TEACHING NOTES Introduction Last week, we learned that we have brought from death to life. In Christ, we have been made alive with Jesus and raised with Jesus to be seated at the right hand of the Father. We also learned that God saved us by grace through faith to make us into a new creation. Today, we’re going see more about God’s purpose in doing all of this for us. Paul is going to show us that the gospel is not just individual, but also a unifying force that brings reconciliation out of hostility. ​ Ephesians 2:11–12 ESV 11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. Therefore = Refers back to the first ten verses of chapter two. In light of what Paul has said about the Gentiles being in dead in sin but now alive in Christ, there’s a backstory that these Gentiles need to understand. Paul is about to launch into the Old Testament story that has been fulfilled in Christ. Circumcision = In the Old Testament, circumcision was given to Abraham as a sign that one was a member of Israel. This set the men apart (holy/unique) from other nations. Circumcision was part of the Torah law. If Gentiles wanted to become part of Israel, they had to be circumcised and obey the Torah laws. Before Jesus came, to be included in Israel was to be circumcised and to follow the Torah. The New Testament, along with Christian writings afterward, tells us that there was a struggle in the early church between Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians. This is first seen in Acts 15:1-35 when a group of Jewish believers were teaching that Gentiles must be circumcised and obey the Torah laws to be saved. The apostles agreed that this was false teaching and that all people (Jews & Gentiles) are saved by grace through faith. However, even though the issue should have ended in Acts 15, it continued to be a big problem. Paul writes about this issue to the Romans, the Galatians, the Philippians, and possibly in Colossians. Jewish Christians continued to struggle with the transition from law to grace. This is why Paul says that the Jews had labeled the Gentiles as “the uncircumcision” as a derogatory label. Paul’s view of this issue is clear in Gal. 5:2 “if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you” and in Gal. 5:6 “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” Separated from Christ = People who are not “in Christ” are quite obviously separate from Christ. Anyone without faith in Christ are separated from all of the wonderful things Paul has mentioned so far in Ephesians. To refuse faith in Jesus is to refuse everything He has done for us. Alienated from Israel = Because Gentiles were uncircumcised and did not follow the Torah, they were not citizens of Israel. Paul uses the word “commonwealth” to convey citizenship or inclusion in the people group of Israel. Why is this important? In other places Paul describes the Jews as having an advantage because they were in covenant with God and were “entrusted with the oracles [scriptures] of God” (Rom. 3:1-2). Those who were connected to Israel could know God. Gentiles who were not connected to Israel had no way of knowing who God is and what He has done. Also, when Israel was faithful to the covenant it was a much better place to live than other nations who did not have God’s law. Strangers to the covenants = Gentiles who had not converted to Judaism remained outside of God’s “covenants of promise.” God’s covenant with Abraham came in the form of a promise that Israel would be a great nation living in a great land. God’s covenant with Israel at Sinai was a continuation of those promises. The covenants of promise were for Israel and Gentiles were “strangers” to those covenants. Having no hope without God = If Gentiles were “separated from Christ” and “alienated from Israel” and “strangers to the covenants” they have no hope or nothing to look forward to with confidence. Why? Because they are “without God in the world.” Without God, the Creator, the Gentiles were left to their fickle gods who provided no hope to anyone. ​ Ephesians 2:13 ESV 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. But now in Christ = Paul uses the phrase “in Christ” or “in Jesus” or “in the Lord Jesus Christ” 151 times in his letters. In Ephesians, Paul uses these phrases in three important ways: (1) to describe what God has done “in Christ” (2) to describe how believers were dead “in sin” but now alive “in Christ” (3) to describe how believers should live “in Christ.” Therefore, “in Christ” is a declaration of status with God. ​ Ephesians 2:14 ESV 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility He himself is our peace = Peace (eirene in Greek) refers to harmony, rest, tranquility. This peace is two-fold in that Jesus brings us (1) peace with God (Rom. 5:1) and (2) peace with each other. Made us both one = In Christ, there is no longer a distinction between Israel and Gentiles. All people can be God’s people. Paul stresses this point in almost every one of his letters but it continued to be a divisive issue in the church. The dividing wall of hostility = While some believe this is a reference to the veil in the temple, others believe this refers to the wall around the temple that kept Gentiles out of the temple. It could actually be both. When Jesus died, the veil in the temple that kept people out of the Holy of Holies was torn down. This showed that people are no longer kept out of God’s presence. But there was also a dividing wall around the outside of the temple with words of hostility carved into its stones. It is this wall that Paul most likely has in mind. Ephesians 2:15–16 ESV 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. Abolishing the law = Before Jesus came, the Israel was waiting for a new covenant. God had promised in the Old Testament that a new covenant would come (see Jer. 31:31-34). The author of Hebrews quotes Jer. 31:31-34 about this new covenant and concludes, “In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” (Heb. 8:13). Why did God want to abolish the law? Because the old covenant “could never take away sins” (Heb. 10:11). Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection abolished the old covenant and ratified the new covenant. This is why Paul told the Romans, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” (Romans 10:4). One new man in place of the two = Under the old covenant, humanity was divided into Jews and Gentiles. In Christ, God was creating a new humanity without division. God, through Jesus, made the two into one. Reconciled in one body through the cross = This new creation or new humanity is unified as the body of Christ. The veil in the temple was torn down giving individual people access to God and the dividing wall was destroyed giving all people entrance. Those with faith in Jesus become His body on earth. While Jesus was physically on earth He limited Himself to one place at a time. Now, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Jesus is all over the world. ​ Ephesians 2:17–18 ESV 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. Peace = The Gospels tell us that Jesus came to bring peace. When the angels came to the shepherds in Luke 2 to announce the birth of Jesus, the angel said “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased” (Luke 2:14). Jesus taught, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matt. 5:9). The peace of the Gospel is two-fold: (1) we have peace with God (Rom. 5:1) and (2) we have peace within humanity (Eph. 2:14). Access to the Father = Under the old covenant, a person could not have access to God unless they were part of Israel. Under the new covenant, all people can have access to the Father through Christ. Jesus spoke about how Jews and Gentiles would be brought together when He said, “I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd” (John 10:16). Jesus was giving everyone access to the Father. Access to the Father is the most important part of the gospel. This is what the Father always wanted, to be with His people. Jesus once said to His disciples, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (John 14:23). Jesus came to reveal the Father and give us access to His presence. This is why Isaiah calls the Messiah “Immanuel” - God with us. ​ Ephesians 2:19 ESV 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, From strangers to citizens = Without Christ we are left only to be citizens of the kingdoms of the world. Worldly kingdoms are ruled by darkness. But in Christ, “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,” (Col. 1:13). We are now citizens of God’s kingdom. By definition, citizens make up a kingdom, meaning the citizens are the kingdom. This is why John wrote that Jesus “made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father” (Rev. 1:6). As citizens, we are God’s kingdom of priests on the earth (1 Pet. 2:9). From aliens to family = Not only are we citizens of God’s kingdom, we are also members of His household. This is a deeply relational idea. God is our Father and we are members of His family. That family makes a household. This means that we are closer to God than we might think. Paul has already told us in Eph. 2:6 that we have been seating with Christ at the right hand of the Father. That’s really close. That’s a deep relationship. What kind of house is God building? Ephesians 2:20–22 ESV 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. The foundation of the apostles and prophets = God chose and predestined the Jewish apostles to spread the gospel so that we could be included (Eph. 1:3-14). These apostles and prophets are the foundation of God’s household. They were the first to believe and learn from Jesus directly. Their teaching and writings give us the foundation to build on. The apostles as the foundation is also seen in John’s vision of the new Jerusalem in the new creation (Rev. 21:14). Jesus himself being the cornerstone = The cornerstone was the first and most important stone laid in a new building. Proper placement of a cornerstone ensured a straight and level foundation. In the same way, Jesus must have proper placement in the church. If Jesus is not the cornerstone and the apostles are not the foundation, the rest of the house cannot be built properly or even at all. A dwelling place for God = With Jesus as the cornerstone and the apostles as the foundation, God is building us into a holy temple where He can dwell. Notice here, as in Eph. 1:3-14, Paul speaks of two groups: (1) apostles and prophets built into a temple and (2) you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God. Review: In Christ, we have been brought near to God. In Christ, we are one people of God. In Christ, we are God’s kingdom and temple. Conclusion With all of that good news, we should respond with worship and communion. As we pray and sing, let’s remind ourselves of what Jesus has done for us and take Him in to dwell with us.