God’s Plan is Eternal
Ephesians 1:1-14
Know – what the Word says
Main idea of the passage: Paul addresses the church at Ephesus with a deep and heartfelt blessing directed at God for the matchless worth of the salvation in Christ experienced by all who are redeemed.
Explanation:
Paul’s opening comments to the believers in Ephesus set the tone for a letter focusing on the magnificent call of God upon the church and the individual believers who make it up. Paul begins in verses 1-2 with a warm and personal greeting, which includes the first of many uses of the phrase, “in Christ.” This simple yet powerful phrase contains both the identity of believers and their only hope for living lives of righteous obedience. Their position “in Christ,” is exactly why Paul does not first call them brothers, sisters, friends, or church members. Rather, he chooses to call them “saints.”
While Ephesians clearly outlines the structure and function of the church, it is important to note that Paul does not begin with a description of spiritual gifts, discussing church government, or even proclaiming the mission of the church of reaching the world with the gospel. Paul chooses to deal with something far greater, the reality of salvation (v. 3-14). He can hardly contain himself as he begins to describe what it means to be saved. He uses phrases like “every spiritual blessing,” “holy and blameless,” “glorious grace,” “redemption,” “forgiveness,” “riches of his grace,” “lavished,” “fullness of time,” “inheritance,” “hope in Christ,” “sealed” and “guarantee.”
Perhaps the most often studied and most highly debated part of this passage is Paul’s description of believers being “chosen in Him (Christ)” before the foundation of the world and thus being “predestined” for salvation. This context does not allow for a thorough discussion of this issue. Three questions, however, provide a basic and biblical example of the mystery, tension and reality of what is provided in God’s Word about his sovereign control of salvation.
Does God elect people to be saved or does God offer salvation to all who will put their faith in Christ? The answer is yes – to both.
Does God predestine those who will be saved or does God desire for all men to know him? The answer is yes – to both.
Does God know who will be saved in the past, present and future, or does God desire for the church to share the gospel with all people? The answer is yes – to both.
Even within the Baptist church there are many different views about this subject, but the fact remains that God presents in his Word both the clear existence of election and predestination alongside the clear call for all men to experience salvation through faith in Christ. Finally, one should note that this passage follows the same pattern as every biblical passage that presents election and predestination. These wonderful and mysterious truths are always presented as encouragement for believers to worship and follow their saving God more faithfully. Nowhere where will one find Paul or any other author presenting these doctrines as a means to discriminate between who should hear the gospel and who should not. All should hear! Likewise, among authentic Christ followers with differing views, these wonderful and difficult truths should never cause a break in fellowship.
D.J. Horton
Bucky Rogers– Lessons by D.J. Horton and Bucky Rogers. Horton is pastor of Anderson Mill Road Baptist Church, Spartanburg. Rogers is minister to students at Anderson Mill Road.