Made Nigh by the Blood of Christ

2018-09-03

Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; (12) That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: (13) But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. (14) For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; (15) Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; (16) And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: (17) And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. (18) For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. (19) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; (20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (21) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: (22) In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:11-22)

Just as the previous section of Scripture demonstrated our salvation by the quickening power of God apart from our works, this section shows our salvation apart from being a part of the Old Testament covenant community.

  1. To be a part of the old covenant, you had to be circumcised. God’s old covenant centered around the physical nation of Israel, in which all men were circumcised. There was a stigma attached to the Gentiles because they were not circumcised (1 Samuel 31:1-4), and that stigma continued even for Gentile Christians. Even if you were partially Jewish, such as the Samaritans, that was not good enough (John 4:7-9). Even though the Scriptures taught to be peaceable to strangers (Exodus 22:21; Leviticus 19:33-34), that never seemed to make a difference. Now, Christ circumcised us spiritually, which is the fulfillment of the what circumcision was to represent (Deuteronomy 30:6). Ephesians 2:11
  2. Before Christ, God’s people were a part of the nation of Israel. You were not automatically born a part of the Old Testament covenants. If you were not a part of Israel, there was no hope. The nations worshipped false gods. To worship God, you had to go to Jerusalem three times a year (Exodus 23:17). Even after the reign of Solomon, northern Israel worshipped false gods and did not go to Jerusalem as required by the covenant. Ephesians 2:12
  3. As Gentiles, we are no longer alienated by national division. The blood of Christ atoned our sins. We were brought near to God, as new creatures with a new citizenship. The triannual trip to Jerusalem is not required, as Christ has brought us near (John 4:19-24). Ephesians 2:13
  4. Jesus Christ is our peace. He is our peace in the sense in that we now have peace with God (Romans 5:1). We also have peace with God’s people (who are truly of faith). There is no more an us-versus-them mentality, but rather a new body created from Jewish and Gentile people who believe in Christ. Ephesians 2:14
  5. The enmity of the law has been abolished. Jesus Christ was condemned in our place. This new man, a spiritual nation (1 Peter 2:9), is the real nation that matters. As believers, we are a part of this new nation. Ephesians 2:15-16
  6. Genealogy does not matter. There is a preacher named John Hagee who says that Jews do not need Jesus because they have another covenant with God. This is false; the Jews need Jesus Christ to be saved like everyone else. The citizenship of the old nation of Israel does not matter anymore; being a part of this new spiritual nation is what makes a difference. Ephesians 2:17
  7. Access to the Father is by the Holy Spirit for both Jew and Gentile. There is no special path or shortcut to circumvent the blood of Christ or the indwelling Holy Spirit. When the Gentile Cornelius and his household were saved, they received the same Spirit that the Jews had previously received (Acts 11:15-18). Ephesians 2:18
  8. We as Gentiles are not second-class citizens to the Jews. Even in Exodus 22:21 and other passages, the Gentiles were still called “strangers.” However, we are very much citizens of God’s kingdom as the believing Jews are. There are not two separate kingdoms; there is one kingdom of God. Ephesians 2:19
  9. We are built upon apostles and prophets. The apostles were the eyewitnesses of the resurrected Christ and were entrusted with the authority to preach and write the New Testament. Prophets, or preachers, continue to preach the Gospel today. But everything points to Jesus Christ, who holds everything together. Ephesians 2:20
  10. We are the temple of God. This “new man,” or spiritual nation, is the new temple. This holy temple superseded the Old Testament temple and the old nation of Israel. We worship God in spirit and in truth and are complete in Jesus Christ. God dwells in us. Ephesians 2:21-22