I am pleased to see your approach to Ephesians 1:1 - 14. There are not many who are willing to express the importance of being IN Christ. God has chosen us, which are in Christ, to all spiritual blessings before the foundation of the world. In Christ he did also predestinate us unto the adoption of children. In Christ we have obtained an inheritance being predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will. Also, in Christ, after you believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit. God has not predestined chosen or blessed anyone that is not first in Christ. A person must freely believe and receive Christ to partake in the blessings that God has predestined for those that are in Christ and love him. God chooses to save us by his grace because he loves us and in accordance with the decision that each person must make, either reject Christ and remain in sin or accept Christ and be saved. God has chosen us because the Spirit has sanctified us and he sanctified us because we believed the truth. (See 2Thess. 2:13) Believing in Christ is our act of faith through which grace saves us. (See Ephesians 2:8) 2Thess. 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
@21cmoses
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you Bruce for stoping by and leaving your comments! Amen to what you shared and I appreciate you putting 2 Thessalonians 2:13 and Ephesians 2:8 together. "In Christ" is truly a key phrase in Ephesians and it reveals the truth of salvation and sanctification. Thank you again so much for sharing your insights.
@aicellekatecalcana34742 жыл бұрын
Hi! Can I ask a question?...What rights and what are our responsibilities based on Ephesians 1:4-14???.....Thank you
@21cmoses
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for your question! We have rights as His sons and daughters (5v). As His children, we receive His inheritance (11v). Our responsibility should be sharing the message of the truth (the gospel of our salvation) (13v).
@9355610811 ай бұрын
I beg to differ from your interpretation of Eph1 verse 3- 4, the word personal pronoun plural "us" refers to Paul and the apostles, instead of us as a believer in Christ, but the apostles chosen by Jesus to serve his ministry from the foundation of the earth. From verse 5 to 12 the "us" and "we" are the apostles. But in this verse there is change of personal pronoun to "you" the Gentiles ; "Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, " also alluding to Eph2:11-13 and Eph3:5-6. Any comments please. Thank you.
@21cmoses
11 ай бұрын
Thank you for your explanation. And verse 1, Paul was addressing to the Saints at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ as recipients of the letter. So when Paul says “us”, he includes himself and the Church at Ephesus.
@93556108
11 ай бұрын
@@21cmoses Sorry, I don't agree to your notion. Paul's salutation is to the faithful Saints at Ephesus. But in verse 3- 4 the "us" are Paul and the other Apostles chosen by Christ in John15:16 to preach His gospel from the foundation of the world and NOT the Saints in Ephesus. . Note in Eph1:13, 14 there is a change in the personal pronoun to "you" meaning the Gentiles alluding to Eph2:11-13 and Eph3:6. That's my comment. Thank you. ,
@93556108
11 ай бұрын
@@21cmoses Further I will disprove your notion that Paul was addressing to the Saints at Ephesus. Read the following; (Eph 1:9) Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: (Eph 1:10) That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: NOTE: IF you say in verse 9 about the mystery and the "US" to mean Paul and the Saints and by comparing it with these further verses you can see the glaring error; Eph 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Eph 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Eph 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; Eph 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: NOTE the error; vs3 Paul now revealing the same mystery as in Eph1:9 that was given to him first. In verse vs5 it explicitly say "the mystery as it is now revealed unto his apostles and prophets by the Spirit". Now this affirmation of the mystery now revealed unto his apostles and prophets" would contradict Eph1:9 which you assert the mystery was revealed to Paul and the Saints which is not the case. Further this verse would disprove your notion about the Saints in Ephesus; Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. NOTE who are they that first trusted in Christ? They were the 12 apostles and the 72 disciples in Acts 2 plus 3000 Jewish believers during the Pentacost were first trusted in Christ. Only in Acts10 the first Gentiles, Cornelius and his family accepted Christ much later. Further what the bible say; Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. NOTE it say the Jew first and then the Greek or Gentiles as stated in Eph1:12. in conclusion, in Ephesians1 :4 the word "US" meaning Paul and the Apostles and NOT Paul and the Saints and the faithful as you asserted. Thank you and any further comments.
@93556108
11 ай бұрын
@@21cmoses have you received my last reply on 25aug? Any comments please. Thank you.
@21cmoses
11 ай бұрын
Yes, I did. I found this answer legitimate: "The "we/us" may actually have included non-Jewish Christians who were with Paul in Rome, so Paul would not be distinguishing between "us" (Jews in Rome) and "you" (Gentiles in Ephesus). The Tychicus, who hand-carried the letter to Ephesus (Eph 6:21), was the same Tychicus, who hand-carried the letter to Colossae (Col 4:7). That is, these two letters were "prison epistles" which Paul wrote from Rome. Tychicus had hand-carried these two letters to Asia Minor at the same time in the same trip. Having said that, the "we/us" with Paul would therefore have to include believers who were not circumcised, that is, they are enumerated in Col 4:12-14 as Epaphras ("one of your number"), Luke, and Demas. In other words, these three names are mentioned after Paul finishes in Col 4:11 finishing with "Justus... who are from the circumcision." He then mentions the non-circumcision, who (again) were Epaphras ("one of your number" and therefore a Colossian), Luke, and Demas. To put it another way, Epaphras, Luke, and Demas were Gentile believers who must have been physically with Paul in Rome when Paul had written the epistle to the Ephesians, which Tychicus subsequently had hand-delivered to Asia Minor with the Colossian letter at the same time in the same trip. So the "we/us" in the Ephesian epistle are believers in Rome "who first believed" (Jew & Gentile) and the "you" are those in Ephesus who believed later and who were of course exclusively Gentile believers (according to Eph 2:11-12). So the emphasis falls more in line that Gentile believers are included in a body, which is already comprised of both Jews & Gentiles, and of course Paul foot-stomps this in Eph 2:11-22." The source is from the link: hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/questions/480/who-is-included-in-us-in-ephesians-13-10@@93556108
Пікірлер: 16
YES WELL SAID AMEN!
I am pleased to see your approach to Ephesians 1:1 - 14. There are not many who are willing to express the importance of being IN Christ. God has chosen us, which are in Christ, to all spiritual blessings before the foundation of the world. In Christ he did also predestinate us unto the adoption of children. In Christ we have obtained an inheritance being predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will. Also, in Christ, after you believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit. God has not predestined chosen or blessed anyone that is not first in Christ. A person must freely believe and receive Christ to partake in the blessings that God has predestined for those that are in Christ and love him. God chooses to save us by his grace because he loves us and in accordance with the decision that each person must make, either reject Christ and remain in sin or accept Christ and be saved. God has chosen us because the Spirit has sanctified us and he sanctified us because we believed the truth. (See 2Thess. 2:13) Believing in Christ is our act of faith through which grace saves us. (See Ephesians 2:8) 2Thess. 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
@21cmoses
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you Bruce for stoping by and leaving your comments! Amen to what you shared and I appreciate you putting 2 Thessalonians 2:13 and Ephesians 2:8 together. "In Christ" is truly a key phrase in Ephesians and it reveals the truth of salvation and sanctification. Thank you again so much for sharing your insights.
Hi! Can I ask a question?...What rights and what are our responsibilities based on Ephesians 1:4-14???.....Thank you
@21cmoses
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for your question! We have rights as His sons and daughters (5v). As His children, we receive His inheritance (11v). Our responsibility should be sharing the message of the truth (the gospel of our salvation) (13v).
I beg to differ from your interpretation of Eph1 verse 3- 4, the word personal pronoun plural "us" refers to Paul and the apostles, instead of us as a believer in Christ, but the apostles chosen by Jesus to serve his ministry from the foundation of the earth. From verse 5 to 12 the "us" and "we" are the apostles. But in this verse there is change of personal pronoun to "you" the Gentiles ; "Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, " also alluding to Eph2:11-13 and Eph3:5-6. Any comments please. Thank you.
@21cmoses
11 ай бұрын
Thank you for your explanation. And verse 1, Paul was addressing to the Saints at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ as recipients of the letter. So when Paul says “us”, he includes himself and the Church at Ephesus.
@93556108
11 ай бұрын
@@21cmoses Sorry, I don't agree to your notion. Paul's salutation is to the faithful Saints at Ephesus. But in verse 3- 4 the "us" are Paul and the other Apostles chosen by Christ in John15:16 to preach His gospel from the foundation of the world and NOT the Saints in Ephesus. . Note in Eph1:13, 14 there is a change in the personal pronoun to "you" meaning the Gentiles alluding to Eph2:11-13 and Eph3:6. That's my comment. Thank you. ,
@93556108
11 ай бұрын
@@21cmoses Further I will disprove your notion that Paul was addressing to the Saints at Ephesus. Read the following; (Eph 1:9) Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: (Eph 1:10) That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: NOTE: IF you say in verse 9 about the mystery and the "US" to mean Paul and the Saints and by comparing it with these further verses you can see the glaring error; Eph 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Eph 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Eph 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; Eph 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: NOTE the error; vs3 Paul now revealing the same mystery as in Eph1:9 that was given to him first. In verse vs5 it explicitly say "the mystery as it is now revealed unto his apostles and prophets by the Spirit". Now this affirmation of the mystery now revealed unto his apostles and prophets" would contradict Eph1:9 which you assert the mystery was revealed to Paul and the Saints which is not the case. Further this verse would disprove your notion about the Saints in Ephesus; Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. NOTE who are they that first trusted in Christ? They were the 12 apostles and the 72 disciples in Acts 2 plus 3000 Jewish believers during the Pentacost were first trusted in Christ. Only in Acts10 the first Gentiles, Cornelius and his family accepted Christ much later. Further what the bible say; Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. NOTE it say the Jew first and then the Greek or Gentiles as stated in Eph1:12. in conclusion, in Ephesians1 :4 the word "US" meaning Paul and the Apostles and NOT Paul and the Saints and the faithful as you asserted. Thank you and any further comments.
@93556108
11 ай бұрын
@@21cmoses have you received my last reply on 25aug? Any comments please. Thank you.
@21cmoses
11 ай бұрын
Yes, I did. I found this answer legitimate: "The "we/us" may actually have included non-Jewish Christians who were with Paul in Rome, so Paul would not be distinguishing between "us" (Jews in Rome) and "you" (Gentiles in Ephesus). The Tychicus, who hand-carried the letter to Ephesus (Eph 6:21), was the same Tychicus, who hand-carried the letter to Colossae (Col 4:7). That is, these two letters were "prison epistles" which Paul wrote from Rome. Tychicus had hand-carried these two letters to Asia Minor at the same time in the same trip. Having said that, the "we/us" with Paul would therefore have to include believers who were not circumcised, that is, they are enumerated in Col 4:12-14 as Epaphras ("one of your number"), Luke, and Demas. In other words, these three names are mentioned after Paul finishes in Col 4:11 finishing with "Justus... who are from the circumcision." He then mentions the non-circumcision, who (again) were Epaphras ("one of your number" and therefore a Colossian), Luke, and Demas. To put it another way, Epaphras, Luke, and Demas were Gentile believers who must have been physically with Paul in Rome when Paul had written the epistle to the Ephesians, which Tychicus subsequently had hand-delivered to Asia Minor with the Colossian letter at the same time in the same trip. So the "we/us" in the Ephesian epistle are believers in Rome "who first believed" (Jew & Gentile) and the "you" are those in Ephesus who believed later and who were of course exclusively Gentile believers (according to Eph 2:11-12). So the emphasis falls more in line that Gentile believers are included in a body, which is already comprised of both Jews & Gentiles, and of course Paul foot-stomps this in Eph 2:11-22." The source is from the link: hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/questions/480/who-is-included-in-us-in-ephesians-13-10@@93556108