The document discusses the themes of unity in the church as described in Ephesians, focusing on the reconciliation between Jewish and Gentile converts. It highlights the previous exclusion of Gentiles from God's promises and their current inclusion through faith in Christ, who abolishes barriers and creates a new collective identity. Additionally, it presents metaphors of unity, likening the church to a kingdom, a family, and a spiritual temple.

1. #6
Ephesians
The Basis for Unity in the Church
forBeginners
Mike Mazzalongo
BibleTalk.tv

2. Review
Paul describes the spiritual blessings
God gives to the church
Reminds them how God has expressed
His mercy in saving them on the basis of
faith, not perfectionism

3. Universal Nature of the Church
Major fault-line of division in the church was
between the Jewish and Gentile converts

4. Position of Gentiles Before God-
A. Uncircumcised
11 Therefore remember that formerly you,
the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called
“ Uncircumcision” by the so-called
“Circumcision,” which is performed in the
flesh by human hands—
- Eph. 2:11

5. Position of Gentiles Before God
A. Uncircumcised
B. Excluded
12 remember that you were at that time
separate from Christ, excluded from the
commonwealth of Israel
- Eph. 2:12a

6. A. Uncircumcised
B. Excluded
C. Strangers
“..and strangers to the covenants of promise”
- Eph. 2:12b
Position of Gentiles Before God

7. A. Uncircumcised
B. Excluded
C. Strangers
D. Hopeless
“..having no hope and without God in the world.”
- Eph. 2:12c
Position of Gentiles Before God

8. Relationship Between Jew & Gentile
The Jews either copied
(Idolatry) the Gentiles or
completely rejected them.

9. Relationships between Jewish & Gentile converts to Judaism
Shared a religion but
did not share a life

10. Relationships between Jewish & Gentile converts to Christianity
A. Jews & Gentiles United to God.
- Eph. 2:13-16

11. Relationships between Jewish & Gentile converts to Christianity
13 But now in Christ Jesus you
who formerly were far off have been
brought near by the blood of Christ.
- Eph. 2:13

12. Relationships between Jewish & Gentile converts to Christianity
14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups
into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing
wall,15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which
is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances,
so that in Himself He might make the two into one
new man, thus establishing peace,
- Eph. 2:14-15

13. Relationships between Jewish & Gentile converts to Christianity
16 and might reconcile them both in one
body to God through the cross, by it
having put to death the enmity.
- Eph. 2:16

14. Relationships between Jewish & Gentile converts to Christianity
B. Jews & Gentiles United to Each Other
- Eph. 2:17-18

15. Relationships between Jewish & Gentile converts to Christianity
17 AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU
WHO WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE TO THOSE
WHO WERE NEAR; 18 for through Him we both
have our access in one Spirit to the Father.
- Eph. 2:17-18

16. Relationships between Jewish & Gentile converts to Christianity
C. Three Images of Unity
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,
but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are
of God’s household, 20 having been built on the
foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ
Jesus Himself being the cornerstone,
- Eph. 2:19-20

17. Relationships between Jewish & Gentile converts to Christianity
21 in whom the whole building, being fitted
together, is growing into a holy temple in
the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being
built together into a dwelling of God in the
Spirit.
- Eph. 2:21-22

18. Images of Unity
1. Kingdom of Saints
2. Family /Household
3. Spiritual Temple

19. Images of Unity
Paul explains the universal nature of the
church by outlining the way God has
brought together the most disparate
groups at that time, Jews & Gentiles.