- 23 May 2021
- New Testament
Christian Identity, the Church, and Mission
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is probally the least situational of all his letters, because it does not explicitly address any specific problem. As a circular letter, it is a manifesto to the church, describing its identity: who it is, how it came about, how it must conduct itself, and its mission within Christ’s sovereign rule.
A major theme of reconciliation between Jew and Gentile is developed. Paul draws out the implications of living as God’s reconciled people and addresses how the church functions with God’s grand vision of peace and unity in the world.
Chapters 1-3 present the foundational story of how the church understands its identity in Christ.
Chapters 4-6 exhorts the church to live out its calling in the world.