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EPHESIANS - Be Filled With The Spirit
Meditations, Reflections, Prayer and Questions over the Epistel to the Ephesians
Part 1 - The Prayers of the Apostle at the Beginning of his Letter for the Churches in and around Ephesus (Ephesians 1:3-23)
A - A Prayer of the Apostle at the Beginning of his Letter for the Churches in and around Ephesus (Ephesians 1:3-15)

The spiritual diagnosis of Paul for the Hellenistic saints in Ephesus (Ephesians 1:13-14)


Ephesians 1:11
1:13 “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory” (Eph. 1:13-14).

After Paul had outlined the uniqueness and privileges of Jewish Christians in the house church assemblies of the provincial capital of Asia Minor, he equally began to record his analysis of the Greek and Roman believers – all in a framework of worship and praise to the Father of Jesus Christ. This began with the same formulation as in the description of Jewish Christians: “In Him!” This is the mark and identification of true Christians at all times and on all continents. They are no longer independent or abandoned to a life of loneliness and forsakenness. Rather, they have surrendered themselves totally to the Lord Jesus. They became incorporated and embodied “in Him”. They live in His society. Every reader of the letter to the Ephesians should ask himself the question whether or not this diagnosis is also true of him. If the answer is “no”, then a merciful about-face, repentance, and faith in the Redeemer is necessary. If the answer is “yes”, then let thanksgiving and worship rise up in him to reflect the glow of his heart for this great privilege.

Paul explained how such a spiritual about-face should function and how “being in Christ” came about in the saints in Ephesus. He wrote to them that the mystery of their faith was connected with the Word of truth that they had heard from him and other witnesses of Christ. In so saying he did not refer to the philosophies of a Plato or an Aristotle, Rather, he pointed them directly to the reality of Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of the creative and redeeming word of God. In Him the new decree becomes visible. His holy love represents the correct standard for all mankind, for no one is righteous in himself – no not one. Furthermore, the cross of Christ proves the truth of God´s love for all sinners, and that He offered up His only begotten Son for them to save them from the coming judgment. Whoever understands and believes these truths and offers thanksgiving for them is placed “in Christ”, and receives from Him his new and eternal life.

Paul called his message “the gospel of salvation”. It is not certain whether or not one of the four Greek Gospels had already arrived and become known in this capital city of the province of Asia by the time Paul visited there. Therefore, the words of the “small apostle” had the effect of a saving message from heaven. He described his proclamation as the “gospel that brings salvation”. The Greek word, “Euanggelion” was already in use in the north-eastern Mediterranean region before Christ. At the time of Paul it was reserved for special announcements from the residence of the Roman Emperor. If Caesar had a son born to him or if his army had won a victory, this event was made known in public places with drums beating and trumpets sounding. Therefore a gospel contained no philosophy to be discussed, but rather, a report of an historical fact – over which everyone should rejoice! The Lord Jesus and His apostles used this word to elucidate the joyous character of their good message…namely, that the Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary, had redeemed the fallen world with His Father in heaven. For that reason Paul called his proclamation “the gospel of your salvation” in his letter to the saints in Ephesus. Martin Luther translated it as “the gospel of your blessedness”. His formulation is thereby connected with the fact that this marvellous salvation distinguishes itself through the truth that the saints have been implanted “in Christ”, and that they remain sheltered “in Him”.

The spiritual working of the gospel of the Christ who saves is realized through faith in Him. This faith manifests itself in a growing trust in our Lord and Savior. It further leads to a handing over or surrender of the past, present and future to Him. The believer becomes bound to his Lord and Savior, as through an unwritten covenant, encompassing all time and eternity. Without a faith-connection to Jesus Christ, there is no forgiveness of sins, no shelter in Him, and no peace with God. That is why the other world religions know of no redemption by grace, no salvation of the heart, and no certain hope of eternal life. The Christian faith resembles the plugging in of a power plug into a functional electrical socket. Through this contact electric current can flow, bringing about light, heat and propulsion.

Dr. Martin Luther precisely formulated this spiritual meaning of faith in his small catechism: “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith; even as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith”.

Faith, thereby, does not merely mean giving intellectual assent to Jesus Christ, following a study of the gospel. Much more, it leads to the reception of His power, His light, His love and His Holy Spirit.

The Apostle Paul described this course of events as a sealing in the sense of an indelible marking, like a branding (2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 4:30; Rev. 7:3). For Ezekiel this sealing by an angel represented a protective marking on all those who cried out in dismay over the abominations taking place, so that the wrath and judgment of God could pass over them (Ez. 9:1-11). All other men, religious in appearance only, were destroyed after his vision.

Christians belong no more to themselves, but have become the property of God and of His Son Jesus Christ: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine” (Is. 43:1; 44:22). The Lord Jesus Christ has taken over the leading, directing and the protection of those who have surrendered themselves to Him. He confirmed this mystery in his pictorial speech regarding the Good Shepherd: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:27-28).

For that reason we need have neither fear nor worry of being sealed with the Holy Spirit, for it is nothing other than the indwelling of this Spirit in those who believe on Christ. It is what produces the spiritual second-birth and entitles the believer to a share in eternal life. For this purpose Christ died on the cross, that we might receive the life of the Father and of the Son (John 3:3, 5, 14-18; 5:24; 8:12; 11:25-26; 14:6). It is not our feeling that is decisive, but rather our faith! Whoever entrusts himself to Jesus receives His Holy Spirit, whether he feels it or not. This assurance that one has received the Spirit comes for some only later, sometimes following a period of having his faith tried.

In any event, we should not hesitate regarding faith, for “If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His” (Rom. 8:9b). And “no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:3b). A church and its members without the Holy Spirit resemble a large room with lights, ventilators and heating, yet without electricity. There is “death in the pot” (2 Kings 4:40) in spite of all necessary furnishings and spiritual liturgies.

The Apostle Paul did not offer these realities to the spiritual leaders of the fellowships in Ephesus as a doctrine, but as a prayer of thanksgiving for them. Testifying in a conditional clause, he wrote: “Since you believed, the Holy Spirit came into you”. The succession of these events, occurring as they do, leads to valuable spiritual experience in the care and counselling of souls. In the end it leads to worship of the Father and of the Son.

If someone is of the impression that the power and the grace of the Holy Spirit is lacking in him, we encourage him to believe, hope and trust. Jesus Christ died so that you might receive the Holy Spirit! Before Jesus offered Himself for all our evil and malice, there stood a mountain of sins like a high dam between us and the Holy God. That held back and slowed the coming of His blessing and of His good Spirit. Now that Jesus has born away and completely atoned for the sins of the world, the Spirit of grace can enter into all searching and penitent ones. Since Jesus completed a general-amnesty for all men in all times, these truths only need to be believed and accepted. It is then the grace and the power of God begins to have an outworking in believers.

On the Day of Pentecost, the Apostle Peter said to all the hurrying seekers and those fallen into amazement: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call. And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, `Be saved from this perverse generation`” (Acts 2:38-40).

On several occasions the Lord Jesus encouraged His followers to receive the Spirit of the Father and of the Son: “And I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he give him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:9-13).

Should there be any sin in your life which is holding up the coming of the Holy Spirit, so confess your sin to Jesus in all clarity and die to your pride. Ask Jesus for grace and forgiveness so that the comforting Spirit can grant you the certainty of the forgiveness of your sins. He will then switch on the heavenly light in your soul so that you will confess: The Holy God is my Father and the Lord Jesus my Savior! Dare to believe this – be similar to a sky-diver! Jump into the grace of the triune God and you will see that his grace will bear you up – just as the parachute does the parachutist!

Paul further testified that the sealing of a believer was not his theology, but a solid promise in both the Old and New Testaments. King David, in his lust, committed adultery and murder, so that the wrath and the judgment stood before his eyes. In his despair he cried out a prayer (Psalm 10-11) which has, since then, saved hundreds of sinners:

“Create in me a clean heart, O God,and renew a steadfast spirit within me.Do not cast me away from Your presence,and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.”

God´s answer came to the Prophet Ezekiel:

“I will give you a new heart And put a new spirit within you;I will take the heart of stone out of your fleshAnd give you a heart of flesh.I will put my Spirit within you And cause you to walk in My statutes,And you will keep My judgments and do them.” (Ez. 36:26-27)

God revealed His plan of salvation to the Prophet Joel (2:28), and that He would not only pour out His Spirit on the chosen people, but upon all of mankind. Whoever opens himself to His Spirit experiences the divine impetus and the gift of His blessings:

“I will pour out My Spirit On all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophecy,Your old men shall dream dreams,Your young men shall see visions; And also on My menservants And on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days…And it shall come to pass that whoever calls On the name of the lord shall be saved.”

Furthermore, the LORD revealed to John the Baptist the “summit” of the promises, like the highest mountain in the Himalayas:

When John saw Jesus coming to him he said: “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, `After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.`…I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent Me to baptize with water said to me, `Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit`” (John 1:29-33). With these revelations John the Baptist prophesied the atoning death of Jesus to all men, as well as the coming of the Holy Spirit. To that end he testified that the Spirit of God is not like a wind that came from somewhere, but that Jesus Himself is the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. Without the Lamb of God there is no Holy Spirit. Only after substitutional atonement had been fulfilled could the Spirit of God take up residence in those who believed in Jesus.

In Paul´s time the promises of Jesus regarding the coming of the Spirit of Comfort and the Spirit of truth had presumably not yet been translated into Greek or written down. They appeared only after the death of the apostle to the nations, when the Patriarch John was led to come to the, at that time, center of Christianity, Ephesus. It was there he write his gospel in the Spirit of Jesus (John 14:16, 26-27; 15:26; 16:7-11, 13-14).

We also read how Doctor Luke was able to ascertain and record several statements of Jesus regarding the coming of the Holy Spirit, giving testimony to them in his two books: “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:46-49).

And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now….But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:4-8).

In his worship of the Father, the apostle wanted to make it clear to the believers of Christ in Ephesus that their sealing with the Holy Spirit was certainly no invention of his own. It did not rest upon a shot of adrenalin from their brain, but in numerous promises of their Father in heaven. He assured them that the gift of the Holy Spirit was a deposit or down payment for their spiritual inheritance, which they were later to receive in the glory of Christ. Only then would the redemption, which the Lord Jesus had begun on the cross, be completed. The suffering of our day and the pain in the bodies of many saints still waits for a final overcoming – one that has been promised to us at the coming again of Christ and the resurrection of the dead. Until then our consolation is the privilege of being an eternal possession of our Savior, who purchased us with His own blood out of the slave market of sin and death. The one who believes this truth and lives by it praises the Father and the Son in the inspiration and leading of the Holy Spirit. Where is our thanks for His glorious grace?

Paul dictated his praise, which we read of in verses 1:3-14, for the redemption of the saints in Ephesus and in the whole world, through the atoning death of Jesus Christ, in “a single sentence” in Greek. Even during his house arrest, there flowed from his mouth the praise of God in his heart. Some commentators believe this to be the longest sentence in the Bible! “When the heart is full the mouth overflows!”

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we praise You that we have the privilege of reading the gospel of Jesus Christ. We thank You for the faith that You have given us thereby, as well as for our sealing with the Holy Spirit. Because of that we have received power to dedicate our lives to You as an offering of worship. Give also our friends and our families the grace to become born-again. Amen.

Questions:

  1. What did the word “gospel” (euaggelion) once mean and what does it mean today?
  2. What is the connection between faith in Christ and the sealing with the Holy Spirit?
  3. What is the down-payment on our spiritual inheritance and what will this inheritance be?

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