Christ and His Church in Ephesians

Ephesians is great composition of Paul under the inspiration of Holy Spirit to explain the relation of a believer and the church to Christ Jesus. The Key phrase in the entire letter is “In Christ”. The words are repeated to show how the believing child of God in Christ has been blessed spiritually, to name a few, chosen in Him, predestined in love, adopted for sonship, redeemed by the blood, sealed with Holy Spirit and built as a Temple of God. Holy Spirit elaborates more on what the relation of Christ is to the Church?
Here are few truths about Christ and his church from letter to Ephesians
1.Christ the Channel of blessing – “Church (ἐκκλησία ) is blessed (εὐλογητός ) in Christ” – Ephesians 1:3-14
2.Christ the head (κεφαλὴν ) – Church his body (σῶμα) and his fullness or completeness(πλήρωμα ) – Ephesians 1:22-23
3.Christ the Cornerstone (ἀκρογωνιαῖος ) – Church the temple (ναός ) of God– Ephesians 2:20-22
4.Mystery of Christ – Gentile are fellow heirs (συγκληρονόμος ) in promise – One people – Ephesians 3:6
5.Eternal purpose in Christ – Church to display manifold wisdom (σοφία ) of God – Ephesians 3:10-11
6.Christ the Lord (κύριος ) – Church is blessed with gifts (δόμα ) – Ephesians 4:4,8
7.Christ the Groom - husband (ἀνήρ - man) loves - Church the bride (γυνή - wife ) – Ephesians 5:2, 25,32

Writing to Church at Ephesus, Paul portrays what they are “in Christ”. What God has done in Christ Jesus for them and How have been blessed. As we study the letter to Ephesians “May the Lord open our eyes of our heart to comprehend, length, breadth, height and depth of love of God in Christ, Amen”.
Lets us study each of the above relational aspects of Christ and his church
1.Christ the channel of blessing – “Church the blessed in Christ” – The Theme of all of Ephesians is “Making known to us the Mystery of his will, according to the purpose God set forth in Christ, as the plan for the fullness of time to unite all things in Christ”. Proper exegesis of Ephesians 1:3-14 clearly says that How God has blessed us in Christ Jesus. Systematicians look at a text and read their understanding into the text and classify that blessings are of Father, son and Holy Spirit. But as you read the passage the help of Holy Spirit, it is just one long paragraph, which says how the saints at Ephesus, the faithful in Christ are blessed by God in Christ.

Here are the blessings “in Christ”
a. In Christ - Chosen us - before the foundations of the world –v3. God chose his people before the foundation of the world. What a comforting thought? He says to Jeremiah that he was chosen before the his birth – Jeremiah 1:5. Again through the letter to Romans – the great truth of Election – Romans 9:13 talking about Esau and Jacob, that God chose Jacob. It is not us who chose him but he chose us – John 15:16. Is it corporate election or personal election? Ponder on that…
b. In Christ - Predestined us - v5. God has set the destiny ahead. Whom he foreknow, he also predestined to be confirmed to the image of his son – Romans 8:29 – Predestination is for us to be confirmed to the perfect image of his son. Even in Ephesians that is reason, He not only unites all things in Christ, put all under Christ, he confirms his people to image – Eph 4:13. To full stature of measure of Christ – again the image of son.
c. Adoption through Jesus Christ – v5. We are adopted into the family of God through Christ Jesus, we are given the Spirit of sonship – so that we can call “Abba, Father”. One can become child of God only if he/she has relation with Christ – John 1:12 – To them that receive Christ, he gave them power to become children of God.
d. In Christ, we have redemption through his blood – “Forgiveness of our sins” – v7. Redeeming work of Christ Jesus gives us forgiveness of our sin. Without shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. Through the work of Cross – Jesus has brought redeemed us from the curse of the Law – Gal 3:13, curse of sin, penalty of sin and wrath of God.
e. In Christ we obtained an Inheritance – v11 – Unfading, incorruptible inheritance – 1 Peter 1:4
f. Through gospel believed in Christ – sealed with Holy Spirit the guarantee – v13. Again in Christ – we have received holy Spirit. People who do not have relationship with Christ – have not the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:9 - If anyone who does not have the spirit of Christ, does not belong to God. Only after believing in Christ Jesus, he sends us the Spirit. John 14 and 15 our Lord explains that he asks the father to send the Holy Spirit. Only through Christ are we sealed with Holy Spirit. Peter on the day of Pentecost explains in Acts 2:36-38, Repent, believe, baptize and receive Holy Spirit. Seal of Holy Spirit talks about couple of things – Ownership and authority. Here Seal of Holy Spirit is a deposit, guarantee to make sure we get the full inheritance of God in Christ Jesus in future, the works of Holy Spirit proves and points to future fulfillment of all the completeness of eternal blessings in Christ Jesus.
We are so blessed, if only the believers in Christ Jesus could understand, praise and worship for his blessings.

2.Christ the head (κεφαλὴν ) – Church his body (σῶμα) and his fullness or completeness(πλήρωμα ) – Ephesians 1:22-23
Headship represents authority; Headship represents the one who leads. Christ who is our head, church is his body. Body analogy is given so that we can understand. To Christ belongs authority in Church, All authority is given to me – Matt 28:19-20, He put all things under Christ – Ephesians 1:21. To the Church – Christ is head. Church gets all the authority to do the works from the head of Christ, all the thoughts and will of the God is revealed through Christ to the church. Church is the Body, When Christ gives the commands the hands, feet and body does the work, Church is Christ hands, feet and implements the work of the Lord. Church is the body which is seen to this world and ministers to the need of the people around. In the church as members of body, all submit to the headship to Christ, Romans Chapter 12, 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4 explain how the Church functions as the body. In the body there are several members, so church has several members as the body of Christ. As the members of body has several different functions, so does the members of Church have distinct work to do, some play music, some are called to preach/teach, some are called to Pastor, some are called to be evangelists, apostles, prophets and so on as mentioned in Ephesians 4. But to all the head is Christ, It is Christ who appoints and communicates the work to each of the member of the body. Christ who calls, ordains and communicates.
We are his fullness – completeness. Church is the completeness of Christ. Through church the manifold wisdom of God is displayed, through Church Christ is shown to the world. We are ambassadors of Christ, fragrance of Christ, representatives of Christ, apostles (sent) by Christ, We are display of the God’s fullness of Christ. The word (πλήρωμα ) is used several times - Eph 3:18 - Filled with fullness of God, Eph 5:18 – filled with spirit. The word Pleroomai – means “make complete”, “have a full degree” and “perfection”. Church becomes the completeness of Christ, Church is the have full degree of Christ, in another words the world should Christ in and through the Church.
For a believers personal life, the thoughts, will and life from Christ, Christ is the head of all believers – 1 Corinthians 11. Every child of God who realizes that, honors his head, gives priority and exalts the Christ who is the head.
3.Christ the Cornerstone (ἀκρογωνιαῖος ) – Church the temple (ναός ) of God– Ephesians 2:20-22
Christ is the corner stone for the church. Lord Jesus said – “I will build my church” – It is Lord who builds the church – Lord added unto them as that were saved daily – Acts 2:47. It is the Lord who builds but he is the corner stone of the church, without Christ, there is no structure of Church. Church is group of people who are forgiven by the sacrifice of Christ Jesus and redeemed and made children of God,that is how Christ is the cornerstone of Church. As mentioned in Isaiah 28:16 “Therefore thus says the LORD, I am the one who laid foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone a precious corner stone of a sure foundation”. LORD God almighty has laid a corner stone in Zion – Christ Jesus our Lord. The stone that builders rejected has become a precious corner stone – Ps 118:22. Which our Lord quotes talking to the Pharisees in Matthew 21:42. Pharisees the builders of the God’s ekklesia – congregation rejected the cornerstone, but God has laid the foundation on this stone. Christ Jesus is the stone is seen as the stone in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel 2. Church is built on the cornerstone of Christ Jesus.
God wanted to dwell in the middle of the people that was his desire from the beginning , the theme runs through- out the bible, from Genesis to Revelation for example here are few references – Exodus 29:45-46, Zech 2:10, 2 Corinthians 6:16-18, Revelation 21:3.
How God dwelt in the middle of the people was in tabernacle while Israel made journey from the Egypt to promised land, Exodus 25:8 – Let them make a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. Every time the tent was pitched the tabernacle was erected and the God’s glory and presence was there to council and help the people of God. When Israel found rest in the promised land, LORD God dwelt in the middle of the nation in Jerusalem, where Temple was built by Solomon there his glory and presence dwelt – 1 kings 8. All nation of Israel gathered to the LORD at Jerusalem.
But in New Testament, the promise and work was fulfilled in the more special and wonderful way that church became the Temple of God, where God dwells. Every time a group of believers gather, the temple of Christ is established. 1 Corinthians 3:16 – talking to the Church at Corinth Paul says, you are temple of God, Holy Spirit dwells in you, You are that temple. God dwells in the believer – 1 Corinthians 6:19 – Do you not know you’re your body is temple of the living God and Holy Spirit dwells in you.
In the church God dwells – Revelation 2 & 3 chapters explain that Christ walks in the middle of church and observe everything that goes on, yes Church is temple of God and He dwells in the Church.

4.Mystery of Christ – Gentile are fellow heirs (συγκληρονόμος ) in promise – One people – Ephesians 3:6

Israel was God’s covenant people, to them belongs the Law, oracles of God, but God who is rich in mercy, rich in his grace has opened the gates of salvation to the gentiles who believe and come in to become the people of God, like Israelites, become the co-heirs of the household of God. Ephesians 2 – clearly says the middle wall of separation was broken down to make one new people for the Lord. We are grafted to the olive tree to become a part take in the promises of God, to be special people and chosen of the Lord – Romans 11:11-24.
There is no difference between Jew or Gentile in the house of God, all are washed and saved through the same manner. Gal 3:28.
The promise to Abraham because of you all nations will be blessed and the Malachi prophet’s words that name of the Lord will be beyond the borders of Israel. The Mystery of Christ is that Gentiles who are far apart from the common wealth of God, are fellow heirs of Jewish family, members of same body, so Jew and Gentiles become one body which is the church, that God wanted and promised for a long time they become the partaker of the promise through gospel of Christ Jesus. It is the gospel who is the agent who brings the mystery to gather – to make Jews and Gentile to one body and one people of God.

5.Eternal purpose in Christ – Church to display manifold wisdom (σοφία ) of God – Ephesians 3:10-11
Purpose of God in Christ is to display the wisdom of God through the church. Christ is the wisdom of God – I Corinthians 1:30 – Wisdom of God is displayed to the rulers, powers and authorities through the church. Church is the medium through which the Christ’s Word of wisdom, works of wisdom, are displayed. Powers of the world, authorities will learn the wisdom of God through church. 1 Peter 1:10 – Angels are interested in the plan of salvation and how God is working his plan. When sinner repent angels rejoice in the presence of God as mentioned in Luke 15:10, 1 Corinthians 11:1-10 – says the angels sake cover the head, that indicates the Angels come to the church. Manifold wisdom – Wisdom is multi-colored of many ways.

6.Christ the Lord (κύριος ) – Church is blessed with gifts (δόμα ) – Ephesians 4:4, 8
The ascended Lord gave gifts to the church, He descended and then he ascended, after his ascension he gave gifts. Christ gives gifts to use it for building of the church – Eph 4:12-13, so that the believers may grow to the full measure of Christ, to the mature manhood of Christ. Wiersbe says gifts are not toys to play with but tools to build with. The reason the Lord gave gifts is for mutual edification of the members of body. Gifts are of many kinds, some have debated it to be temporary vs permanent, the text does not talk about that. The text about the 4 different offices , Apostles, Prophets, evangelist and Pastor-teach and the functions are mentioned in the 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12. The gifts and calling of the Lord is irrevocable. The gifts if not proper used, the Lord will discipline. One day the Lord will ask the account of how the gifts are used as illustrated in the parable of talent in Matt 25. Are you using your gift for the Lord? The one who hid the gift was the one who had a wrong view of the master. This one did not invest his gift for the Lord.
7. Christ the Groom - husband (ἀνήρ - man) loves - Church the bride (γυνή - wife ) – Ephesians 5:2, 25,32
God is husband and Israel is the wife – Isaiah 54:5, all book of Hosea is about Israel as God’s unfaithful wife. God entered a relationship with his people through covenant, which our Lord likens to a marriage relationship. Idolatry is treated as spiritual adultery. In the NT, the Christ Jesus is portrayed as the groom and husband of the church. The duty of the husband is to love his wife – Christ demonstrated, Gal 1:4; 2:20; Ephesians 5:2 he loved us and gave himself for us. Church has entered the relationship which is started by believing and trusting Christ Jesus a person’s savior and Lord at which time the Holy Spirit is given as a deposit to indwell as a guarantee of the full blessing to come. Believer and Church has to respect and submit to Christ. They become one, Christ and church as one. The famous Hymn – The Church is one foundation and Jesus Christ her lord. From heaven he came and sought us to be his holy bride. The love of Christ – sacrificial love (5:25), and Love of Christ is sanctifying Love – 5:26. He washed the church with water of his word to be pure and blameless.

In Christ
Sam Boodala
http://sboodala.blogspot.com