Ephesians 2:11-18

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The One True Church, The Body of Christ

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. Believers are the body of Christ.
    a. The history of the body
    b. The formation of the body
    1. Now there is no hostility
    2. Now there is one new man
    3. Now there is reconciliation
    4. Now there is access to the Father

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Let’s turn our walls into tables.

QUESTIONS

  1. Of what two groups was the church at Ephesus composed?

  2. How was the great divide between Jews and Gentiles eliminated?

  3. What does the wall of separation allude refer to?

  4. Where in this portion of Scripture do we find both our past status and our present status?

  5. Where in Scripture do we find the basis of the formation of the body? Where do we find the results of the formation of the body?

ANSWERS

  1. Believing Jews and believing Gentiles.

  2. In Christ. He is our peace.

  3. Most likely to the wall in the temple that separated the outer court of the Gentiles from the inner court, which was for Jews only.

  4. Past – Ephesians 2:11-12; present – Ephesians 2:13. In the past the Jews referred to themselves with pride as those of the circumcision, and they referred in a derogatory manner to the Gentiles as the uncircumcised. In the past, without Christ, Gentiles were separated from God’s chosen people, they had no covenant promises from God, they were without hope and without God. But now they are in Christ Jesus, brought near by the blood of Christ.

  5. The basis of the union is found in Ephesians 2:14; the results in 2:15-18. He is our peace and we, both Jews and Gentiles, are made one in Christ Himself.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Discuss the beginning of the Church. What is the Church?

  2. What does it mean to you to have access to the Father?

CHALLENGE

  1. The wall of separation has been replaced by the table of peace in Christ. How does this apply to you?

KEY VERSES

  • “In Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace.” Ephesians 2:13

  • “We have access by one Spirit to the Father.” Ephesians 2:18

Ephesians, New Testament, TalksDeb HarmsEphesians 2:11-18