The Messenger 16
Introduction
Although it doesn’t directly impact the message of this letter, it is worth noting that the words ‘in Ephesus’ do not appear in the earliest manuscripts. It suggests that Ephesians was probably intended as a circular letter to the churches in a particular region. The region would most likely have been Asia Minor of which Ephesus would have been a major city.
Now what makes this of interest to us is that the believers in the Asia Minor area would have been predominantly Gentiles. We know from the Book of Acts that in the early church there was considerable tension between Jewish and Gentile believers, particularly among the more conservative Jewish believers. They did not easily embrace their Gentile counterparts as equals.
All of this provides an interesting backdrop for that particular treasure of salvation we shall be looking at in this session. To uncover that treasure we turn now to verses 12- 13a.
“In order that we (Jewish believers) who were the first to hope in Christ might be for the praise of his glory. And you (Gentile believers) also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth…..”
Take note of the phrases I have underlined in this passage.
Included
For the Jewish believers of that time it required a major shift in mindset to view Gentile believers as co-equals and co-heirs of God’s Kingdom. After all Jewish believers could point back to a rich background that identified them as the chosen people of God. They believed in One God, Jehovah, and one God only. This God had made Himself known to His people through the events of their history, delivered them from captivity, bound Himself to them in a Covenant, required His people to be circumcised in response to that Covenant, and given the Law to His people which regulated almost every aspect of their life. All of these factors had set Jews apart from Gentiles for centuries. Now suddenly the Gospel was going to change all that. It was a bridge too far for some.
Even Peter and Barnabas succumbed to pressure from the conservatives to separate themselves from the Gentile believers. Barnabas and Peter’s change of attitude towards Gentile believers did not go unchallenged however. Paul, although he had not been one of the original twelve disciples, did not hesitate to challenge Peter to his face on the matter (Gal 2:11ff).
The division between believers today is even more complicated than the original division between Jewish and Gentile believers. They encompass a far wider spectrum of divisive factors. Historical, cultural, political, social, theological, racial, geographical, traditional factors all contribute to the divisions within the 21st century Church. To say that these divisions have brought the Gospel into disrepute would be an understatement. The divisions undermine the preaching of the Gospel and leave the outsider either confused or amused. “See how these Christians love one another” is the derisive phrase used by outsiders against Christianity today. It is a phrase used by Tertullian in the 3rd century A.D. who was describing how outsiders saw the Christians:
“Look,” they say, “how they love one another” (for they themselves hate one another); “and how they are ready to die for each other (for they themselves are readier to kill each other).”
My wife and I have five children who are very different from each other in so many ways. Outside of their family ties they have little in common when it comes to their personal tastes, their likes and dislikes and how each runs his or her home. However, there is something stronger that binds them together and holds them together – something stronger than all the differences that would divide them. They share the blood ties of a common family and they love one another. And that brings enormous joy to my wife and I when we see how they are to each other. If someone in the family has a need they will reach out to help. If someone is feeling down they will reach out to encourage. If one member of the family upsets another they will ultimately forgive.
It is against this background that we begin to understand the real value of the treasure of our inclusion in the family of God. Unity, and let’s not confuse the term with uniformity, is an important element in Ephesians. The key to that unity lies in the phrase ‘in Christ’ or ‘in union with Christ.’ It is a phrase that Paul uses frequently in Ephesians signalling its importance in the Gospel. It is in our union with Jesus Christ that we are brought together from our disparate backgrounds into the one family of God, the Church.
The Church today may have taken on a great variety of local forms and expressions. Among all the churches in your town or city there may be a variety of different traditions, theologies, worship styles, emphases, likes and dislikes. But whatever the differences between the churches ‘there is only one Body and one Spirit – just as we were called into one hope when we were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all (Eph 4: 4-6).”
For Paul the one thing that defines our inclusion in the true church is not our race, our denominational allegiance, our local church heritage, our traditions, our culture, our worship style or even our theology. It is whether we are in Christ; whether we have heard the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation, and believed. If we have then we are included in Christ – none more blessed or privileged than another. Together we are God’s possession.
Here lies the basis for the only unity that counts with God. It is the unity that results from our being in Christ – in union with Jesus Christ.
What a wonderful and powerful witness to the Gospel if we could look upon those of other denominations and see not the things that would divide us but the blood ties that unite us. Our unity comes from our having been included in Christ, bound together by the ties of His blood. Let those blood ties be expressed in a genuine love for one another.
If you have a question or a comment about this series please feel free to write to me, Brian, at
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