Ephesians Study Lesson 4

This lesson we went over Ephesians 1:1-11 again. Basically this will  be a small overview with some new stuff.

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

² Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

⁴ According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

⁵ Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

⁶ To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

⁷ In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

⁸ Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

⁹ Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

¹⁰ That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

¹¹ In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

So who are the saints? Well saints literally means holy ones or those set apart.

Also "Church" means assembly. 

Thus this was sent to an assembly of holy men.

In  verse 2 it says grace(greek)be to you (grace is usually a gift you get that is given even though you have disobeyed) and peace(hebrew)

Ok now for a little change in subject to adoption and predestination.

In the Old Testament, when Abraham had been placed under covenant by God, he had to be circumcised, not only him but all his sons and male servants. you see the covenant was extended to his family and workers. The same applied in the New Testament every-time a specific instance of a baptism is listed it was to him and his household.
All the people had to do was believe, love, and obey Christ.


As we have already covered predestination I'd advise you to look back upon that lesson once you get the chance. Basically God has planned all things, but this does not impare free-will because we do not know His plan.
We were purchased with a price. Purchased not rented or any other nonsense God sends the Holy Spirit to take reign of your life steering you in the right direction. We can find some assurance in John 15 verses 3-4,6, and 11

³ Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

⁶ If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

¹¹ These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Ephesians1 is also full of doctrine you must know verses:

4 = Justification

5 = Adoption

6 = reconciliation

7 = redemption

I'm going to give you a link this time so you can learn about the five points of Calvanism.(the five point of Calvanism were made countered the five points of Armenianism and show what is true)

http://calvinistcorner.com/tulip/

Blessings  to you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.