Ephesians

Paul is the author of Ephesians. Ephesus was an important city in western Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). Major trade routes was a center for commercial trade. For about 3 years Ephesus was a central point for Paul’s ministry.

Ephesians *The city was the site of a famous temple for the fertility goddess Diana. Paul was succesful in turning the people away from their idols. *Paul concentrated on turning people from idol worship to worship of Jesus Christ. *Craftsmen of the city saw a threat to the sale of their pagan statues

Historical Background: *Probably wrote the book of Ephesians during his first Roman imprisonment around A.D *Written to the gentile converts who were baptized member of the Church, not people who were converts from Judaism and who had once lived under the law of Moses.

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians In the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians: *Addresses vital gospel principles. *Foreordination *The Latter-day Restoration *The Holy Spirit of Promise *The importance of prophets, apostles, church organization, and family relations

Testimony of Paul to Ephesians: People are saved by Jesus Christ’s grace through faith in Him.

Ephesians 1-3

Heavenly Father foreordained some of His children to receive certain responsibilities and blessing on this earth. Ephesians 1: 3-12 Jeremiah 1: 4-5 Alma 13: 3 Abraham 3:23 We receive these callings and blessing according to our faithfulness See above We are saved by Jesus Christ’s grace through our faith in Him Ephesians 2: Nephi 10: 24 Moroni 10: Those who come unto Christ and His Church become new creatures, leaving behind the ways of the world Ephesians 2: 1-3, Ephesians 4: 1-7, Mosiah 5: 2 Alma 19:33

Ephesians 1 The Saints are foreordained to receive the gospel The gospel is to be restored in the latter days The Saints are sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise They know God and Christ by revelation

Ephesians 2 We are saved by grace through faith The Blood of Christ saves Jew and Gentile alike The Church is built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets

Ephesians 3 The Gentiles are fellow heirs with Israel The love of Christ surpasses all understanding

Ephesians 1-3  PredestinatedForeordained, chosen in the premortal existence for specific blessings and responsibilities  Adoption of childrenBeing spiritually reborn as sons and daughters of God  The mystery of his willTruths about God’s plan for His children that cannot be understood except by revelation and then kept sacred  The earnest of ourThe guarantee of gaining the celestial inheritancekingdom  All principalityAny king or ruler  The prince of power of the airSatan

Ephesians 1-3  UncircumcisionGentiles  CircumcisionJews  NighNear  Dispensation of the graceThe power and grace God gave Paul to of God…to you-wardminister to the Gentiles  MysteryDivine truth that can only be known by Revelation and then kept sacred  PrincipalitiesArea governed by rulers  In whom we haveWith faith in Jesus Christ we can approach boldness…by faith of himGod with confidence