Introduction to Ephesians 24 September 2006. Basic Background Questions Who? Where? When? What? Why?

Introduction to Ephesians

24 September 2006

Basic Background Questions

Who?

Where?

When?

What?

Why?

Who?

Who wrote Ephesians?

Whom was Ephesians written to?

Where & When?

Where were the Ephesians?

When did Paul visit Ephesus?

Where and when did Paul write the letter?

IconiumIconiumAntioch (Pisidian)Antioch (Pisidian)

AntiochAntioch

LystraLystra

DerbeDerbe

Mediterranean SeaMediterranean Sea

CyprusCyprus

SeleuciaSeleucia

SalamasSalamas

PaphosPaphos

AttaliaAttaliaPergaPerga

1st Missionary JourneyActs 13 & 14

Modern Day TurkeyModern Day Turkey

Satellite Image - NASA

© EBibleTeacher.com

Paul-1st Missionary Journey

A.D. 45-47

Paul-2nd Missionary Journey

2nd Missionary Journey2nd Missionary Journey

JerusalemJerusalemEgyptEgypt

Paul’s JourneysPaul’s JourneysRome PhilippiPhilippi

CorinthCorinth

ThessThessAthensAthens

CaesareaCaesarea

EphesusEphesus

IsraelIsrael

© EBibleTeacher.com

Mediterranean Sea

A.D. 50-54, Acts 15-18

(short time)

Paul-3rd Missionary Journey

Paul’s 3rd Journey

3rd Missionary Journey3rd Missionary Journey

IsraelIsraelJerusalemJerusalem

EgyptEgypt

Paul’s JourneysPaul’s JourneysRome

AntiochAntioch

PhilippiPhilippi

CorinthCorinth

ThessThessAthensAthens

CaesareaCaesarea

EphesusEphesus

© EBibleTeacher.com

Mediterranean Sea(2 years)

A.D. 54-58, Acts 18-21

Paul- Journey to Rome

Paul’s Journey to Rome

INDEX

Paul’s Journey to RomePaul’s Journey to Rome

JerusalemJerusalemEgyptEgypt

Paul’s JourneysPaul’s JourneysRome

CorinthCorinth

IsraelIsraelCaesareaCaesarea

MaltaMalta(Shipwreck)(Shipwreck)

© EBibleTeacher.com

Mediterranean Sea

A.D. 60, Acts 27,28

9Paul’s Letters to

ChurchesINDEX

IsraelIsrael

EgyptEgypt

RomeRome PhilippiPhilippi

CorinthCorinth

ThessalonicaThessalonica

EphesusEphesus

© EBibleTeacher.com

GalatiaGalatiaColosseColosse

Paul’s Letters to Paul’s Letters to ChurchesChurches

Mediterranean Sea

10

7 Churches of Asia7 Churches of Asia

1 Pergamos1 Pergamos2 Thyatira2 Thyatira3 Sardis3 Sardis4 Smyrna4 Smyrna5 Philadelphia5 Philadelphia6 Ephesus6 Ephesus7 Laodicea7 Laodicea

1122

3344

66 5577

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7 Churches of Asia (Revelation)

What?

What does the letter say?

What are the important truths we find in this letter?

Important Truths Election

Sealed

“In Christ”

Significance

Wealth

Glory of God

Prayer

Election Paul begins with a heavy emphasis on

election, because it is foundational to everything else he has to say in the letter

Election is essential to security in Christ

My position in Christ is 100% dependent upon whether God elected me or not.

Therefore, when I experience pain and suffering, I know it is for correction, not justice

Sealed 1:13 says, “we were sealed with the Holy

Spirit of promise.”

This means that the validity of the seal depends on the trustworthiness of the one making the seal, not the quality of the item being sealed

Ex: a king sealed official documents

Thus, the recipient can trust that the document is not fake

“In Christ”

This phrase appears 26 times in the epistle

Those who are “in Christ” are very special and privileged

Significance

As followers of Christ, we must allow the Bible to define what is significant in life, not what culture or peers say is significant.

Paul says that our significance is found by being faithful “in Christ”

No mention is made of significance coming from achievement or material wealth or worldly status

Wealth we have in Christ 1:2 – grace and peace

1:3 – every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places

1:4 – chosen to be holy and without blame

1:5 – adoption as sons

1:6 – acceptance

1:7 – forgiveness of sins

1:7 – the riches of His grace

Wealth we have in Christ 1:8 – wisdom and prudence

1:9 – the mystery of His will

1:11 – an inheritance

1:12 – predestined

1:13 – the Word of truth

1:13 – sealed with the Holy Spirit

Glory of God A lot of people seem to think we have to

bring God glory

But actually, God already has glory

His predestining us and sealing us is to the praise of His glory (3 times in chapter 1)

Thus, the purpose of our being predestined to follow Christ is to draw attention to God’s glory (that already exists)

Prayer

Paul includes two prayers in the letter.

1:17-23 & 3:14-21

We can learn how to pray for others from these

Why?

Why did Paul write the letter?

Book Overview Chapters 1-3 Position in Christ

Chapters 4-6 Practice of the Christian

Chapters 1 – 3Position in Christ

1:1-14 Praise for redemption

1:15-23 Prayer for revelation

2:1-3:13 Position of the Christian

3:14-21 Prayer for Realization

Chapters 4 – 6Practice of the Christian

4:1-16 Unity in the Church

4:17 – 5:21 Holiness in Life

5:22 – 6:9 Responsibilities at Home and Work

6:10-24 Conduct in the conflict

Bibliography

Special thanks goes to the following:

EBibleTeacher.com for their maps

NASA for their Satellite images

Bruce Wilkinson & Kenneth Boa for their information in Talk Thru the Bible

Walt Henrichsen for his wisdom and insight shared during Bible studies he has led and in books, articles and e-mails he has written