Ephesians and the Work of the Holy Spirit

The content of the letters and epistles proves that bringing Jews and Gentiles together in one body was the goal of their work.  1 Corinthians 13  speaks of the miraculous gifts continuing until the coming of that which is complete or perfect, while Ephesians 4 speaks of the gifts being granted until “we attain to the unity of the faith.”  Another phrase found in Ephesisans 1:10 that addresses the purpose of God and the Holy Spirit, i.e., “to gather together in one all things.

The Holy Spirit was the instrument of bringing about the mystery of Jews and Gentiles brought into one body by the cross.  Without the mystery being revealed with powerful witness of miraculous powers,  the divine purpose would not have been completed.   Once this is accomplished by the miraculous confirmation of that mystery, all heaven and earth marvel at the manifold wisdom of God.  The intent of this new body of called out souls from both Jews and Gentiles alike is to make known God’s wisdom.   Ephesians 3:10 reads,

“…so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.”

Heaven is watching a spiritual dimension that is just as real as the physical.  In Matthew 8:11, Jesus speaks of many coming from the east and west and will “recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven”,  while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. This does not describe a physical occurrence, as the kingdom is not a physical kingdom (cf. John 18:36).  This thought is taken up by the Hebrew writer who writes of great men and women who lived and died without receiving the promises and were watching this unfolding of God’s creation and marvel at His multi-faceted wisdom.  The letter glorifies God and His eternal purpose that is made known in those days through the Holy Spirit.

When we reach the fourth chapter, we understand that the ultimate goal of completing the unity of the faith, and knowledge of Christ is accomplished through the gifts that God gave the called out body.  Make no mistake, the body of Christ existed then.  But, it was not complete in as much as they had not the mind of Christ, for the law was still lingering in their hearts.    The acceptance of the Gentiles that created “one new man, resulting in peace was accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit endued on these men.   These men were given for such a time, as was the Holy Spirit that empowerd them, to give witness that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and members of the same body, i.e., the body of Christ.

To develop this, notice the following points made in the letter that emphasizes similar themes and utilizes similar terms.   You will notice that the unity of the faith corresponds to the one new man (two becoming one).  The mystery set forth in Christ was a plan to unite all things in Him (1:9-10).  The context of the first chapter unites the Jews who first trusted in Christ (1:1-10), and the Gentiles, who heard, believed and were sealed with the Holy Spirit (1:11-14), just as the Jews experienced in Acts 2.  Their salvation is the proof of God’s grace and kindness (2:1-10).

Furthermore, the Gentiles could receive the Spirit of wisdom and revelation(1:17) so that they might know their hope, inheritance and God’s greatness toward them (1:18-21).

Christ has made “us”(Jew and Gentile) both one (2:14) and has destroyed in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law (2:14-15) so that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace (2:15),  reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross (2:16), and have access in one Spirit to the Father (2:18).   And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near (2:17).  The result of this work is that Gentiles are fellow citizens, members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets that grows into a holy temple in the Lord (2:19-22), a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Finally, chapter three continues to describe the same elements in the previous two chapters.  Here, he takes up his role in this eternal purpose of God.   He was a steward of God’s grace (3:2), or a minister according to the gift of God’s grace given to him by the working of his power (3:7-8).    His stewardship was a gift of God’s grace when God chose him for the work of an apostle.  But, another gift of grace was the revelation of a mystery (cf. v. 5, “unknown in other generations”), but “now” revealed to apostles and prophets by the Spirit (3:5) and through the written word so others may read and understand it (3:4).  Verse 6 reads, “This mystery is  that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”  Similarly, he writes in verse 8 and 9, “To me…was this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,  and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery.”   This was good news to the Gentiles, many of whom accepted it, but it needed to be brought to light to everyone, including Jewish Christians.

The purpose and effect of preaching this mystery of Gentile inclusion with the Jews (the called out, ekklesia) is that God’s manifold wisdom might be known by rulers and authorities in the heavenly places (3:10).

You see the same descriptive words and phrases but used in the context of his particular role in God’s plan.