Lesson 1334

(Lesson 1334)(05-26-15) Ephesians 3:8-12

"Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him."

In today's lesson Paul establishes that until the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God's plan of eternal salvation was a "mystery" that was "hid" in God not yet known to anyone, either Jew or Gentile.

In the last part of today's quote, Paul relates how the "mystery" of His divine operation became, is now, revealed by faith in Jesus Christ, to those who seek it; "According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness AND ACCESS WITH CONFIDENCE BY FAITH IN HIM."

This lesson, to some, might make it seem that there was no salvation available for those who died before Jesus came. In the literal sense of the word that is true because their salvation was not delivered until the ascension of Jesus. However, in fact, those ancient saints could be, as many were, saved by faith just as the willing are today, knowing that God would come through on His promise to provide a savior. The ancient saints were saved by grace, through faith, just as believers are today.~