1 Ephesians - Christ and the Church

2 Chapter Two... Verses The Church - God’s Universal Habitation  Once again, Paul reminds these Gentile converts of how far they had come in their spiritual progress.  Disadvantages God had overcome in justifying the Gentiles: a. They were “called” the uncircumcision by the circumcision. b. They were “without” Christ. c. They were “aliens” from the commonwealth of Israel.

3 Ephesians - Christ and the Church Chapter Two... Verses The Church - God’s Universal Habitation  Once again, Paul reminds these Gentile converts of how far they had come in their spiritual progress.  Disadvantages God had overcome in justifying the Gentiles: d.They were strangers from the covenants of promise. e.They had no hope because they were “without God” in the world.

4 Ephesians - Christ and the Church Chapter Two... Verses The Church - God’s Universal Habitation  Once again, Paul reminds these Gentile converts of how far they had come in their spiritual progress.  Disadvantages God had overcome in justifying the Gentiles: f. But Now - something supernatural had occurred to give hope to the hopeless. g. Christ’s blood did what nothing else could do.

5 Ephesians - Christ and the Church Chapter Two... Verses The Church - God’s Universal Habitation  Once again, Paul reminds these Gentile converts of how far they had come in their spiritual progress.  Disadvantages God had overcome in justifying the Gentiles: h.Although redemption was made possible for all men by Christ’s blood sacrifice, none are justified without complying with God’s requirements to access the benefits of the cross. i.“Leveling the playing field” for the Gentiles was an integral part of the Lord’s “mystery” (1:9).

6 Ephesians - Christ and the Church Chapter Two... Verses The Church - God’s Universal Habitation  Once again, Paul reminds these Gentile converts of how far they had come in their spiritual progress.  Disadvantages God had overcome in justifying the Gentiles: j. Paul had dealt in previous statements with the contrast between the spiritual advantages of the Jews and the disadvantages of the Gentiles. k. Now, Paul continues to turn from contrasts to comparisons (vs ).

7 Ephesians - Christ and the Church Chapter Two... Verses The Church - God’s Universal Habitation  Once again, Paul reminds these Gentile converts of how far they had come in their spiritual progress.  Disadvantages God had overcome in justifying the Gentiles: l.The basic purpose pursued by Paul in Ephesians is to emphasize that a saving relationship with Jehovah is now possible for the Gentiles as well as for the Jews. m.Understanding the nature of Lord’s church unravels the “mystery” of the ages.

8 Ephesians - Christ and the Church Chapter Two... Verses The Church - God’s Universal Habitation  Once again, Paul reminds these Gentile converts of how far they had come in their spiritual progress.  Disadvantages God had overcome in justifying the Gentiles: n. God’s “mystery” is revealed in the church because it solves all the problems associated with bringing all redeemed people into the same unity that is basic to the nature of the Divine Three. o. The church is (verses 19-22)...