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BIBLE
STUDY LESSON
For
the week beginning Sunday March 29, 2020
JEWS AND GENTILES ARE ONE IN JESUS
CHRIST
Ephesians 2:11-22
In
Ephesians 2, taking up at verse 12, the Apostle Paul talks about “the state of
the Gentile before CHRIST”. Here Paul states “five disadvantages” of the
pre-CHRIST Gentile and he doesn’t include “circumcision” in his list. Paul
never considered circumcision to be a necessary act (Acts 15) for Gentiles to
partake in, in order to become a follower of CHRIST JESUS. At least one of the
items on this list is also shared by the Jewish believers. On Paul’s list of
reminders to the Gentiles we find that before CHRIST;
·
Gentiles,
like Jews were living apart from HIM.
·
Gentiles
were excluded from GOD’s people, Israel.
·
Gentiles
did not share in the promises of GOD.
·
Gentiles
lived without knowledge of GOD’s Will.
·
Gentiles
were without hope.
GOD, through HIS wisdom, determined that HE
would form HIS “new Church” out of “flawed material” (mankind), because HE
loved us, even as we were, still sinners, deeply embedded in our own
transgressions. HE began this process by recreating us, in and through, HIS
SON, JESUS, and as a result, HE effectively closed the spiritual gap between
the Jews and the Gentiles.
Before JESUS’ vicarious sacrifice on the
cross redeemed all mankind in general, and all Christians in particular, the
Jews had enjoyed “a special covenant relationship with GOD” that the Gentiles
were not privy to. JESUS came to usher in a “New Covenant” from GOD, and it is
a covenant that is far superior to any, before, or since that time.
It is the duty of the Christian (Jews and
Gentiles) to build his or her foundation on that “Most High Faith”
(Christianity), that was ushered in by CHRIST JESUS our LORD, learning to pray
in the power of the HOLY SPIRIT, and never again forgetting the conditions of
that covenant, under which the love of GOD has called us. And then, finally, we
must all, still, wait on mercy from JESUS CHRIST unto eternal life.
By bringing Jews and Gentiles together
through the cross, JESUS effectively settled the longstanding feud between the
only two races that ever mattered. Now, both Jews and Gentiles are fellow
citizens and members of GOD’s divine household and holy temple (the Christian
Church). JESUS HIMSELF has made us all one people under GOD (V.14).
In verses 15-18 we see that CHRIST, the
PEACEMAKER and Jew, died for the Gentile, and by doing so, “HE removed the
barrier that is Jewish Law”, a barrier to both races of people that was
mistakenly viewed as the way to GOD, by the Jews. HE opened up the way for both
to be joined together as “one new man” in the body of CHRIST. Christianity
serves as “peace” to anyone who wishes to become a living part of it. In it we
can find peace with GOD, and, peace among each other.
The thought of being “built together for
GOD’s dwelling” (v.22) is a wonderful one, and even though every believer is
“saved” individually, each person also immediately becomes a part of “a greater
body in CHRIST JESUS”, WHO is the Church. Together, Christians (Jews and
Gentiles) are the people whom GOD indwells with HIS HOLY SPIRIT. Through us, HE
is able to display HIS glory, and thereby, we possess the divine opportunity to
show the whole world that Christianity really does produce the best men and
women.
In the Christian Church, JESUS makes a place
for all mankind to enter into the family of the Almighty GOD in Heaven. And the
Church can only realize its unity when it understands fully that it cannot
exist apart from CHRIST JESUS. It has to provide a home for the SPIRIT of
CHRIST to dwell in, and an opportunity for every man, woman, and child to meet,
in that SPIRIT.
A
Sunday school lesson by,
Larry
D. Alexander
LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official
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