Eph 4:1-6 What is the practical response on the part of the Gentiles who through the gospel have been made fellow partakers with the Jews of the promise in Christ Jesus? See Eph 4:1, 17, 2:10, Col 1:10, 2:6, 1 Thess 2:11-12, 4:1. What is the calling with which they have been called? See Rom 1:7, 2 Tim 1:9, Heb 3:1. Do we walk in a manner worthy of our high calling? What does Paul mention first as the Gentile’s practical response to being made fellow heirs and fellow members of the body? See Eph 4:3. How is that possible? See Eph 4:2; see also Col 3:12-14. What does it mean to have patience and to show forbearance to others? Why is the application of this especially important for happy marriages, happy homes, and happy churches? See also 1 Cor 13:7. Why is the unity of the Spirit so important? See Eph 4:4-6, John 17:11,20-23. Why are Paul’s words particularly significant to the Gentiles in light of the prevailing Jewish attitudes toward them?
Eph 4:7-13 For what ultimate purpose was the grace Paul speaks of in Eph 4:7 given to us? See Eph 4:13. What picture does Paul have in mind as he quotes Psalm 68:18 in Eph 4:8? See 2 Cor 2:14-16, Col 2:15, Josh 22:8, Psalm 68:12, Isaiah 9:3. What particular gifts of God’s grace does Paul mention in Eph 4:11 as having been given to men as a result of Christ’s triumph at the cross? In what sense are these workers the spoils of that victory and a gift to men? See Col 1:13-14. Are there such spoils yet to be had from Satan’s kingdom that would enrich the church and God’s people? How are they to be had? See 2 Cor 10:3-5, Eph 6:12-18, 1 Tim 1:18, 2 Tim 2:3-4. Is the role of these workers to do the works of service in the church? What is their role? See Eph 4:12.
Eph 4:14-16 What picture does Paul paint in Eph 4:14 of those who do not grow up in their faith? Do we see this still today? In what ways are those who don’t have a solid foundation in the truth of God always at the mercy of others? Confer Isaiah 57:20. Note: “trickery” (NASB) or “sleight” (KJV) derives from a word for playing dice, and includes the idea of the chances men take in their ignorance of the truth and how those are cheated who are so enticed as to play their dangerous game. See 2 Pet 2:18-19. Given the deceitful scheming of men that permeates the entire world and all its ideas and philosophies, what is the only way possible for a body of believers to grow up in Christ and attain to the unity of the faith? See Eph 4:15. Is it ever possible to have true unity in Christ apart from the truth of His word? Why not? See Eph 4:15-16. Is it possible for any body to grow and function properly if it is not connected to the head?
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The Atonement of Christ's Blood: Understanding How the Blood of Christ Saves and Reconciles us to God
What is the relationship between Jesus’ sacrifice and our redemption, forgiveness and receiving an inheritance per the terms of the covenant / will that was effected by His death?- From what, and to what, are we saved? Is it Jesus’ death alone that saves us? What part does His resurrection have in our salvation?
- Does the justice of God demand the satisfaction of blood before He will forgive, similar to what pagans throughout history have believed?
- What was the purpose of the Old Testament sacrifices?
- Does blood alone atone for sin?
- How does Christ’s death render powerless the devil?
- To whom was Christ’s life given as a ransom? From what are we ransomed?
- Why did Jesus not only die, but suffer and die? If all that was necessary was His shed blood, why didn’t God sovereignly ordain a more merciful death for His own dear Son?
- What is the relationship between a will or testament, and a covenant? What was willed to Jesus as an inheritance from His Father, and what was willed to us through the new testament in His blood?