1. In Ephesians 1:3 Paul asserts that God “has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing.” These blessings include:
* Redemption – Colossians 1:13-14
* The forgiveness of our trespasses – Ephesians 1:7-8
* Obtained an inheritance – Ephesians 1:11
* Being a new creation – II Corinthians 5:17
* Receiving no condemnation – Romans 8:1
* Receiving salvation – II Timothy 2:10
* Inheriting eternal life – I John 5:11
* Being blessed even when dead – Revelation 14:13
2. Notice that these blessings are for those who are “in Christ.” How do we get into Christ?
* Galatians 3:27 – we are “___________________ into Christ”
* Romans 6:3-4 – we are “___________________ into Christ”
* These scriptures help us understand what Peter was saying in Acts 2:38 and Paul in Acts 22:16
3. Paul concludes this paragraph by saying that this is a plan for the “____________ of ______________.” (See also Galatians 4:4-5 and Hebrews 1:1-2)
4. According to Ephesians 1:13-14, there are three distinct events which take place as we become a part of being “in him.” List these:
a) Heard the ____________ of _______________
b) Believed in _____________
c) Sealed with the _________________ ___________ _______________.
5. Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians was that God would give them “a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him.” This would cause them to have “the eyes of your hearts enlightened.” The effect of this wisdom, knowledge and enlightenment would be three-fold: “that you may know…”
a) “what is the _____________ to which he has called you”
b) “what are the ________ of his glorious ___________________ in the saints”
c) “what is the immeasurable greatness of ______ ______________ toward us who believe”
6. It was God’s great power and might working in Christ “when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also the one to come.”(Ephesians 1:20-21) Read also Matthew 28:18-20, Philippians 2:5-11 and I Corinthians 15:24-26.
a) When did he receive this power?
b) When will he give it up?
7. One of the things that he was given power over, to be its head, is the ____________ which is also thought of as his ____________. Since this is the case, whom should we listen to regarding what is expected of us? Read the following scriptures to help you answer this question: Matthew 17:5, Luke 6:46, Acts 4:12, II Timothy 3:16-17, Galatians 1:6-9
____ Men who claim to have had visions about what God wants us to do
____ Councils who get together to make rules
____ The pope, cardinals, bishops or other church leaders
____ Creeds that have been accepted by the church for a long time (e.g. the
Apostles’ creed, the Nicene creed, etc.)
____ The words of Christ and the Apostles as they are revealed in scripture
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