Season 3 Episode 1 Adopted in Christ

Ephesians 1

1) What is this mystery that Paul Speaks of? (Paul uses "mystery" 21 times in the New Testament & 6 times in the book of Ephesians).
     a) It is the inclusion of the Gentiles as fellow heirs with Christ along with Messianic Jews.  
     b) It is the establishment of the church, a new concept, that does not exclude Gentiles from the promises of God, through faith and obedience in Christ.
     c) The work and purposes of Jesus Christ on the cross and his resurrection was concealed in the Old Testament but is now revealed in the New Testament for the benefit of all mankind and not just Israel alone (Body of Christ & Bride of Christ).

2) Christ in you is the central theme of the Ephesians.
     a) Paul used the phrase “in Christ” or references union with Christ close to 40 times in the book of Ephesians.
     b) Jesus Christ coming alive in you, a new creation, is unique to Christianity.  We are saved first but must learn how to walk in obedience and truth through faith in Christ. 
     c) Christ is not Jesus's last name.  Christ means “Anointed One” or “Messiah.” All of mankind has been united under one King & One Savior through faith in Jesus.   

3) We are a new creation is Christ.
     a) The gift of the Holy Spirit is Christ’s seal of ownership over us guaranteeing our salvation.
     b) The same Holy Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives within us and gives us the mind of Christ,
     c) We must learn to walk in step with the Holy Spirit and learn how to feed the new creation and not our carnal nature.

Discussion Question: “What is a new creation in Christ supposed to look like from a Biblical perspective?”