by Rick Marin | Jul 26, 2023 | 2023 3rd Quarter
What is the middle wall of partition_
(Ephesians 2:11-22; Deuteronomy 31:24-26; Colossians 12:14-17) Blog July 23-29, 2023
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Before the foundation of the world God chose Jesus to be surety for humanity. All those found “in him” would become the church, Christ’s body, his bride. They are to grasp the magnitude of this calling and God’s power to accomplish all that he planned for humanity. It is by God’s attitude of grace that hell-bound sinners who believe can be saved.
Aliens
1. With what broad subject does Paul introduce the second half of Ephesians 2? Paul begins this section of Ephesians with the broad distinction between Jew & Gentile made by Mosaic circumcision in the flesh (Eph. 2:11).
2. What five distinctions between Jew and Gentile does Paul record in verse 12? Gentiles had no Messiah, they were not part of God’s elect people, they had no covenant promise, they were without hope, & without God (Eph. 2:12).
3. How might we express these five distinctions in another way? Gentiles were like dead fish floating downstream, with no Saviour, no family, no protecting boundaries, no future, & no present. This world was all they had (Eph. 2:12).
4. According to verse 13 what made the great change for Gentiles? The great change took place when they entered Christ by faith (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 3:29; Eph. 2:13).
5. What did Jesus do to break down the “middle wall of partition” between Jew and Gentile? By his perfect life (flesh) & atoning death (blood) Jesus broke down the “middle wall of partition” (Eph. 2:13-15; 2 Tim. 1:10).
The Middle Wall of Partition
6. What was the “middle wall of partition” that Jesus broke down? The “middle wall of partition” that Jesus broke down was “the law of commandments contained in ordinances” (Eph. 2:14-15).
7. What is “the law of commandments contained in ordinances”? The “law of commandments contained in ordinances” is the Law of Moses that was nailed to Christ’s cross (Deut. 31:24-26; Eph. 2:15; Col. 2:14-17; Heb. 7:12).
8. Why do some people prefer to seek out a different interpretation of the “middle wall of partition” rather than the Law of Moses? Some people do not want to retain the Ten Commandments as a standard of Christian living so they choose not to distinguish between it & the Law of Moses so they can teach that both are no longer obligatory for Christians. Others believe Christians are still under the Law of Moses, so they look for a different interpretation of this passage (Eph. 2:14-15).
9. What words in Ephesians 2:15 and Colossians 2:14 make clear that Paul is speaking of the Law of Moses? The words “handwriting,” “enmity,” “law,” & “ordinances” make clear that Paul is referring to the Law of Moses for Moses uses those very ideas to refer to it (Num. 9:14; Deut. 31:24-26).
See our YouTube study on “The Two Laws” for further detail: https://youtu.be/kY_tztT3mq4
The Family of God
10. Where are Jew and Gentile brought together? In our world Jew & Gentile have not been brought together. Only in Christ have they been brought together. In Christ they are one body (Gal. 3:26-28; Eph. 2:15-16).
11. What is another name for that body where Jew and Gentile are brought together? Christ’s body is also called the church or the family of God (Eph. 1:22-23; 2:18-19).
12. What is the church built on? The church is built on Jesus as revealed in the writings of the prophets & apostles (Matt. 16:18; 1 Cor. 3:11; Eph. 2:20).
13. Is the construction of the church finished? No, the building of the church is not finished until the last soul to be saved is sealed, for it is made up of people (Eph. 2:21-22; 1 Pet. 2:5-6; Rev. 7:3).
14. What member of the Godhead places us in and dwells in God’s church? The Holy Spirit places us into God’s family and indwells God’s church (1 Cor. 3:16; 12:13; Eph. 2:18, 22).
15. If Jews and Gentiles are all one in Christ, why does Paul say that “all Israel shall be saved”? In Romans Paul uses the term “Israel” to refer to God’s church who in Christ (God’s Elect) has become “the Israel of God” (Isa. 42:1; Rom. 2:28-29; 11:26; Gal. 6:14; Eph. 2:19).
by Rick Marin | Jul 20, 2023 | 2023 3rd Quarter
When was grace made manifest?
(Ephesians 2:1-10; 2 Timothy 1:8-10) Blog July 16-22, 2023
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Paul told the Ephesians that before the foundation of the world God chose them to be holy and blameless and “in Christ” he gave them every spiritual blessing. They were to grasp the magnitude of this calling and Christ’s desire to make them his bride. By resurrecting and exalting Jesus God demonstrated his power to accomplish all that he had planned for humanity.
Children of Wrath
1. How does Paul describe unbelievers in Ephesians 2:1? Paul says unbelievers are dead in trespasses & sins (Eph. 2:1).
2. What words from verse 5 do many versions add to what Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:1? Many versions inappropriately add “hath he quickened” to verse 1 (Eph. 2:1, 5).
3. What is “the course of this world”? “The course of this world” is the easy road that leads to destruction. It is like just floating downstream as dead fish do (Matt. 7:13; Eph. 2:2).
4. What spirit works in all unbelievers? Satan’s spirit works in all unbelievers for he claims to be the prince of this world (John 12:31; Eph. 2:2).
5. How does Paul describe the lifestyle of unbelievers? Unbelievers follow the lusts of their flesh, fulfilling the desires of their flesh & of their minds (that of their sinful natures) (Eph. 2:3).
6. What does the phrase “were by nature the children of wrath” mean? All mortals have sinful natures, but here Paul is emphasizing our legal inheritance. Only unbelievers live under God’s wrath (condemnation). Believers are not condemned to wrath for they have passed from death unto life. That is why they do not walk after the flesh but rather, they walk after the Spirit (John 5:24; Rom. 5:17; 8:1; Eph. 2:3; 1 John 3:14).
Saving Grace
7. Why did God think to bring life to people dead in sins? It was because of God’s great love, rich mercy, & abundant grace that God chose to bring life to people dead in sins (Eph. 2:4-5).
8. Where and when did God give life to fallen humanity? Before the world began God gave Jesus to be the Saviour of the world. It was then in him that he gave life to fallen humanity (Eph. 2:5; 2 Tim. 1:9; Rev. 13:8).
9. When was the saving grace of God made manifest? The grace that God gave humanity in Christ before the world began was manifest when Jesus took our humanity here on earth (Eph. 2:6; 2 Tim. 1:10)
10. What does God propose to do in the ages to come? In the ages to come God proposes to show the richness of that grace that he gave to humanity in Jesus by revealing all that the plan of human salvation involved (Eph. 2:7).
Saving Faith
11. Of which kind of grace is Paul writing in Ephesians 2:8? The grace Paul speaks of here is that grace which is in the heart of God (his kindness) & not that grace which overflowed from there in the gift of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:7-8; Tit. 2:11).
12. How does faith function in human salvation? Faith is like the hand that receives salvation as God’s gift. There is no merit in faith for it also is a gift from God (Rom. 12:3; Eph. 2:8).
13. How is it that God can count a person righteous when all they do is accept the gospel story for themselves? Saving faith takes hold of Jesus & all that he is & offers him to the Father. Since the Father is well pleased with his Son he is well pleased with those who come to him in the Son (Matt. 25:1-12; Col. 2:10).
14. Why does Paul add “not of works” in verse 9? The rudiments of the world teach that “you get what you pay for” but God’s salvation is not after that order. He gives what he paid for & taking any credit to ourselves is blasphemy (Rom. 3:28; Eph. 2:9).
15. Does God have any interest in our good works? God desires that our lives be filled with good works, not as a means of our salvation but rather as a grateful response to the salvation that God gives us in Jesus (Eph. 2:10; Tit. 2:14).
16. What roles do grace and faith play in our salvation? Grace is God’s unmerited favor shown to humanity in the gift of his Son & faith alone is the proper response to the favor God has shown (Eph. 2:8).
17. How do we receive faith? God gives to all a measure of faith. It comes by hearing his word. It is up to us to use the faith he gives us & not discard it (Rom. 10:17; 12:3; Eph. 2:8).
by Rick Marin | Jul 12, 2023 | 2023 3rd Quarter
What is the hope of God’s calling?
(Ephesians 1:15-23; Deut. 9:29) Blog July 09-15, 2023
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: A few years after firmly establishing the Christian church in Ephesus, Paul wrote a letter to the Ephesians. After wishing them grace and peace, he tells them that before the foundation of the world God chose them to be holy and blameless “in Christ.” “In Christ” believers have been given every spiritual blessing, including an eternal inheritance and God’s grace even overflowed in the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Giving Thanks
1. What two things inspired Paul to pray for the believers in Ephesus? The faith & love of the believers in Ephesus moved Paul to pray for them (Eph. 1:15-16).
2. What should we learn from Paul’s reference to faith and love? Paul is clear that the love as well as the faith is that of the believers. He does not call it the “love of God” nor the “faith of Jesus.” This shows that saving faith is the believer’s response to God’s love & their love is a quality in them (Rom. 10:17; Eph. 1:15; 1 John 4:19).
3. What did Paul ask God to give to the believers in Ephesus? Paul asked God to give the believers the spirit of wisdom that would reveal to them more about Jesus (John 16:13-14; Eph. 1:17).
4. What comes from knowing Jesus experientially? An experimental knowledge of Jesus brings eternal life (John 17:3; Phil. 3:10-11).
Open Eyes
5. What especially did Paul want his readers to understand? Paul wanted his readers to understand the hope of God’s calling, the glorious richness of Christ’s expected inheritance, & the greatness of God’s power toward believers (Eph. 1:18-19).
6. What is the hope of God’s calling? The hope of God’s calling is the hope of perfection & immortality through Jesus’ ministry in our behalf (Eph. 1:18; 4:4; Phil. 3:14; 2 Tim. 1:9-10; Heb. 6:18-20).
7. What is “Christ’s inheritance”? Christ’s inheritance is a redeemed humanity that will be his bride (Deut. 9:29; 32:9; Zech. 2:12; 2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 1:18; 5:22-27).
8. What is “the greatness of God’s power toward believers”? God’s power towards believers is unlimited (omnipotent), meaning there is nothing that he cannot do for the redemption, perfection, & establishment of his people (Eph. 1:19; Phil. 2:13; Heb. 13:21).
9. How do “the hope of God’s calling,” “Christ’s inheritance in the saints,” and “God’s power toward believers” relate to the future of Christ and his church? Marriage engagement partners will want to know the true interest & power of the groom as well as what the bride can become. So, Paul desires these things to be understood by Christ’s church (Jud. 14:3; Song 4:7; 5:10; Eph. 1:18-19).
Mighty Power
10. What illustration of God’s power does Paul give in Ephesians 1? Paul illustrates God’s power by referring to the resurrection & exaltation of Christ (Eph. 1:20).
11. How does Paul illustrate the power of the resurrection in other passages? Paul says that Christ was raised so that we might be justified, for if he is not risen then our faith is vain, but since he is risen believers will also be resurrected & perfected for it is a powerful truth. And Peter says that it gives us a lively hope (1 Cor. 15:14, 22; Phil. 3:10; Heb. 13:20-21; 1 Pet. 1:3).
12. What should we learn from the phrase “in the heavenly places”? Paul uses this phrase four times in Ephesians & only there. It shows that Jesus heavenly ministry occupies more than one place, just as the high priest on earth ministered in two apartments of the sanctuary (Eph. 1:3, 20; 2:6; 3:10; Heb. 8:5; 9:1-3, 24).
13. When did God, the Father, set Jesus at his own right hand? Jesus was placed at the Father’s right hand when he ascended to heaven after spending 40 days with his disciples on earth. This is when he received the Holy Spirit from the Father & sent it to his disciples on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:33; Heb. 1:3).
14. Was Jesus’ exaltation to the Father’s right hand his final exaltation? No, Jesus still waits till all his enemies are destroyed (Psa. 110:1; 1 Cor. 15:28; 1 Pet. 3:22; Heb. 1:13).
15. To what does Paul refer in Ephesians 1:21? “Principality,” “power,” “might,” & “dominion” refer to orders of heavenly beings like seraphim, cherubim, & rulers of other worlds. After the cross Jesus took his place above all these (Job 1:6-7; 38:6-7; Luke 15:4-7; Eph. 1:21; Heb. 1:4-8).
16. What is Jesus’ relationship to the church? Jesus is the Husband of the church, as the head to the body (Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23-30; Col. 1:18).
by Rick Marin | Jul 5, 2023 | 2023 3rd Quarter
What is the order of salvation?
(Zechariah 2:12; Ephesians 1:3-14; Colossians 1:13-14) Blog July 2-08, 2023
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: The church Paul planted and Apollos watered in Ephesus became the representative institution for the early church. To her, Jesus wrote his first letter in Revelation and for her growth Paul worked night and day for over three years. The great Ephesian goddess Diana lost much of her strength due to the entrance of the Gospel into that important city in Asia Minor. Later Paul wrote a letter to the Ephesians to encourage them with a clear understanding of who they are “in Christ.”
All Spiritual Blessings
1. To whom does Paul address the letter to the Ephesians? Paul writes to those whom heaven calls saints. Those who faithfully follow Jesus on earth (Eph. 1:1).
2. As Paul begins his letter to the Ephesians, what does he wish for them? Paul desires that God would consider the believers in Ephesus better than they really are (grace) & that they enjoy the harmony with those around them (peace) that comes to those who are “in Christ” by faith (Eph. 1:2).
3. Where does Paul say that believers have every spiritual blessing? Every spiritual blessing is found in Jesus who is in heaven (Eph. 1:3).
4. For what were we chosen? We were chosen to be holy & blameless before God, walking in love (Eph. 1:4).
5. For what were we predestined? We were predestined to be adopted into God’s family (Eph. 1:5).
6. Where does Paul say that we find justification, redemption, and forgiveness? We find justification (acceptance), redemption & forgiveness in Jesus (Eph. 1:6-7).
7. What is grace? Primarily, grace is to be considered better than you are (accepted because of someone else’s goodness). But Paul says that grace overflowed from heaven toward us in wisdom & prudence. This is the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. So, there is both saving grace & sanctifying grace. Thus, justification by “grace alone” does not distinguish Protestants from Catholics (Prov. 4:6-9; 2 Cor. 9:14; Eph. 1:6-8, 16; Heb. 10:29). See https://youtu.be/4TCxH36ovC0 for an example of using “grace alone” to cover up the real issues.
8. When considering the tense of the verbs used to speak of our election, predestination, justification, redemption, and forgiveness what must we conclude? Since the verbs are all in the past tense, we must conclude that these things were already settled for us before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:3-7).
9. Does this mean that God decided who he would save and who he would damn before the foundation of the world? In a certain sense, yes. Before the foundation of the world God decided he would save everyone found in Christ & damn everyone found outside of his Son (John 1:4; 2 Tim. 1:9; 1 John 5:12; Rev. 17:8).
10. What is God’s ultimate goal for humanity? It is God’s purpose to impart every spiritual blessing to those who remain in Christ & to unite them with him who is their living head (Acts 3:19-21; Eph. 1:9-10).
Bi-focal Inheritance
11. In Ephesians 1:11 what else are we told that we have in Christ? Those found in Christ are not only elected, predestinated, accepted, & redeemed, they also now have an inheritance (Eph. 5:11).
12. What is the inheritance of those found in Christ? Primarily Jesus is our inheritance, but with him comes eternal life, final salvation, & innumerable other blessings (Rom. 8:32; 1 Cor. 2:9; Eph. 1:11-12, 22; 1 Tim. 6:17; 1 John 5:11).
13. Whose inheritance does Ephesians 1:18 speak about? God’s people are the inheritance that Jesus is waiting to receive (Deut. 32:9; Zech. 2:12; Eph. 1:18).
14. What is becoming obvious about the future of Christ and the church in the first chapter of Ephesians? It is obvious that God intends that a redeemed humanity will be the bride for his Son who pays the bride-price with his own blood (2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 1:14; 5:22-27).
The Order of Salvation
15. In Ephesians 1:13 what three elements of salvation does Paul mention? The three elements of salvation are “believing,” “hearing,” & “sealing.” (Eph. 1:13).
16. What order of salvation does Paul give to “believing,” “hearing,” and “sealing”? Paul places “hearing” as a prerequisite to “believing” & “believing” as a prerequisite to being sealed with the Holy Spirit (Rom. 10:14; Eph. 1:13).
17. What important doctrine is established by Paul’s “order of salvation”? Paul’s order of salvation establishes the truth that faith alone brings the indwelling gift of the Holy Spirit & not the opposite. This illustrates that “sanctifying grace” does not precede “saving grace” (Rom. 5:28; 8:9; Gal. 3:14; Eph. 1:13).
18. In Ephesians 1:14 what principle does Paul establish? Here Paul establishes that the gift of the Holy Spirit is like a downpayment & promise of future glory: an initial seal (early rain) to be followed by a final seal (latter rain) for those who have endured in faith to the end (2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:14; 4:30; Jam. 5:7; Rev. 7:3).
