What culminating set of images does Paul use in Ephesians 2:11-22 to signal unity between Jews and Gentiles in the church? Reviewing Ephesians 2:1-22, we recall that verses 1-10 teach that we live in solidarity with Jesus, while verses 11-22 teach that we live in solidarity with others as part of His church. Jesus’ death has both vertical … Continue reading –>
How does Paul summarize the ministry of Christ in Ephesians 2:17-18? The concept of peace is important in Ephesians, with the letter beginning and ending with blessings of peace “from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:2, NKJV; compare Ephesians 6:23). Earlier in Ephesians 2:11-22, Paul argued that Christ personifies peace, “For He Himself is our peace,” … Continue reading –>
Join It Is Written Sabbath School host Eric Flickinger and this quarter’s author, Dr John McVay, as they provide additional insights into this week’s Sabbath School lesson (4)
Continue reading -->You can view an in-depth discussion of Horizontal Atonement – The Cross and the Church in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. Click on the image to view: With thanks to Hope Channel – Television that will change your life. (2)
Continue reading -->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)
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