Bible Study: Ephesians Part I

Ephesians Chapter 1

We continue studying through Paul's Grace Curriculum with his letter to the Ephesians where we'll begin by looking at how the Ephesian church was founded. We'll talk about the now obvious fact that Paul's letters often addressed two differing sets of believers: Jews saved under the prophetic kingdom program, and gentiles (and Jews) saved under the grace program.

We prove from the scripture that the notion of Apostolic Succession is a myth and a fraud, (God was the only one who ever chose apostles). And we observe the pattern for preaching God provided for us in Paul, (There is a God, and you need Him to save you from your sin). If a preacher leaves out the "sin" part, he's preaching a dangerous false gospel!

We discuss "predestinated" versus "predestined", Calvinism, Arminianism and Open Theism, Dispensationalism and how the Body of Christ cannot be a "Plan-B" since it was predestinated before the foundation of the world.

We introduce the scriptural backing for the idea that God's foreknowledge does not include knowing who will go to heaven or hell, (or even what you'll eat for breakfast tomorrow), but it likely did include the knowledge of a fall, (if not the particular timing of THE fall) and sin and death, and the requirement for redemption. But even so - before God created He was able to foresee every event and eventuality, and prepare a manifold plan to have the glorious victory.

We discuss the predestination of the blood of Christ, forgiveness of sins, grace, riches, wisdom, prudence and The Mystery. We'll get the biblical definitions of being "sealed" and what it means that the Holy Spirit is given as "the earnest" toward the day of redemption. We'll discuss what is means that we are "adopted" and what event is described as "the adoption."

Hear about the power of the gospel Paul talked about in Corinthians being wisdom, enlightenment, knowledge of God and revelation! And how walking in these puts that power on display. Finally we look at what might be meant by the prophecy that the "increase" of the Lord's Kingdom, and it's peace will never end. How could it keep increasing for ever in a finite universe? We have one suggestion.