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Ephesians 1:1-2

Ephesians 1:1-2

by John Allen · 88 things on Twos

Explanation
“Paul (a Roman name), an apostle of Jesus Christ”
Definition of an apostle (R. Haldane - biblehub. com)
He who had seen the Lord after His resurrection (I Corinthians 9:1)
He who had received his commission directly from Jesus Christ and God the Father (Galatians 1:1)
He who possessed the signs of an apostle (II Corinthians 12:12)
He who had received the knowledge of the Gospel, not through any man, or by external means, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:11,12)
“By the will of God”
It was God’s will for Paul to be an apostle
Paul did not elect himself but was elected by God
Paul would have not chosen Christ without the Damascus Road encounter
Paul sought to crucify Christ but Christ chose Paul regardless
Paul was not chosen by others but by God
Paul was despised and feared by the followers of Christ; they would not have chosen him.8
“To the saints which are at Ephesus”
Writing unto the saved brother and sisters - the Church
"In Roman Catholic theology, the saints are in heaven. In the Bible, the saints are on earth. In Roman Catholic teaching, a person does not become a saint unless he/she is “beatified” or “canonized” by the Pope or prominent bishop. In the Bible, everyone who has received Jesus Christ by faith is a saint. In Roman Catholic practice, the saints are revered, prayed to, and in some instances, worshiped. In the Bible, saints are called to revere, worship, and pray to God alone." - gotquestions.org
Ephesus = the great metropolis of Asia
Comprised of both Jews and Gentiles
Ephesus was known for their wastefulness when it came to resources
“And to the faithful in Christ Jesus"
To the church at large
"In Christ Jesus" is the theme of this Epistle
“Grace be to you and peace"
Use in Romans and other Epistles also
A common salutation in that day
An expression of greeting with every kind of favor, blessing, and good
Grace = the free, unpurchased, everlasting love and favor of Jehovah, in His threefold character or persons, toward the church in Christ, and from whence all the effects in pardon, mercy, and peace, result. - Robert Hawker on Ephesians 1:2
Peace = the complacency of reconciliation with which He regards His people, but so as to imply also its results in them; repose, serenity of soul; spiritual happiness, in the largest sense. - Notes from the Cambridge Bible
One cannot have this peace without first truly realizing the overwhelming and abundant grace of God.
“From God our Father”
Just as with Christ God the Father is our Father also
Matthew 5
Romans 8
“And from our Lord Jesus Christ”
Christ is not dead but risen!
A salutation from He Who was crucified but now sits at the right hand of God the Father.
Lord Jesus Christ
Lord
Title of ruler.
One Who is to be served.
Jesus
His name
Jehovah is salvation
Christ
The promised One
The anointed One
The Mesiah
Application
"By the Will of God"
Our God is not a manufactured God as was the goddess Diana but the One Who has created all things.
We serve a God Who has a specific will and calling for each of us.
What an awesome and wondrous God is He to have a complete and perfect will for all of His creation.
"In Christ"
In Christ, the saved are secured.
In Christ, the saved are sanctified.
In Christ, the saved are justified.
"Grace and peace"
Our God is the God of grace!
His very nature is grace.
His existence is permeated by His grace.
His every action is a result of His grace.
God's grace is that of unmerited, unpurchased overwhelming love and favor that extends to all of His creation.
The greatest and perfect display of this grace was the Cross of Jesus Christ.
He Who was perfect, Jesus Christ the Son, laid down His life as the atonement for sin. Why? Because of Grace!
No other word for grace but amazing!!
Without a true realization of God's grace one can never know God's peace.
Peace that comes from the truth that God's wrath and judgment is nullified for the born again in the atonement of Christ.
Peace that comes from the truth that a child of God will never know hell.
Hell - the literal place of God's unfiltered wrath and judgment.
Hell - the place where all who die on this earth without Christ as their Savior will suffer for all of eternity the judgment and wrath for their sin.
Peace that comes from the truth that Christ's payment is finished!
Peace that comes from the truth that no matter how we fail Him He has never nor will He ever fail us!
Peace that comes from the truth that in His grace and love, His will for our lives is perfect.
"From God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ"
By His grace we can hear from God and our Lord Jesus Christ through His Word and prayer.
By His grace we can receive peace, of the Heavenly sort, that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
By His grace we can be or have been adopted into the family of God and can dwell with Him as a child does their father.
By His grace we can be or are joint heirs with the Son, Jesus Christ.
Invitation
Do you know God's will for you today?
His primary will is for you to be saved, to be born again, so you will not have to experience His wrath and judgment for all eternity in hell.
His secondary will is specific to you and where He has you now.
Are you doing His will for you?
This will that is perfect.
This will that is specific.
Have you truly realized the everlasting, amazing grace of God and thereby live in His peace?
Are you His child and do you dwell with Him as His child?