Monday, May 25, 2015

Lesson 1332

(Lesson 1332)(05-24-15) Ephesians 2:11-22

"Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."



In today's quote Paul again expresses that, since the resurrection of Jesus Christ, there is no difference between the Jew and the saved Gentile. Those of us whom have accepted His extreme sacrifice, both Jew and Gentile, have become, with Jesus, the children of God.

This lesson also disavows the contention that the Jewish race are still to be considered God's "chosen" people. Paul made it very clear that the saved Gentiles are, in the sight of God, on even standing with the Jews. All who believe in Him are now the children of God. One can be no more "chosen" than that. Speaking expressly of the Gentile Christians at Ephesus, Paul said; "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who HATH MADE BOTH ONE, AND HATH BROKEN DOWN THE MIDDLE WALL OF PARTITION BETWEEN US; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for TO MAKE OF HIMSELF ONE NEW MAN, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.~

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