Paul’s Apostolic Tidings (Eph. 1:1-2)
Ephesians on F.I.R.E. Bible Study • Sermon • Submitted
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Personal: Devotions & Prayer
Personal: Devotions & Prayer
Did you read all 7 devotions and Bible Passages from Devotions on F.I.R.E. last week?
What did you learn from your devotions?
What are you praying about?
Any answered prayers?
Public: Service & Witnessing
Public: Service & Witnessing
Did you read all 7 devotions and Bible Passages from Devotions on F.I.R.E. last week?
How did you serve inside of church last week?
What did you learn from your devotions?
What did you learn from your devotions?
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How did you serve outside of Church last week?
What are you praying about?
What are you praying about?
How did you serve outside of Church last week?
Did you witness to anyone last week?
Any answered prayers?
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Did you witness to anyone last week?
`Did you witness to anyone last week?
Ephesians on F.I.R.E. Introduction to Ephesians on F.I.R.E.
familiarity
Familiarity
Familiarity
Why does Paul start by introducing himself?
• Does anything seem unusual to you? For instance, do you customarily introduce yourself at the beginning of correspondence that you write?
Who is Paul and what does it mean that he’s an apostle of Jesus Christ?
Who is Paul?
• Who is Paul and what does it mean that he’s an apostle of Jesus Christ?
What does it mean that Paul is an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God?
What does the word “saints” mean?
Interpretation
Interpretation
Where was Ephesus and what should I know about it?
What do we know about the Ephesian Church?
Why does Paul desire to impart grace and peace from God and the Lord Jesus Christ?
Relationship
Interpretation
Interpretation
Question #1: Why does Paul start by introducing himself?
Question #1: Why does Paul start by introducing himself?
Pastor Burge writes;
First century epistle greetings by the writer occurred at the beginning of the letter where he introduced himself.
Employment
Employment
Employment
First century epistle greetings by the writer occurred at the beginning of the letter where he introduced himself.
First century epistle greetings by the writer occurred at the beginning of the letter where he introduced himself.
First century epistle greetings by the writer occurred at the beginning of the letter where he introduced himself.
Ken Burge Sr. (n.d.). Ephesians on F.I.R.E.
Ken Burge Sr. (2015). Ephesians on F.I.R.E. (print, p. 17) DeepRiver Books.
First century epistle greetings by the writer occurred at the beginning of the letter where he introduced himself.
Paul wrote 13 epistles (or letters) that we have in the New Testament. Each letter starts with the same word: Paul
1). Romans
1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God
2). 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians
1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother
1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother
3). 2 Corinthians
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:
4). Galatians
Ken Burge Sr. (n.d.). Ephesians on F.I.R.E.
Grace to you and peace. A common greeting in the early church
1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),
MacArthur, J., Jr. (Ed.). (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed., p. 1803). Nashville, TN: Word Pub.
5). Ephesians
2). 1 Corinthians
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:
To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:
6). Philippians
3). 2 Corinthians
Philippians
1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
7). Colossians
Colossians
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
8). 1 Thessalonians
2). 1 Corinthians
1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
9). 2 Thessalonians
3). 2 Corinthians
1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:
To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
10). 1 Timothy
4). Galatians
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
1 Timothy
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,
11). 2 Timothy
5). Ephesians
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:
12). Titus
6). Philippians
1 Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness,
13). Philemon
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer,
To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer,
All references taken from The New King James Version. (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
It is essential to understand that all of Paul’s letters start with his name. This simple statistic helps the Church to understand which letters he wrote. For instance, some theologians have claimed that Paul wrote the book of Hebrews - however Hebrews does not start with an introduction from Paul which implies he did not write it.
Paul in his wisdom signed each letter he penned. Perhaps he wanted to remove the threat of false teachers who could write false epistles in his name. He dictated most of his letters but would sign each one. He makes this very clear in
Paul in his wisdom signed each letter he wrote. He wanted to remove the threat of false teachers who could pen false epistles in his name. He dictated most of his letters but would sign each one. He makes this very clear in
17 The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write.
17 The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write.
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Therefore, Paul started this letter with his name to verify that he was the author thus giving the letter Apostolic authority.
Peter also did the same in 1st and 2nd Peter, as well as Jesus’ half brothers James & Jude.
Peter also did the same in 1st and 2nd Peter, as well as Jesus’ half-brothers James & Jude.
Question #2: Who is Paul
Question #2: Who is Paul
Paul is a central figure in the New Testament. Paul could be defined as:
“[An] Outstanding missionary, theologian, and writer of the early church. Paul is a very important figure in the NT and in the history of Christianity. He wrote 13 epistles that comprise almost one-fourth of the NT. Approximately 16 chapters of the book of Acts (13–28) focus on his missionary labors. Thus Paul is the author or subject of nearly one-third of the NT and the most important interpreter of the teachings of Christ and of the significance of His life, death, and resurrection.”
Outstanding missionary, theologian, and writer of the early church. Paul is a very important figure in the NT and in the history of Christianity. He wrote 13 epistles that comprise almost one-fourth of the NT. Approximately 16 chapters of the book of Acts (13–28) focus on his missionary labors. Thus Paul is the author or subject of nearly one-third of the NT and the most important interpreter of the teachings of Christ and of the significance of His life, death, and resurrection.
Quarles, C. L. (2003). Paul. In C. Brand, C. Draper, A. England, S. Bond, E. R. Clendenen, & T. C. Butler (Eds.), Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (p. 1254). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
Paul defines himself as a zealous, well-educated Law abiding Jew. He writes,
5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
The Mishnah taught: “At five years old [one is fit] for the Scripture, at ten years for the Mishnah, at thirteen for [the fulfilling of] the command- ments, at fifteen for the Talmud, at eighteen for the bride-chamber, at twenty for pursuing [a calling], at thirty for authority, at forty for discern- ment...” Paul being a “Hebrew of the Hebrews” was likely very skilled and throughly knew scripture.
The Mishnah taught: “At five years old [one is fit] for the Scripture, at ten years for the Mishnah, at thirteen [for the fulfilling of] the commandments, at fifteen for the Talmud, at eighteen for the bride-chamber, at twenty for pursuing a calling, at thirty for authority.” This is probably a fairly accurate description of the regimen of training that Paul experienced.
Pastor Burge writes,
Danby, H. (1933). The Mishnah. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
Dr. Ken Burge Sr writes,
The law keeping, ill-treating church antagonist originally answered to the name Saul. In , he exuded a Type A personality whose zeal was misguided. Luke, the author of Acts, portrays his conversion as follows in :
The law keeping, ill-treating church antagonist originally answered to the name Saul. In , he exuded a Type A personality whose zeal was misguided. Luke, the author of Acts, portrays his conversion as follows in :
Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. And as he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” Se he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
Paul’s eight-word query (Lord, what do You want me to do?) drastically changed the course of church history. Jesus planned to extensively use this Type A personality...
Ken Burge Sr. (2015). Ephesians on F.I.R.E. (print, p. 17) DeepRiver Books.
Paul would become a great man of God who would undertake three missionary journeys and even preach the gospel in Rome! Where does Paul’s letter to the Ephesians fit in (chronologically) with his life’s story?
Here’s a slide with Paul’s timeline
Slide
Paul not only had zeal for the Lord - he also bore wounds to prove it. Paul was a battled tested veteran of the faith. The Ephesians were probably familiar with Paul’s letter to the Corinthian Church which he wrote at least 5 years before Ephesians.;
23 Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.
23 Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
A non-biblical, Gnostic writing filled with heresy from the 2nd century, “The Acts of Paul and Thecla” gives a physical description of Paul;
“a man small of stature, with a bald head and crooked legs, in a good state of body, with eyebrows meeting and nose somewhat hooked, full of friendliness; for now he appeared like a man, and now he had the face of an angel”
“a man small of stature, with a bald head and crooked legs, in a good state of body, with eyebrows meeting and nose somewhat hooked, full of friendliness; for now he appeared like a man, and now he had the face of an angel”
“a man small of stature, with a bald head and crooked legs, in a good state of body, with eyebrows meeting and nose somewhat hooked, full of friendliness; for now he appeared like a man, and now he had the face of an angel”
However, this description could be the “writer’s imagination” (as is the rest of his book) - but it is still interesting to note.
You could spend a lifetime studying the life and doctrine of Paul and still not fully understand the man. However, this information gave you the basics of this complex man of God. So when the church recieved a letter from Paul - they took it seriously!
Question #3: What does it mean that Paul is an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God?
Question #3: What does it mean that Paul is an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God?
What does it mean that Paul is an apostle of Jesus Christ?
Dr. Ken Burge Sr. gives us more details to help us understand this question.
The word “apostle” in the general sense means one sent with a commission. In today’s terms he would fit the role of an ambassador. An ambassador doesn’t operate based upon his own authority but represents the one who sent him.
The word “apostle” in the general sense means one sent with a commission. In today’s terms he would fit the role of an ambassador. An ambassador doesn’t operate based upon his own authority but represents the one who sent him.
The apostle Paul didn’t volunteer for ministry but was drafted for this office “by the will of God.” In , Paul quizzed the Corinthians with four questions—all, which expected a yes response, based upon the Greek. He asked, “Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?”
Ken Burge Sr. (2015). Ephesians on F.I.R.E. (print, p. 18) DeepRiver Books.
It is vital to understand that the office of an Apostle is much more than an Ambassador. John MacArthur addresses the qualifications to be an Apostle.
Peter proposed choosing a new apostle and set the qualifications. Not everyone could be considered for an apostleship. Candidates needed to have been with Jesus during the whole three years that Jesus was among them. That is, he needed to be an eyewitness of Jesus’ baptism when the Heavenly Father validated Jesus’ person and work. He needed to have heard Jesus’ life-changing teachings and been present to see His healings and other miracles. He needed to have witnessed Jesus sacrifice Himself on the cross and to have seen Jesus walk, talk, and eat among the disciples again after His resurrection.
MacArthur, J. (2006). Twelve ordinary men: How the Master shaped his disciples for greatness, and what He wants to do with you. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
MacArthur goes on to say
While Paul never claimed to be included among the original twelve, believers have recognized that Jesus appointed him as His special apostle to the Gentiles (; ; ). There are others in the early church referred to as “apostles” (, ; ; ), but only in the sense that they were appointed, authorized, and sent by churches on special errands. These individuals bore the title “apostle” in a limited sense and did not possess all the qualifications of apostleship that the original twelve and Paul did.
MacArthur, J. (2006). Twelve ordinary men: How the Master shaped his disciples for greatness, and what He wants to do with you. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
Therefore, Paul was chosen by Jesus Christ to be an Apostle - He had seen the risen Lord, and like the 12 was commissioned by Jesus Himself! He wielded the authority of an Apostle which gave his words great weight (they were also inspired by the Holy Spirit which made them scripture.)
Question #4: What does the word “saints” mean?
Question #4: What does the word “saints” mean?
The word saint means “Holy Ones”
The Greek word used here, hagioi, refers to those who are set apart or who belong to God, not to the moral quality of being without sin.
The Greek word used here, hagioi, refers to those who are set apart or who belong to God, not to the moral quality of being without sin.
In the ot, this designation is reserved for angels or members of the covenant community (see ; , ). Here, Paul applies the term to Gentile believers who—he will argue later—are now incorporated into the people of God (; ).
Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Wiersbe, using Humor and his vast warehouse of wisdom explains this word in much more detail.
Are you surprised to find Paul addressing his letter to saints? After all, saints are dead people who have achieved such spiritual eminence that they have been given that special title, saints. Or are they?
Are you surprised to find Paul addressing his letter to saints? After all, saints are dead people who have achieved such spiritual eminence that they have been given that special title, saints. Or are they?
No word in the New Testament has suffered more than this word saint. Even the dictionary defines a saint as a “person officially recognized for holiness of life.” Who makes this official recognition? Usually some religious body, and the process by which a person becomes a saint is technically known as canonization. The deceased person’s life is examined carefully to see whether he qualifies for sainthood. If the candidate’s character and conduct are found to be above reproach, if he has been responsible for working at least two miracles, then he is qualified to be made a saint.
As interesting as this procedure is, we do not find it authorized in the Bible. Nine times in this brief letter, Paul addresses his readers as saints (, , ; ; , ; ; ; ). These saints were alive, not dead, though once they had been “dead in trespasses and sins” (). And it is clear that they had never performed any miracles, though they had experienced a miracle by trusting Christ as Saviour (). The word saint is simply one of the many terms used in the New Testament to describe “one who has trusted Jesus Christ as Saviour.” The person is “alive,” not only physically, but also spiritually (). You will find Christians called disciples (, , , , , ), people of the Way () and saints (, , ).
The word saint means “one who has been set apart.” It is related to the word sanctified, which means “set apart.” When the sinner trusts Christ as his Saviour, he is taken out of “the world” and placed “in Christ.” The believer is in the world physically, but not of the world spiritually (). Like a scuba diver, he exists in an alien environment because he possesses special equipment—in this case, the indwelling Holy Spirit of God. Every true believer possesses the Holy Spirit (; ), and it is through the Spirit’s power that the Christian is able to function in the world.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 8–9). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
These saints are Christians who have been set apart by God - for His glory. In other words - His Church!
Question #5: Where was Ephesus and what should I know about it?
Question #5: Where was Ephesus and what should I know about it?
A detailed description of Ephesus will be presented in the “introduction To Ephesians” in next week’s lesson. But here is some basic information about Ephesus.
On the west coast of Asia Minor. Made the capital of the Roman province of Asia Minor by Augustus (27 bc—ad 14). The city was originally founded ca. 1000 bc by the Greeks. It came under Roman control in 133 bc.
Location
… Ephesus was the third largest city in the Roman empire. Its population is estimated to have been around 250,000 during the time of early Christianity...
...Ephesus was a major commercial port...
Ephesus was the third largest city in the Roman empire. Its population is estimated to have been around 250,000 during the time of early Christianity.
Seal, D. (2016). Ephesus. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, … W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
The people in Ephesus were
Seal, D. (2016). Ephesus. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, … W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
The people in Ephesus worshiped many different gods. This included:
Emperor Worship
The goddess Artemis
The goddess Artemis
Witchcraft & Magic
Witchcraft & Magic
Gnosticism
Gnosticism
Video on Ephesus
Seal, D. (2016). Ephesus. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, … W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Seal, D. (2016). Ephesus. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, … W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Question #6: What do we know about the Ephesian Church?
Question #6: What do we know about the Ephesian Church?
Question #5: Where was Ephesus and what should I know about it?
Question #5: Where was Ephesus and what should I know about it?
Why does Paul desire to impart grace and peace from God and the Lord Jesus Christ?
Question #7: Why does Paul desire to impart grace and peace from God and the Lord Jesus Christ?
Question #7: Why does Paul desire to impart grace and peace from God and the Lord Jesus Christ?