What action does Paul say Christ took toward “the law of commandments expressed in ordinances” (ESV)? Why did He take this action? (See Ephesians 2:14-15.) Paul probably alludes here to the balustrade or fence that surrounded the court of Israel in Herod’s Temple, with its death threat. Paul imagines this wall coming down and Gentiles being granted full … Continue reading –>
Lesson 5 *July 22-28 Horizontal Atonement: The Cross and the Church SABBATH AFTERNOON Read for This Week’s Study: Ephesians 2:11-22 ; Romans 3:31 ; Romans 7:12 ; Isaiah 52:7 ; Isaiah 57:19 ; John 14:27 ; 1 Corinthians 3:9-17 . Memory Text: “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been … Continue reading –>
“For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility … that he might … reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross” (Ephesians 2:14-16, ESV). How does Paul describe the cross and the impact of Christ’s work there in … Continue reading –>
The book of Ephesians does show us “How to Follow Jesus in Trying Times”: Hymn 623 – I Will Follow Thee, My Saviour so that our actions will always speak louder than our words. The Memory Text brings us Hymn 294 – Power In The Blood and Hymn 177 – Jesus, Your Blood And Righteousness. Because of … Continue reading –>
Key Thought Paul here sees the cross of Christ as destroying walls and barriers that shut out, alienate, and separate Jews and Gentiles. July 29, 2023 1. Have a volunteer read Ephesians 2:11,12. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage. What does Paul accent … Continue reading –>
Compare Ephesians 2:1-3, Paul’s earlier description of the Gentile past of the addressees, with Ephesians 2:11-12. What does he accent in his fresh description of their past? Gentiles who were now believers in Christ and members of His “body,” the church, were once totally separated from Israel and the salvation God offered. Paul judges it important for … Continue reading –>
Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study: Ephesians 2:11-22; Romans 3:31; Romans 7:12; Isaiah 52:7; Isaiah 57:19; John 14:27; 1 Corinthians 3:9-17. Memory Text: “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one” (Ephesians 2:13-14, ESV). You are a Gentile, a Greek, who … Continue reading –>
The Mission program of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is an opportunity for us to understand the needs of others and share in supporting them. Please click on the image below to watch the Mission Spotlight presentation for this week: (1)
Continue reading -->Is this True or False? Once we have accepted Christ, we have conquered the biggest hurdle to salvation. Join us as we discuss Lesson 4, How God Rescues Us. (1)
Continue reading -->Terrified in Russia: Part 1 By Andrew McChesney Unusual events began occurring at home after 16-year-old Almira signed up for courses on the supernatural in the Russian republic of Bashkortostan. The year of 1992. The Soviet Union had collapsed the previous year, and public interest was high in once-banned religion. Two Russians from Moscow showed … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Underlying the Epistle to the Ephesians is a story that is often rehearsed in part or alluded to in it. The major events in the narrative are these: God’s choice of the people “before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4-5, Ephesians 1:11). Their past, lost existence (Ephesians 2:1-3, Ephesians 2:11-12; Ephesians 4:17-19, Ephesians 4:22; Ephesians 5:8). The intervention … Continue reading –>
Read back through Ephesians 2:1-10, focusing on Paul’s conclusion in verses 8-10. What points does he highlight as he concludes the passage? In Ephesians 2:1-3, Paul documents that the salvation of the believers in Ephesus does not occur because of their good behavior or winsome qualities. When the story begins, they are spiritually dead. There’s not a spark … Continue reading –>
