Epistle of Ascension - Ephesians 1

Ephesians has been called many things, one of them being the "Epistle of Ascension" by Salmond and also the "Crown of Paulinism" by Bruce. Both make perfect sense in their connotations. Ephesians, like Romans, was a letter not dealing with any one thing (like so many of the Pauline epistles) rather it deals with the doctrines, precepts, and experiences of the Christian faith. With themes of unity, grace, and God's will this book is packed full of truths for everyday life. A prison epistle, Paul's introduction leaves out the word Ephesus in some of the earliest transcripts, leading theologians to believe that this letter was not for the Ephesian church alone, but rather that it was to be passed around amongst all the churches of the area. This snippet does not hold much value in the long run, as whether it was to Ephesus specifically or not, it is a divinely inspired letter that is now being passed to any believer who will read it.

Paul emphasizes in this first chapter the divine will of God and the purpose of his choosing. Although the two sides stand in opposition (Calvinism versus Arminianism) they truly are two sides of the same coin. We will never be able to identify who exactly the predestined or elect are, but the fact of the matter is that God is calling each of us to himself and what we do with that call is on us. This isn't an argument on the validity of one stance versus the other (I am a provisionist who uses John 17 as my guide on the matter) but a statement on God calling us all, Jew or Gentile, in love and by his great mercy, to become sons of God. The Greek word for adoption or sons is literally sonplace and was only one word, with no differentiation as to biological or not. You were a son or you were not. God in his great love and mercy (Chapter 1:5-10) redeemed us by Christ's sacrifice and has made us equals with Christ as sons and heirs with him. And the purpose for this great action? "To bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ." (verse 10)

The significance of the redeeming work requires a small but mighty word. Notice that we are redeemed by his blood (verse 7.) We are not redeemed by Christ's immense power, though all encompassing as it is, or by his immeasurable love, but by his blood. Atonement must be made, the payment could not be withheld or put off, sin must be punished by death, paid for with blood. And so he did just that.

In the Old Testament times, atonement was made with the blood of an animal, but it was a sacrifice that had to be continually made. With Christ, it was accomplished with a single death for all and sealed with the Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 1:22 states that "He annointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." This guarantee is all our hope is in. Verse 14 of Ephesians 1 says a very similar statement, "Who (speaking of the Holy Spirit) is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession - to the praise of his glory." This one verse tells us so much; we are God's valued possession, we have a purpose - to glorify him, and we have a promise, the Spirit.

"It is a heresy of our times to divide life into sacred and secular." Foulkes

The second half of this first chapter deals with what I think is one of the truest examples of prayer in the Bible. Christ himself is the perfect example of prayer (think of his actions in the garden of Gethsemane and how often he went away to pray and be alone with God) and just behind Christ in terms of prayer life in scripture is the Apostle Paul. In almost every one of his letters he speaks of his active prayer for those particular saints. In this letter he is grateful in prayer, hearing of their testimony of faith and love, as well as a prayer for encouragement, guidance, and wisdom for the people as they grow in Christ. It is important to note that the faith and love the Ephesian Christians were displaying were not actions that were gaining them status with God, quite the opposite actually. Because of their status of salvation, and having the Holy Spirit sealed within them, their salvation was proved by their faith and love. Paul's prayer was that the Christian's would know God more. That they would have wisdom and revelation (verse 17) in order to do just that.

"The seal is therefore the Holy Spirit himself and his presence in teh believer denotes ownership and security. The sealing of the Spirit is not an emotional feeling." Gaebelien

And finally, Paul speaks on God's power to raise Christ, and how that same power is used to raise us from the depths of our depravity and sin. This power is everything. The power to lay down his life and take it back up again (John 10:18) is the same power he uses to lift us up, to place Christ at his right hand, and to grant us the inheritance we share with Christ. I'm going to say it again because it needs to be understood, this power is everything. The purpose for all that God has done is for the sake of unity of the church, "Which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way." Verse 23

"But as love is the fulfilling of the law, and love the foundation whence their salvation flows, therefore love must fill their hearts towards God and each other." Clarke