritance (Rom 8:17, 1 Peter 1:2-5)

V 13-14 Sealed us with the Spirit

See Roman 4:13  The righteousness of faith
Sealed - to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation, keep secret, to attest:--(set a, set to) seal up

1. For Security (Mt. 27:66, Rev. 20:3)
2. To hide, as the content of a letter (Rev 10:4; 22:10, Dt 32:34)
3. To confirm or approve by testimony (Jn 3:33, 6:27; Rom 15:28)
4. To confirm ownership (2 Cor 1:21-22, Eph 1:13, 4:30; Rev. 7:3-8)
5. The Holy Spirit of adoption is given to everyone who repents (Rom 8:9, 14-16) and he who has this Spirit has God’s seal that he belongs to the heavenly family.

V 15-19 Fivefold prayer for blessing
6 Things prayed for (Ephesians 1:16)

1. The spirit of wisdom
2. The spirit of revelation
3. Full enlightenment of truth
4. The hope of His calling
5. The riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints
6. The exceeding greatness of His power to those who believe

V20-23 Tenfold greatness of Power (Mt. 28:18, John 14:12-15, 1 Pet. 3:22)
Note: V21 is Prophetic
Eph 6:12 We wrestle not against flesh and blood

6 Things that God did for Christ

1. Raised Him from the dead
2. Exalted Him at His own right hand
3. Gave him authority over all power, good and evil, under Himself
4. Gave him a name above every name except God the Father
5. Put all things under His feet
6. Gave Him headship of the church