INTRODUCTION: In approaching this study it is important to understand one basic fact: the subject under consideration is NOT that of individual salvation, but THE ENJOYMENT OF COVENANT BLESSINGS! It is clearly evident from the scriptures that Gentiles, in the flesh, experienced INDIVIDUAL SALVATION under the dispensation of the Old Covenant. As Gentiles, however, they did NOT automatically enter upon the rich benefits of the "covenants of promise". These blessings pertained only to the covenant nation - Israel, (Rom. 9:1-5).

        Paul shows, in this lesson, how the Old Covenant has been abolished (through fulfillment); under the New Covenant (which now pertains to the church) Jew and Gentile are made ONE "in Christ Jesus".

I. FIRST, PAUL OUTLINES THE NATURAL POISITION OF THE GENTILES AS RELATED TO THE COVENANTS AND PROMISE OF GOD, (vs. 11-12).

    11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Un-circumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

1. PAUL STRESSES THE FACT THAT THE JEWS, TO WHOM THE COVENANTS PERTAINED, CONSIDERED EVERYONE ELSE "UNCIRCUMCISED HEATHEN".


1. Gentiles did not wear the SIGN of the covenant - though the sign alone guaranteed no blessing.
2. Without the sign (seal), however, no one had a legitimate claim upon the blessings of the covenant, (Gen. 17:10-14).


2. THE GREAT DISTANCE WHICH SEPARATED GENTILES (though saved) FROM COVENANT BLESSINGS (and the covenant people) IS ELOQUENTLY EXPRESSED IN FIVE SIGNIFICANT PHRASES.


1. We were "WITHOUT (separate from) CHRIST". This is in contrast to our present position (in Christ) in the church; the other four phrases explain just what this involved.


2. We were "ALIENATED from the commonwealth of Israel".
1. By wicked works, (Col. 1:21).
2. By the law itself - being given to Israel only, (Romans 9:1).


3. We were "STRANGERS from the covenants of promise", (made to Abraham and confirmed to Isaac and Jacob).
1. We were not even AWARE of the promised Messiah.
2. We were IGNORANT of the blessings available to those in covenant fellowship with God.


4. We possessed NO HOPE; how COULD we - while shut off from the promise, and walking in darkness?


5. We were "WITHOUT GOD in the world", (Gal. 4:8; I Thes. 4:5).
1. The one true God was the "God of Israel" - in whom the covenant people dwelt.
2. Gentiles were "godless" in the sense that we could not call the true God our own; we could not "rest" in His love.
3. Only by becoming PROSELYTES (to the Jewish heritage) could Gentiles enter into THE SPHERE OF HIS COVENANT GRACE.

II. NEXT, PAUL SHOWS WHAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH THE BODY OF CHRIST, (vs. 13-18).

    13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby; 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

1. IN CHRIST WE ARE MADE "NEAR" TO GOD, (vs. 13; Isaiah 60:3).


1. Such nearness is "by the blood of Christ", (Col. 1:20 Rom. 3:23; Eph. 1:7).


2. We Gentiles are, at least in part, that "pearl of great price" for which He gave all that He had, (Matt. 13:46; Acts 14:27).


3. Such nearness is not experienced outside the church; it is the church that (in a very special sense) was purchased with His own blood, (Acts 20:28; I Cor. 6:19-20).


2. FOR BOTH JEW AND GENTILE, "HE IS OUR PEACE", (vs. 14-17; Jn. 16:33; Col. 1:20; Rom. 5:1).


1. In Christ the enmity between Jew and Gentile has been removed (slain) so that we are now ONE - united, (Jn. 17:21; Rom. 12:5; I Cor. 1:10; 12:13; Gal. 3:28).
1. The wall of partition, symbolizing this enmity, has been broken down in Christ, (vs. 14b).
2. The enmity - "the law of commandments contained in ordinances", so clearly differentiating between Jew and Gentile - has been ABOLISHED "in His flesh", (vs. 15a; Col. 1:21-22; 2:14).
1.) It is true that this was accomplished by Christ's sacrificial death at Calvary, (Col. 2:14-15).
2.) However, "in his flesh" MAY be intended to specify the POSITION in which, alone, this IS TRUE - that is, in His body, the church, (Rom. 7:4; Eph. 5:30).
3.) Elsewhere the enmity still persists; the dark threat of a broken law still hangs overhead!


2. In Christ, Jew and Gentile become "one new man", (vs. 15b-16; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 3:28; Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:10).
1. We are members of Christ (who indwells us by His Spirit), and of one another, (Eph. 4:25; Rom. 12:5).
2. Both Jew and Gentile are "reconciled to God" in the ONE BODY, (vs. 16; Col. 1:20-23).
1.) This was made possible by the work of Jesus on the cross of Calvary.
2.) Our IDENTITY WITH HIM, in His death, emboldens us to lay claim on this provision and to enter God's presence with assurance of acceptance.
3.) The NEW MAN is really the Christ - formed IN His people, (Gal. 2:20; 4:19; Col. 1:27; I Jn. 4:12; Jn. 14:23).

Ignatius, in his brief letter to the Ephesians, promised to write a second letter "with respect to the NEW MAN, Jesus Christ, in His faith and in His love, in His suffering and in His resurrection".


3. In Christ, peace is proclaimed to those once FAR OFF as well as to those who, in the relationship of covenant-fellowship with God, were already NIGH.


3. IN CHRIST, BOTH JEW AND GENTILE HAVE BEEN GRANTED ACCESS "BY ONE SPIRIT" UNTO THE FATHER, (vs. 18).


1. This involves more than mere liberty to approach the Father.


2. It suggests an introduction into His very presence, with favor!


3. Now Jew and Gentile alike are able, for the first time, to say: "Abba, Father!" (Gal. 4:4-5).

III. FINALLY, PAUL SHOWS WHAT IT IS TO WHICH WE GENTILES HAVE BEEN EXALTED IN THE BODY OF CHRIST, (vs. 19-22).

       No longer are we strangers and sojourners among the covenant people; we have been initiated into the position of covenant fellowship with God.

    19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit

1. WE ARE NOW FELLOWCITIZENS WITH THE SAINTS, (Phil. 3:20; comp. Heb. 12:22).


1. By "saints" [never used in the singular] the Scriptures ALWAYS designate a special, holy, Covenant people who are consecrated to God and walking after His order.
1. Others, though saved, are not so designated.
2. The term is used only of those who walk in the sphere of His covenant - in Israel or the Lord's church.
2. Distinctions of race, color, sex, etc., are done away in the "body of Christ", (Gal. 3:26-28). This is, in fact, the ONLY PLACE ON EARTH where such unity CAN TRULY EXIST in this age!


2. WE ARE NOW MEMBERS OF GOD'S OWN HOUSEHOLD, (Gal. 6:10; Acts 11:14; I Tim. 3:4-5; 5:8; 2 Tim. 1:16).


3. WE ARE NOW (corporately) A HOLY TEMPLE, IN THE LORD.


1. As such we are built on the foundation of the New Testament apostles and prophets; it must be remembered, however, that underneath ALL is the Christ! (I Cor. 3:11; Matt. 16:18).
1. "Foundation" is here used of the "apostles and prophets" in the sense that they were the instruments specially chosen of the Lord to set forth "the ORDER" according to which New Testament churches were to function.
2. Apostles and prophets were SPECIAL SPIRITUAL GIFTS which our Lord placed in His (previously existing) church, and through whom He revealed the mystery of His will that had previously been hidden, (3:5; 4:11).
3. The foundation on which God's temple rests is sure, stedfast, unchanging and unshakable!


2. Using another figure of speech, Paul speaks of Jesus Christ as being the "chief cornerstone" in this temple.

        "The cornerstone is cut out beforehand, and not only bonds the structure together, when at last it is dropped into place, but serves as a 'stone of testing' to show whether the building has been carried out to the architect's specifications", (F. F. Bruce).

3. LIVING STONES (I Pet. 2:5) in any given locality, being "fitly (scripturally) joined together", become a "holy temple in the Lord".
1. Israel HAD a building in which God dwelt.
2. The New Testament church, in proper order, IS A TEMPLE in which God will make His dwelling.
3. At Ephesus, Jews and Gentiles were so "builded together" that God made His dwelling in them - through the Holy Spirit, (vs. 22; comp. Jn. 14:17).

MAY SUCH A RELATIONSHIP BE OURS!!

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW

1. What is the basic subject under consideration in this lesson?
2. Was it possible for Gentiles to be SAVED under the Old Testament economy?
3. Was something special provided for the covenant nation (Israel) under the Old Testament order which, for the time, was exclusively theirs? What?
4. What was the position of Gentiles, as related to the ancient covenants of promise?
5. What five expressions describe the DISTANCE between the nation, under the covenant, and saved Gentiles? Explain.
6. What NEW relationship has God effected between Jew and Gentile in the church?
7. Has the enmity been abolished for "ALL the saved"?
8. What expression describes God's success in uniting Jew and Gentiles "in Christ"?
9. To what blessings have Gentiles been lifted in the body of Christ?
10. Can YOU rightly claim these blessings through submission of your life and service to God's "order"?