The Epistle to the Ephesians
Lesson 7
The Church As Seen and Understood in Ephesians

Introduction
What the Bible calls “the Church” has nothing to do with a building made by man. Most people in this world do not understand this. The Church is not a mosque, a beautifully decorated temple, a cathedral or any building built for worshipping God. The Church is not the Roman Catholic Church. It is not the Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal or Independent Church. The Church is an organism (a living body), not an organization. The Church is made up of all born again believers who, since Pentecost, have been baptized into Christ.

The world does not understand this. Millions are confused because they are invited to join the Church. In reality, Christians do not join the Church. Christians ARE the Church. They may worship in a building, but when the Church (the people who are Christians) is not there, it is just a building, a building dedicated to be used for the glory and service of God, but nevertheless just a building.

In this lesson, you will see that the main subject in this Ephesian Epistle is the Church. Paul presents the Church in six different ways. May God enrich your mind and heart with spiritual blessings.

Importance of this Lesson

• It is very important for all Christians to see clearly the difference between a church building or organization, and the true and living Church.
• In order to appreciate God’s eternal purpose it is important to understand the meaning of the different way the Bible speaks about the Church (Ephesians 3:11).

Include this form on your page

The Lesson

I. THE CHURCH IS A BODY – THE BODY OF CHRIST

1. Verses that clearly state this fact:
   1. Ephesians 1:22-23 – “…the church which is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all.”
   2. Ephesians 2:16 – “…that he might reconcile both (Jew and Gentile) in one body by the cross.”
   3. Ephesians 3:6 – “…that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body…”
   4. Ephesians 4:4 – “…there is one body and one spirit…”
   5. Ephesians 4:12 – Certain gifts of ministry were given “for the perfecting of the saints…for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
   6. Ephesians 4:15-16 – “…who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body fitly joined together…maketh increase of the body…”
      The Christian life is Christ living in and through every person who places his trust in Him for salvation
      (Galatians 2:20). When you received Him, He started living in you and became your life (John 1:12). Christ is in you – the hope of Glory (Colossians 1:27). “…when Christ who is our life shall appear…” (Colossians 3:4).

   When you were saved, Christ came to live in your body and you became a part of the body of Christ, which the Bible calls “the Church.”

2. How the Church is formed
   1. 1 Corinthians 12:13 – “For by one spirit were we all baptized into one body…”
   2. 1 Corinthians 12:12 – Paul said that as our human bodies have many members but is just one body, “so also is Christ.” Just as every part of your body has a purpose, so every Christian has some gift (ability) according to the grace God has given. God expects everyone to use that ability for His glory (Romans 12:5).
      
      So the Church today is a Body of all born again Jews and Gentiles. Each member of that Body has a duty to perform. Each has a different ability “according to the grace of God” (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-29).

   From these verses, we learn that Christ is the head of the Church. But in order for the head to work, it must have a body. Christ went up into heaven but the Church remains on earth and works as the body of Christ.

II. THE CHURCH IS A BUILDING OR TEMPLE – Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17.

1. What do we learn from these verses?
   1. The Bible calls the Church a building or temple. In these verses, God is building this Church.
   2. Christ Himself is the foundation of that Church. “For other foundation can no man lay, than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11; Ephesians 2:20).
   3. The Apostles and prophets built on that foundation. The early Church was grounded on the teaching of the Apostles. “…and they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine” (Acts 2:42).
2. The prophets that Ephesians 2:20 mentions were New Testament prophets. Old Testament prophets did not foresee the church and had no part in establishing it (Ephesians 3:5, 4:11; 1 Corinthians 12:10, 29).
   1. God is building the Church “…for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:22). Through the blessed Holy Spirit you are born again (John 3:5-6). The Holy Spirit prepares you as a place for God to live in! (Ephesians 2:22).
   2. The Bible talks about the Church as under construction. When God saves the last soul in this Age of Grace the Church is complete, and Christ comes for His Church (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).

III. THE CHURCH IS A MYSTERY – Ephesians 3:3-12, 6:19; Colossians 4:3; Romans 16:25-26

1. What is a mystery in the Scriptures? The word “mystery” is found 28 times in the New Testament and at least 11 mysteries are recorded.
   1. In scriptural references, it is not something ghostly or something we cannot explain.
   2. It is a truth not revealed in the Old Testament days, but which is now revealed completely, in this age of grace (Galatians 3:1-12; 16:25-26).
2. Paul says that God gave him a responsibility to reveal the mystery of the Church (Ephesians 3:2-3).
   1. What is a dispensation?
      Basically the word dispensation means “stewardship.” Throughout biblical history, God, at various times, revealed particular truths and made man responsible for living according to that revelation. In other words, God gave man a dispensation or responsibility. This usually involved a period in time.
      Illustrations:
   1. Exodus 20 ushers in the dispensation of law which ended at the Cross (John 19:30;
      Romans 10:4).
   2. The dispensation of the grace of God was ushered in at Pentecost.
   3. God specifically called the apostle Paul and gave him the stewardship (responsibility) of preaching and explaining grace and the mystery of the Church (Ephesians 3:2-3).
   2. The prophets mentioned in Ephesians 3:5 were not Old Testament prophets. The verse says “as it
      is now revealed.” The Church was not seen or known in the Old Testament.
      God chose Paul specifically to serve as an apostle for and to the Gentiles. He definitely
      was not the only one to whom God revealed the mystery of the Church. Ephesians 3:5 says, “as it
      is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.”
3. Ephesians 3:6-12 actually explains the mystery of the Church.
   1. That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs – Here is the presentation of the mystery. Gentiles were to share equally with believing Jews in the blessing and promises of the grace of God. Remember that the Jews were a very special group. They were and still are God’s chosen people. The law, the covenants, and the promises were all theirs. The Jews despised the Gentiles. But remember what we learned in our previous lesson entitled, “WHEN THE WALL CAME TUMBLING DOWN.” The cross smashed the wall separating Gentiles and Jews (Ephesians 2:14-16).
   2. of which I was made a minister – (Ephesians 3:7). This does not mean that other Apostles failed to preach the Gospel. However, God chose Paul especially to take the message to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15).
   3. and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery – (Ephesians 3:9). Very few experiences are more precious than the fellowship that the members of the body of Christ have with each other.
   4. In Ephesians 3:10 Paul says that God makes known His wisdom through the Church of God to rulers and authorities in the heavenlies, or heavenly places. That wisdom of God has many forms.
   5. In Ephesians 3:11-12 we see that the mystery of the Church was all in God’s eternal purpose, which He carried out in Christ. We now have courage and admittance to the Throne of Grace by faith in Christ.

IV. THE CHURCH IS “THE NEW MAN” THAT GOD MADE PERFECT – Ephesians 2:15; 4:13

1. What does Paul mean by, “…to make in Himself of twain, one new man…” (Ephesians 2:15)?
   1. The emphasis in this passage is on the person and work of Christ. By His death on the Cross Christ has done away with the hatred between Jews and Gentiles, “even the law of commandments” (Ephesians 2:15). He thus brought together two bitter enemies and formed them into the Church, the universal Body of Christ. In this passage this Body is called “one new man” (Ephesians 2:15).
   2. This in no way means that God gave up His plans for Israel. God did not forget His promises to Israel. They are still God’s chosen people. God will yet establish them in the land of Israel (Romans 11:2,25-26). It means that in the Day of Grace, Christ did away with the law as a way God made a person right with Himself (Romans 10:4). God has opened the door of salvation to all that believe. God formed the believers into the Body of Christ, the Church. Here the Bible calls the Church the “New Man.”
2. In Ephesians 4:13 Paul says, “Till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” What does Paul mean by this phrase? Keep in mind that Paul, in verses like Ephesians 4:22-24, Colossians 3:9-10, writes about our sinful nature as the “old man” and about our new nature which we have in Christ as the “new man.” In Ephesians 2:15 and 4:13 however, Paul writes about the Church, the Body of Christ, as the “new man” and the “perfect man.” The word “perfect” used here and in Philippians 3:12,15 means “fully developed.” The Lord gave the church apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor/teachers to help believers to fully develop in the Christian life (Ephesians 4:11-12). Christ’s desire is for the Church to grow into fully developed Christians and He wants them to stop changing like children with every new kind of doctrine. (Ephesians 4:14-15).

V. THE CHURCH IS A BRIDE – Ephesians 5:22-23
In this chapter we see with wonder one of the dearest and most amazing truths about Christ and the Church. Here we see the Church as the bride of Christ. The bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ, prepares her for a glorious wedding. The comparisons are unmistakable:

1. …The husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church (Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18).
2. …Husbands, love your wives even as Christ loved the Church, and gave himself for it…
   (Ephesians 5:25). Christ died for His bride! He bought His bride with His own blood (Acts 20:28)! Why? Why did the Bridegroom die for the Bride? The answer is found in the next two verses.
3. That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word; that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:26-27).
   In Matthew 25:1-13, Christ speaks in a parable concerning His coming again. The story compares Christians to the five wise virgins who filled their container with oil and trimmed their lamps. They were ready for the coming of the Bridegroom. At midnight they heard a cry – “Behold, the bridegroom comes; go ye out to meet him.” Those who were ready went in with the bridegroom to the marriage. Those who failed to prepare for the coming of the Bridegroom were left behind. So will it be when Christ returns for His Church. It may be today! (Read also 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18.)

VI. THE CHURCH AS A WARRIOR – Ephesians 6:11-17
(For your exam, memorize the four fronts on which Christians are fighting a war.)
Whether you have realized it before or not, let me say to you now, if you are a Christian you are at war.

• In 1 Timothy 1:18, the Apostle Paul exhorted Timothy to “…war a good warfare….”
• In 2 Timothy 4:7, Paul declares – “I have fought a good fight….”
• In 2 Corinthians 10:4, Paul writes – “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the tearing down of strongholds.”

1. THE AREAS OF BATTLE:
   1. THE WAR WITHIN – the battle with our sinful flesh, the old Adamic nature.
      1. Listen to the great Apostle Paul: “I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I had preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (meaning “disapproved”) (1 Corinthians 9:27).
      2. In Romans 7:18-23 Paul describes the battle all Christians have with their old, sinful natures.
         1. In Romans 7:21 he says, “When I would do good, evil is present within me.”
         2. In Romans 7:23 we read, “…I see another law (controlling influence) in my members, warring against the law of my mind….”
         3. “…Who shall deliver me?”
            The answer to Paul’s question in Romans 7:24 is found in the next verse and in
            Romans 8:1-4. We win through the help of Jesus Christ. When the Holy Spirit controls the believer the power of Christ who lives in the believer becomes real. When that happens we are free from the control of sin and death (Romans 8:2-4).
            c) Further evidence of the war raging between the flesh and the Holy Spirit is found in
            (Galatians 5:17). In these verses Paul says, “…the flesh lusteth (or fights) against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh….” Thank God for Galatians 5:16, which says, “…walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lust (desire) of the flesh….”
   2. THE WAR WITH THE WORLD
      1. Remember first of all what Jesus said about the world:
         1. John 7:7 – “…the world hates me because I testify of it that its works are evil…”
         2. John 15:18 – “If the world hate you, remember it hated me before it hated you.”
         3. John 15:19 – “I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”
         4. John 16:33 – “In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
         • Dr. Harry Ironside defines “the world” as “an organized system, controlled by Satan (the prince and god of this world) (John 12:31, 16:11; 2 Corinthians 4:4). It is a system in which people try to make themselves happy without God.”
      2. The Apostle John in 1 John 2:15-16 gives more explanation. John says, “Love not the world, neither the things which are in the world. If any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” Claim 1 John 5:4 – “…this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” Amen!
   3. THE WAR IN THE SPIRITUAL REALM
      1. This is our battle with evil spirits we cannot see. These evil spirits operate from and in the evil realm that exist in the universe. In Ephesians 6:12 Paul tells us, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (the heavenlies).
      2. Remember in Ephesians 2:6, Paul says that God has “…raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places…” (literally: the heavenlies). Even in the place we have our sweetest fellowship with Christ, we find evil spirits who are controlled by Satan. These evil spirits attack us (Ephesians 6:12).
      3. This is why we need to put on “the whole armor of God” (Galatians 6:11). Christ won over all such evil powers and rulers, “…He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them…” (Colossians 2:15).
   4. THE WAR WITH SATAN
      God threw Satan out of his heaven (Isaiah 14:12-15), but he is still the prince of this world (John 14:30). Satan has great power to make people spiritually blind. Satan deceives people, and destroys them. Ephesians 6:11 speaks of the “wiles of the devil,” for which we need the protection of “the whole armor of God.” Further illustrations of Satan’s power are found in:
      1. 2 Corinthians 2:11 – This verse tells us that we must look out for Satan’s tricks.
      2. Luke 22:31 – Satan asked for Peter so that he might sift him as wheat. Satan is also able to sift you. To sift someone means to test him.
      3. 1 Peter 5:8 – We must be serious and watchful because Satan (your enemy), walks about like a roaring lion looking for anyone he can eat.
      4. Acts 5:3 – Peter did not approve what Annanias and his wife Sapphira did. He asked them, “…why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost?”
      5. Acts 26:18 – Paul tells us God sent him to the Gentiles to “…turn them from the power of Satan unto God….”
         • Praise God we can have victory over Satan. James 4:7 says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you. We can defeat Satan with “the Shield of Faith” and “the Sword of the Spirit.” Revelation 12:11 says “…they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony….”
2. THE WEAPONS WE CAN USE TO FIGHT WITH – Ephesians 6:13-17
   (Learn the six weapons the believer has in order to fight.)
   1. The Truth
      Ephesians 6:14 – “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with TRUTH….”
      When we fight this battle, there is no substitute for TRUTH. We must know what the truth is and we must tell others about it.
      1. In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am…the truth….” You must know Him, love Him and serve Him. You must tell others about Him.
      2. In John 17:17, Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is TRUTH.…” The Word of God, the Bible, IS the truth. You must learn what it says. You must tell others about it. You must preach it, and teach it.
   2. The Breastplate of Righteousness
      1. The breastplate covers the heart. Get your heart right and make sure you are right with God.
      2. Christ is our righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30).
      3. When we believed, we were clothed with His righteousness (Romans 3:22).
   3. The Gospel of Peace
      Have your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace. Be prepared to walk and run with the message of the Gospel of Peace.
      1. Peace comes when we know we are justified (Romans 5:1).
      2. Christ gives His peace to all who trust Him (John 14:27).
      3. Peace is the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22).
   4. The Shield of Faith
      Note that Paul says, “above all.” Faith is the key to successful living. 1 John 5:4 says, “…this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” Ephesians 6:16 tells us that through faith we can “put out all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” Satan is the wicked one.
   5. The Helmet of Salvation
      The helmet covers your head. Know not only in your heart, but also in your head that God saved you.
      1. In 2 Timothy 1:12, Paul said “I know whom I have believed.”
      2. 1 John 5:13 says, “These things have I written, “…that ye may know you that ye have eternal life….” A soldier must know what he believes and why he believes it.
   6. The sword of the Spirit which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17).
      1. Christ stood against the Devil and he won over the devil by the Word of God (Matthew 4:4-11).
      2. The sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, is our only weapon to attack Satan.

CONCLUSION
Finally remember that the Lord is on your side if you are standing up for Him. The weapons of our warfare are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4). When the battle is over, we shall receive a crown (2 Timothy 4:7-8). No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” (2 Timothy 2:4). AMEN!

Examination

This is the end of this lesson. In order to proceed with the examination, you must be preregistered* as a student with Rogma International. If you are ready to proceed with the examination, click one of the buttons below:

This version is recommended if you have a reliable internet connection. The exam must be completed during your open session, otherwise you risk losing any answers that you may have already completed.		If you are unable to complete the exam online, we suggest that you download this Adobe Acrobat PDF version of the exam and write your answers in the body of an e-mail message to your assigned grader.

* Although registration is not required, registered students can earn a Certificate of Accomplishment, Certificate of Achievement, or a Diploma. In addition, registered students are assigned a personal grader who will monitor their ongoing progress. If you would like to register first, click below. A student identification number and access codes will be e-mailed to you within a few business days. Click to register.