INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY: BOOK OF EPHESIANS

INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY: BOOK OF EPHESIANS

By Dennis Schmidt 2/2008

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This paper discusses the book of Ephesians. Ephesians' is the first of Paul's prison epistles with Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon being the others. They were written during his imprisonment in 61 AD. God reveals his mystery in Ephesians: the church. All scriptures are from the King James' version Bible.

EPHESIAN'S THEME:

- GOD GATHERS TOGETHER IN ONE ALL THINGS IN CHRIST IN HEAVEN & ON EARTH.

Ephesians 1:10 "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:"

- PERFECT SAINTS FOR MINISTRY & UNITY OF THE FAITH.

Ephesians 4:12-13 "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: {13} Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:"

CHAPTER THEMES & ELEMENTS

BOOK

STRUCTURE

GOD'S PLAN

OUTLINE FOR EPHESIANS:

CHAPTER(S) THEMES

Predestine

God's

sovereignty

The Church

God's plan for salvation

Salutations {1:1-2}

Chosen & Sealed {1:3-23}

(Chapter 1) In Christ, gather in one all people, Jews & Gentiles by His election, predestination, & calling: God's plan

Gentiles sinners,

were not in God's

plan, now are.

Saved by Grace {2:1-10}

United in one body {2:11-22}

(Chapter 2) In Christ, Jews & Gentiles, are made one with equal access to God.

Mystery of

Church revealed

All in Christ

Equals in the one body – Jew & Gentile {3:1-21}

(Chapter 3) Mystery of Church, Jews & Gentiles, fellow heirs of promises.

Church is one

with God supplying

ministries

God's work to Church of

practical applications

of their salvation

Believer's life to other believers saved ones {4:1-6}

Believer's life to spiritual gifts {4:7-16}

Believer's life to former life {4:17-32}

(Chapter 4) Ministries of Spirit for perfecting saints to preserve & grow.

Walk in love

fulfilling duties of

God.

Believer's life to evil {5:1-17}

Believer's life to Holy Spirit {5:18-21}

Believer's life to his home life {5:22-6:4}

(Chapter 5) Walk in love of Christ toward family and redeeming time by being filled with the Spirit.

Christian duties

Christian warfare

Believer's life to slaves & masters {6:5-9}

Believer's life to Spiritual warfare {6:10-20}

Conclusion {6:21-24}

(Chapter 6) Christian duties & relationships. Christian preparation for warfare against Satan.

AUTHOR: Apostle Paul DATE: 61 AD FROM: Rome Prison TO: Ephesus & Other Saints in other cities (Colosse)

PURPOSE:. REVEAL THE MYSTERY 0F THE CHURCH, JEWS, & GENTILES, ONE IN CHRIST.

Ephesians 3:3, 6 "How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, {6} That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:"

KEY VERSES:

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: {9} Not of works, lest any man should boast."

KEY WORD(S)/CHAPTER(S): [ In Christ ] (1, 2, 3, 4), [ Holy ] [ Spirit ] (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6), [ Faith ] (2, 3, 4, 6), [ Heaven ] (1, 2, 3, 4), [ Grace ] (1, 2, 3, 4, 6), [ Power ] (1, 2, 3, 6), [ Body ]/[ Church ] (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), [ Redeemed ] (1, 4, 5), [ Saint ] (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6), [ Predestine ] (1), [ Called ] (1, 2, 4), [ Love ] (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6), [ Peace ] (1, 2, 4, 6), [ Mystery ] (1, 3, 5, 6), [ One ] (1, 2, 4, 5), [ Together ] (1, 2, 4), [ Riches ] (1, 2, 3)

SPECIAL KEY WORDS (LIMITED):

1) [ Unity ], [ Together ], & [ One ]: [ Unity ]: 4:3, 4:13; [ Together ]: 1:10, 2:5-6, 2:22; [ One ]: 2:15-16, 18, 4:4-6

2) [ In Christ ]: 1:1, 1:3, 1:10, 1:12, 1:15, 1:20, 2:6, 2:10, 2:13, 3:6, 3:11, 4:21

3) In [ Heavenly ] places: 1:3, 1:20, 2:6, 3:10

4) [ Saints ]: 1:1, 1:15, 1:18, 2:19, 3:8, 3:18, 4:12, 5:3, 6:18

5) [ Grace ]: 1:2, 1:6-7, 2:5, 2:7-8, 3:2, 3:7-8, 4:7, 4:29, 6:24

6) [ Peace ]: 1:2, 2:14-15, 2:17, 4:3, 6:15, 6:23

OUTLINE FOR EPHESIANS:

I) SALUTATIONS: {EPHESIANS 1:1-2}

II) BELIEVER'S POSITION: CHOSEN, SEALED, SAVED, UNITED, EQUAL: {EPHESIANS 1:3-3:21}

A) CHOSEN AND SEALED: {EPHESIANS 1:3-23}

B) SAVED BY GRACE: {EPHESIANS 2:1-10}

C) UNITED IN ONE BODY: {EPHESIANS 2:11-22}

D) EQUALS IN THE ONE BODY - JEW & GENTILE: {EPHESIANS 3:1-21}

III) BELIEVER'S LIFE TO: SAVED, GIFTS, LIFE, EVIL, SPIRIT, HOME {EPHESIANS 4:1-6:20}

A) BELIEVER'S LIFE TO OTHER BELIEVERS - SAVED ONES: {EPHESIANS 4:1-6}

B) BELIEVER'S LIFE TO SPIRITUAL GIFTS: {EPHESIANS 4:7-16}

C) BELIEVER'S LIFE TO FORMER LIFE: {EPHESIANS 4:17-32}

D) BELIEVER'S LIFE TO EVIL: {EPHESIANS 5:1-17}

E) BELIEVER'S LIFE TO HOLY SPIRIT: {EPHESIANS 5:18-21}

F) BELIEVER'S LIFE TO HIS HOME LIFE: {EPHESIANS 5:22-6:4}

G) BELIEVER'S LIFE TO SLAVES AND MASTERS: {EPHESIANS 6:5-9}

H) BELIEVER'S LIFE TO SPIRITUAL WARFARE: {EPHESIANS 6:10-20}

IV) CONCLUSION: {EPHESIANS 6:21-24}

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

Acts 18:19 "And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. {20} When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not; {21} But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus."

Acts 19:1-6, "And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, {2} He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. {3} And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. {4} Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. {5} When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. {6} And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, & prophesied."

Acts 19:8-13, 17-19, 26, 34 "And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. {9} But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. {10} And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. {11} And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: {12} So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. {13} Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. {17} And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. {18} And many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds. {19} Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. {26} Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: {34} But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians."

Acts 20:16-18 "For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost. {17} And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. {18} And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,"

Revelation 2:1-6 "Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks {2} I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: {3} And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. {4} Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. {5} Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. {6} But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate."

LOCATION

Ephesus: An important Roman city in western Asia minor, now Turkey. The city had a major banking area and had the temple of Antemis (Diana: the bright one). It was a magnificent structure ranked as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The figure also was on the Roman coins.

In Revelation 2:1-2:7 Jesus said they lost their first love. Their have done good also: works, labor, patience, not faint, can not bear evil men, hate Nicolatitians & tried apostles who are fakes. God told them to repent & do 1st works, they eat of tree of life in midst of paradise of God; or he remove candlestick.

I) SALUTATIONS: {EPHESIANS 1:1-2}

WHO: PAUL IS THE AUTHOR & WRITTEN TO WHOM: SAINTS AT EPHESUS

Ephesians 1:1 "Paul, an apostle of M Jesus M T Christ T by the will of /\ God /\, to the [ saints ] which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in T Christ T M Jesus M :"

Paul: Saul: means asked for, and Paul: means little or small. Paul is in Rome in prison, but his care for the church is of most importances. He does believe he will leave the prison as he said that he be coming to them in Philemon 22 & Philippians 1:26 & 2:24. Paul had never been in Colosse and on his fourth missionary journey he finally went there. Paul had been to Ephesus a few times and spent two years there (Acts 19:10) on his third missionary journey.

Apostle: An Apostle is one sent by God, with power of attorney and authority, to act (with power) in place of sender. He was chosen and ordained to the position to be a witness of what God shows him.

See my paper: "Apostles" for more information on this subject.

Apostles started many churches and appointed Elders to the church.

Sent by God -

See my paper: "Church Offices & Their Qualifications" for more information on this subject.

1 Corinthians 9:1-2 "Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? {2} If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord."

2 Corinthians 12:12 "Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

Galatians 2:8 "(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)" circumcision = Jews

Hebrews 2:4 "God also bearing <them> witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?"

By the will of God:

Galatians 1:1 "Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

Ephesians 4:11 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;"

Saints: Sanctified one: saved, set apart, consecrated, dedicated, separated by God for His special function, use, and purpose.

Psalms 50:5 "Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice."

Hebrews 10:10 "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once <for all>."

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KEY WORD: SAINT {EPHESIANS 1:1-6:18}

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(1) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: {Ephesians 1:1}

(2) Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, {Ephesians 1:15}

(3) The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, {Ephesians 1:18}

(4) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; {Ephesians 2:19}

(5) Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; {Ephesians 3:8}

(6) May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; {Ephesians 3:18}

(7) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: {Ephesians 4:12}

(8) But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; {Ephesians 5:3}

(9) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; {Ephesians 6:18}

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KEY WORD: IN CHRIST/IN THE LORD/IN JESUS {EPHESIANS 1:1-4:21}

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(1) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: {Ephesians 1:1}

(2) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: {Ephesians 1:3}

(3) That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: {Ephesians 1:10}

(4) Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, {Ephesians 1:15}

(5) Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, {Ephesians 1:20}

(6) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: {Ephesians 2:6}

(7) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. {Ephesians 2:10}