Eph 2:11-22

We come to Christ individually, but we are a part of a larger corporate calling

Eph 2:11-13 (NIV) Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

• The comparison between "uncircumcised" and "the circumcised" is really what? Jew and Gentile
• From an outsider looking in, what is Paul reminding the Gentile believers as compared to the Jewish people?
• Prior to the cross, great differences exit
• Key words: "without" and outside"

• There are five privileges discussed which Gentiles did not enjoy but Jewish believers partook
• Gentiles were separate from the Messiah (no national or corporate hope for a savior)
• Gentiles were excluded from citizenship in Israel. Individuals could, but not nations
• They had no direct part in the promises of God
• Gentiles had no corporate future
• Gentiles were separated from God

• Interesting point here theologically between covenant theology and dispensational theology
• Covenant theology stresses the continuity between the two groups
• Dispensational theology stresses the differences between the two groups

Eph 2:14-18 (NIV) For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

• An interesting discussion is, what barrier is Paul referring to?
• The courtyard of the temple separated Jew from Gentile. But the courtyard still existed (at least for a while after Christ' death)
• The curtain that separated the holy place from the holy of holies did not separate Jew and Gentile, but man from God. That curtain was figuratively destroyed at the cross
• In the past, God made a distinction between peoples in his dealing with mankind
• The Jews were supposed to live in such a way to carry his light to the world, but they failed
• Now, God is dealing with mankind in a different way (a new administration or dispensation)

• The Mosaic law created the separation between the two groups. The dietary restrictions and laws creating separation created animosity
• What happened to the Mosaic law? It is abolished. The Greek word means "rendered inoperative." I.e., it is no longer God's standard for regulating the life of his people
• Rom 10:4 (NIV) Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
• Heb 10:1-4 (NIV) The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming — not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2 If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. 3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, 4 because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
• Col 2:13-14 (NIV) 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.
• 2 Cor 3:6-8 (NIV) He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant- — not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. // 7 Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?
• God's first purpose was to create one new man -- the church
• Believing Jews become Christians
• Believing Gentiles become Christians

• God's second purpose was to terminate the hostility between Jew and Gentile
• It's still exists today
• But for the most part, among the church, the hostility is gone
• In fact, the church is one of the few supporters Israel has

• Lastly, Jew and Gentile both share equally in one great privilege
• They both have equal access to God

Eph 2:19-22 (NIV) Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

• Prior to the cross, Gentiles were aliens (strangers, foreigners) in relation to believers of former ages
• Paul compares the church to a temple
• Jesus Christ is the cornerstone
• The apostles and the NT prophets (since prophets follow Jesus and the apostles) are the foundation
• Practical principle: the church is built on the NT scriptures (not the OT scriptures)
• Example and Principle of use of the OT
• Rom 15:1-4 (NIV) We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
• Teaching is to bear with the weak, and to seek our neighbors good. Christ did not try to please himself. An OT verse prophesied that fact. We can learn from the example of those in the OT on how to endure. We can be encourage by the things they dealt with in their life and relationship with God. But NT theology should come from the NT and not the OT. It can be bolstered by prophecy, but it must have its foundation in the NT
• Each believer is another brick in the building, called the church, which is to glorify God
• This is the church universal, as opposed to the local church
• But God also lives in each one of us, and each of us are building a temple with our lives to please and glorify God

• God's plan for believers included the building of a new entity after Jesus Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension (cf. Matt. 16:18). It was to be the church. The church is not just a continuation and modernization of Israel under a new name but a new creation (v. 15). In it Jewish and Gentile believers stand with equal rights and privileges before God. Membership in this new body is one of the great blessings of believers in the present age along with our individual blessings (vv. 1-10). Paul glorified God for that blessing in this section of Ephesians. (Constable)
• "I wonder if anything is more urgent today, for the honour of Christ and for the spread of the gospel, than that the church should be, and should be seen to be, what by God's purpose and Christ's achievement it already is— a single new humanity, a model of human community, a family of reconciled brothers and sisters who love their Father and love each other, the evident dwelling place of God by his Spirit. Only then will the world believe in Christ as Peacemaker. Only then will God receive the glory due to his name." (Stott)
• Diversity is a great ideal, but really it should be the church that shows true love and acceptance for diversity