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Ephesians
Special Comments

What is an apostle? It is the highest office the church has ever had. NO one today is an apostle in the church today. WHY? Because NO one meet the requirements of an apostle. What are the requirements? #1. The apostles received their commission directly from the living lips of Jesus. Paul made that claim for himself. He wrote: Galatians 1:1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)(KJV)  I think that Paul took the place of Judas. The disciples had selected Mathias, but there is nothing anywhere that I can find, that Christ Jesus ever made Mathias an apostle. All the apostles received their commission directly from the Lord Jesus. #2. All the apostles saw the Saviour after His resurrection. Paul could meet that requirement. #3. The apostles had a special inspiration. They expounded and wrote Scripture (Jn.14:26; 16:13; Eph.1:11-12). Paul certainly measures up to that more than any other apostle. #4. They had supreme authority (Jn.20:22-23; 2 Cor.10:8). #5. The badge of their authority was the power to work miracles (Mk.6:13; Lk.9:1-2; Acts 2:43). There is NO such power given to men today. That was only the badge of an apostle.

What is a mystery in Scripture? It is NOT a whodunit or a mystery story, and it is NOT something you wonder about: Was it the butler who committed the crime? A mystery in Scripture means that God is revealing something, that up to that time, He had not revealed. There are two elements which always enter into a New Testament mystery: #1. It cannot be discovered by man, for it is always a revelation from God; and #2. it is revealed at the right time and not concealed, and enough is revealed to establish the fact without all the details being disclosed.

There are fifteen mysteries in the New Testament:
#1. The mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven (Mat.13:3-50; Mk.4:11; Lk.8:10).
#2. The mystery of His will (Eph.1:9).
#3. The great mystery of Christ and His church (Eph. 5:32; Col.4:3).
#4. The mystery of the Gospel (Eph.6:19). ,
#5. The mystery of Israel's blindness during this age (Rom.11:25).
#6. The mystery of the faith (1 Tim.3:9).
#7. The mystery of the translation of living saints at the end of this age (1 Cor.15:51-52; 1 Thes.4:13-17).
#8. The mystery of the N.T. Church as one body composed of Jews and Gentiles (Eph.3:1-12; 6:19; Rom.16:25; Col.4:3).
#9. The mystery of the Church as the bride of Christ  (Eph.5:23-32).
#10. The mystery of being in Christ (Gal.2:20; Col.1:26-27).
#11.  The mystery of Christ as the incarnate fullness of the Godhead embodied, in whom all the divine wisdom for man subsists (1 Cor.2:7; Col.2:2,9).
#12. The mystery of godlikeness restored to man (1 Tim.3:16).
#13. The mystery of iniquity (2 Thes.2:7; Mat.13:33).
#14. The mystery of the seven stars (Rev.1:20).
#15. The mystery of the woman (Rev.17:5,7).

My friend, even with all these, God has NOT revealed everything to us. There are many things God has NOT told us, because it is not necessary for us to know. When it is necessary, He will reveal them to us.

What does it mean to be lost?

#1. "Without Christ." This is the best definition of a lost man. It is the opposite of being in Christ.
#2. "Aliens from the commonwealth of Israel" or, alienated from the citizenship of Israel. That is the correct definition of a Gentile. The Gentile had no God-given religion like Israel did. They had no right to go back in the Old Testament and take the Promises that God made to Israel and then apply them to themselves. But, consider: Galatians 3:27-29  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (KJV) . . . Christ makes the difference!
#3. "Strangers from the covenants of promise." God had made certain promises to the nation Israel. The covenants which God made with Israel are still valid, but no Gentile has any right to them. God has promised the children of Israel the land of Israel . . . all of it. They will get it someday, but it will be on God's terms, not their terms. http://www.hisservants.org/israel_promised_land_h_s.htm
The Promise Jesus has given to me is, "...I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself: that where I am, there ye may be also" (Jn.14:2-3).
#4. "Having no hope." Consider the religions (cults) of the world. They have NO hope. NO cult can promise resurrection and are very obscure about what happens after death. The cults offer NO hope at all. They insist on rituals and rites which mean nothing in our acquiring eternal life.
#5. "And without God in the world." This does not mean that God has removed Himself from man . . . it means that man has removed himself from God. A man is without God because of choice. He is in the darkness, wandering about with the rest of lost humanity. This is a terrible condition that is not at all necessary! http://www.hisservants.org/truth_about_salvation_h_s.htm

The list of seven of those unities:

#1. One body refers to the total number of believers from Pentecost to the Rapture. This one body is also called the invisible church, but this is not entirely accurate. All TRUE believers should also be visible.
#2. One Spirit refers to the Holy Spirit who baptizes each believer into the body of Christ. The work of the Holy Spirit is to unify believers in Christ. This is the unity that the TRUE believer is commanded to keep.
#3. One hope of your calling refers to the goal set before all TRUE believers. They will be taken out of this world into the Presence of Christ. This is the blessed hope (Tit.2:13).
#4. One Lord refers to the Lord Jesus Christ. His lordship over TRUE believers unity in the church.
#5. One faith refers to the body of truth called the apostles' doctrine (Acts 2:42). When this is denied, there are divisions. There must correct doctrine to unify TRUE believers.
#6. One baptism refers to the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is real baptism. Ritual baptism is by water. Water baptism is just a symbol of the real baptism of the Holy Spirit by which TRUE believers are actually made one.
#7. One God and Father of all refers to God's fatherhood of believers. Since there is only one Father, He is NOT the Father of unbelievers. Being a child in the family of God can come only through Christ Jesus (Jn.1:13-14; 3:3-8; 14:6; Acts 4:12). The unity of TRUE believers produces a sharp division between believers and unbelievers. He is Father of all who are His by regeneration.

OUR POSITION IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES

There are four mentions of the phrase “heavenly places” in Ephesians (Eph.1:3; 1:20; 2:6; 3:10). Some versions say “heavenlies” or “high places.”

The meaning is “above the sky” and  symbolically refers to the spiritual realm of God.
These four verses in Ephesians that speak of the “heavenly places” clearly show us our position and authority in the “spiritual realm” (Kingdom of God).

Each verse speaks of a different feature of these “heavenly places.”

#1. Eph.1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (KJV) . . . The Greek word for “spiritual” here is the same word that Paul used in: 1 Cor.12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. (KJV) . . . God the Father has clearly sown the “heavenly places” with spiritual gifts and blessings for each and every TRUE believer through the redeeming work of Christ Jesus, which makes us complete in Jesus (Col. 2:9-10) and make us “thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim.3:17) “to do His will” (Heb.13:21).
#2. Eph. 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, (KJV) . . . The “spirit of wisdom” and the “revelation in the knowledge of Him” and the “eyes of your understanding being enlightened” are all free gifts from God the Father sown in the heavenly places for all TRUE believers . . . BUT you must “earnestly desire the best gifts.” 1 Cor. 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. (KJV)
In addition, the “exceeding greatness of His power” (Eph.1:19), flows down from God the Father through Christ Jesus “toward us who believe” in the “heavenly places.” This great power has “seated” Jesus “far above” all the power of the enemy (Satan) in this age as well as
in the age to come, putting “all things under His feet” through the church which is His body.
#3. Eph.2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (KJV) . . . These two “togethers” refer to us sharing in (a) Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead; (b) His ascension into Heaven; (c) His present ruling of the world from His throne, at the right Hand of God (Mk.16:19; Lk.22:69; Acts 2:33; 7:55-56; Rom.8:34; Col.3:1; Heb.10:12; 12:2; 1 Pet.3:22).
In the Spirit, we are already seated with Christ in the heavenly places, and only because of Jesus, we have power over the earth and the “prince of power of the air.” Eph. 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: (KJV)
#4. Eph. 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, (KJV) . . . The “manifold wisdom of God” specifically refers to all aspects of His eternal Truth. These are to be “made known by the church” by and through His body. No matter what shortcomings the church might have, we (all TRUE believers) can “access” the Spirit and Truth of God with “boldness” and “confidence.” Eph. 3:11-12 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. (KJV) . . . only through “faith” in Christ Jesus our Lord!

This gives us a striking view of the event of our conversion. It connects that change in us with the amazing miracle which took place in our Redeemer. The one act is a continuation of the other. Our conversion re-enacts in us Christ's crucifixion, resurrection and ascension, when we realize through faith that which was done for mankind in Him (Rom.6:3-5). The redemption which is in Christ Jesus is no mere inheritance, to be received or declined; it is not something done once for all, and left to be taken passively by our individual will. It is a "power of God unto salvation" (Rom.1:16), constantly working and active. It is a supernatural force, which is at work upon us in the Word of Christ. It is a resurrection power, which turns spiritual death into life. It is a power driven by love . . . the same love which went out towards the slain and buried Jesus, when the Father raised Him from the dead, bends over us as we lie in the grave of our sins, and applies itself with a power no less superior, that it may raise us from the dust of death to sit with Him in the heavenly places (Eph.2:4-6)).

Five Groups Who Will NOT Inherit God's Kingdom

#1. Whoremongers . . . male prostitute; a sexually immoral man. Fornicator (1 Cor.5:9-11; 6:9; Heb.12:16). Whoremonger (Eph.5:5; 1 Tim.1:10; Heb.13:4; Rev.21:8; 22:15). 
#2. Unclean persons . . . . homosexual, pervert (Lk.4:33). See #3 in 17 in Works of the flesh. 
#3. Covetous men . . . envy, jealous, greed (Lk.12:15). 
#4. Deceivers . . . cheaters, con artists,  liars, frauds (Eph.5:6; 2 Tim.3:13; Tit.1:10; 3:3; Rev.12:9; 20:3,8). 
#5. Children of disobedience . . . devil’s children, hypocrites, unbelievers (Eph.2:2-3; 5:6; Col.3L6; 1 Cor.6:9).

Seventeen Works of the Flesh

#1. Adultery . . . . unlawful sexual relations between men and women, single or married (Mat.15:19; Mk.7:21; Jn.8:3; Gal.5:19). Forbidden: (Mat.5;27-28; 19:18; Mk.10:19; Lk.16:18; 18:20; Jn.8:4; Jam.2:11).
#2. Fornication . . . same as adultery above including all manner of other unlawful relations (Mat.5:32)..
#3. Uncleanness . . . complete opposite of purity; including sodomy, homosexuality, lesbianism, pederasty, bestiality, and all other forms of sexual perversion (Gal.6:19; Mat.23:27; Rom.1:21-32; 6:19; 2 Cor.12:21; Eph.4:19; 5:3; 1 Thes.2:3; 4:7; 2 Pet.2; Jude).
#4. Lasciviousness . . . immorality, licentiousness, lustfulness, unchastity, and lewdness (Mk.7:22; 2 Cor.12:21; Gal.5:19; Eph.4:19; 1 Pet.4:3; Jude 1:4). Wantonness (Rom.13;13; 2 Pet.2:18) and filthy (2 Pet.2:7). Lasciviousness is promoting or partaking of that which tends to produce lewd emotions, anything tending to nurture sex sin and lust.
#5. Idolatry . . . image-worship, like the Catholics and others. (1 Cor.10:14; Gal.5:20; Col.3:5; 1 Pet.4:3). Idolatry includes ANYTHING on which affections are passionately set; extravagant admiration of the heart (Eph.5:5; Col.3:5).
#6. Witchcraft . . . sorcery, dealing with evil spirits; magical incantations and casting spells and charms upon one by means of drugs and potions of various kinds (Gal.5:20; Rev.9:21; 18:23; 21:8; 22:15). Do NOT mess with the devil! You will lose!
#7. Hatred . . . enmity (Lk.23:12; Rom.8:7; Eph.2:15-16; Jam.4:4);  hatred is the opposite of godly love (Gal.5:20). Bitter dislike, abhorrence, malice and ill will against anyone; tendency to hold grudges against or be angry at someone.
#8. Variance . . . (Rom.1:29). Dissensions, discord, quarreling, debating; and disputes.
#9. Emulations . . . envies, jealousies; determined to excel at the expense of another; trying to surpass and out do others; uncurbed rivalry spirit in religion, business, society, and other fields of endeavor. Zeal (Jn.2:17; Rom.10;2; 2 Cor.7:11; 9:2; Phil.3:6; Col.4:13). Fervent mind (2 Cor.7:7). Envy (Acts 13:45; Rom.13;13; 1 Cor.3:3; 2 Cor.12:20; Jam.3:14-15). Jealousy (2 Cor.11:2). Indignation (Acts 5:17; Heb.10:27). Emulation (Gal.5:20).
#10. Wrath . . . anger, fury, rage. Wrath (Gal.5:20; Lk.4:28; Acts 19:28; 2 Cor.12:20; Eph.4:31; Col.3:8; Heb.11:27; Rev.12:12; 14:8,10,19; 15;1,7; 16:1; 18:3). Indignation (Rom.2:8). Fierceness (Rev.16:19; 19:15). Wrath is raging passions; domestic and civil turmoil; rage; determined and lasting anger.
#11. Strife . . . conflict, contention, fighting (Gal.5:20; 2 Cor.12:20; Phil.2:3; Jam.3:14,16). Contention (Phil.1:16; Rom.2:8). Strife is disputations, jangling; strife about words; angry arguments; fighting for superiority or advantage; determined effort to equal or pay back in kind the wrongs done to one.
#12. Seditions . . . divisions (Rom.16:17; 1 Cor.3:3). Seditions are  parties, and factions (Gal.5:20). It is popular disorder; stirring up strife in religion, government, home, or any other place.
#13. Heresies . . . false doctrine, false teaching (Gal.5:20; 2 Pet.2:1).
#14. Envyings . . .     jealousy, resentment, greed (Gal5:21; Mat.27:18; Mk.15:10; Rom.1:29; Phil.1:15; 1 Tim.6:4; Tit.3:3; Jam.4:5; 1 Pet.2:1). Envy is pain, ill will, and jealousy at the good fortune or blessings of another; the most dishonorable of all degrading and disgraceful passions.
#15. Murders . . . to kill, including abortion. Murder happens when something spoils or mars someone’s happiness. It really is hatred (1 Jn.3:15). Murder starts in the heart (Mat.15:18).
#16. Drunkeness . . .  intoxicated; a slave to drink (Gal.5:21; Lk.21:34; Rom.13:13).
#17. Revellings . . . rioting, rebelling, revolting (Rom.13;13; Gal.5:21; 1 Pet.4:3). Revellings are lascivious and boisterous feastings, with obscene music, and other sinful activities; immoral pleasure; carousing.

Fifteen Commands for TRUE Christians in the Ephesians Chapter 5

#1. Be not partakers with them (verses 5-7).
#2. Walk as children of light (verses 8-9).
#3. Prove what is acceptable to the Lord (verse 10).
#4. Have no fellowship with the works of darkness (verses 11-13).
#5. Reprove the works of darkness (verses 11-13).
#6. Awake from spiritual sleep and death (verse 14).
#7. Walk circumspectly (verse 15).
#8. Walk as wise men (verses 15 & 17).
#9. Redeem the time (verse 16).
#10. Understand the will of God (verse 17).
#11. Be not drunk with wine (verse 18).
#12. Be filled with the Spirit (verse 18).
#13. Enlighten yourselves with hymns and spiritual songs (verse 19).
#14. Give thanks to God in Jesus' Name (verse 20).
#15. Submit yourselves to each other (verse 21).

Four Commands for Wives

#1. Submit to their husbands as to Christ (Eph.5:22).
#2. Recognize the headship of their husbands (Eph.5:24).
#3. Be subject to their husbands (Eph.5:24).
#4. Reverence their husbands (Eph.5:33).

Eight Commands for husbands

1. To be head of the wife (Eph.5:23).
2. To love their wives as Christ loved the Church (Eph.5:25).
3. To love their wives as their own bodies (Eph.5:28,33).
4. To nourish, bring up, care for, protect (Eph.5:29;6:4; Rev.12:6).
5. To cherish, to foster, warm in one's bosom (Eph.5:29; 1 Thes.2:7).
6. To be joined as one flesh (Eph.5:30-31).
7. To leave their parents for their wives (Eph.5:31).
8. To cleave to their wives (Eph.5:31; Mat.19;5).

Sixteen Facts about Christ and the Church
 
#1. Christ is head of the church (Eph.5:23).
#2. Christ is Saviour of it (Eph.5:23).
#3. The church must be subject to Christ in all things (Eph.5:24).
#4. Christ gave Himself for it (Eph.5:25).
#5. Christ sanctifies the church with the washing of the Word (Eph.5:26).
#6. Christ cleanses the church with the washing by the Word (Eph.5:26).
#7. Christ will receive the church to Himself (Eph.5:27; Jn.14:1-3; 1 Thes.4:16; 1 Cor.15:23,51-58; Col.3:4).
#8. Christ is making the church glorious (Eph.5:27; 1 Cor.6:11; 2 Cor.3:18).  
#9. Christ is making it spotless (Eph.5:27).
#10. Christ is making it perfect (Eph.5:27).
#11. Christ is making it holy (Eph.5:27).
#12. Christ is making it spotless (Eph.5:27).
#13. Christ nourishes it (cares for, brings up, protects it (Eph.5:29).
#14. Christ cherishes the church (fosters, warms in His bosom (Eph.5:29).
#15. The church is part of Christ (Eph.5:30-32; 1 Cor.12:12-13,27).
#16. The church is one with Christ (Eph.5:30-32; 1 Cor.6:17; Rom.12:4-5).

Christ is the Head, Saviour, Sanctifier, Purifier, Glorifier, Builder, Nourisher, Cherisher, Unifier, Protector, and the Receiver of the Church (Eph.5:23-33).

Do all Ten Commandments still stand today, or does the Bible indicate that we can now live in willful and deliberate sin? We are saved by the Grace of God through faith in Christ, BUT, is this a license to continue in sin? NO!!! Absolutely NOT!!! Jesus did NOT die on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin or so we could go on living in sin! What is the only source of Truth (God’s Holy Word, the Bible) that we can fully trust, have to say on this very important topic? The above Scriptures should leave NO doubt as to the answers to these questions.

Book of Ephesians

Eph. ch.1 . . Eph. ch.2 . . Eph. ch.3 . . Eph. ch.4 . . Eph. ch.5 . . Eph. ch.6 . . Ephesians Special Comments

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