Saturday, July 23, 2022

Ephesians 1:1a

 

Ephesians 1:1a

An Unlikely Author

      

      Eph 1:1  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: 

 

         1.      Paul is the Author

a.       Paul was an Apostle of Jesus Christ

                                                              i.      Paul was a bit of a walking contradiction

1.      He was a Roman citizen

a.       Acts 22:25 

2.      He was Jewish

a.       Acts 22:3 

3.      He was also a Pharisee

a.       Philippians 3:4-6 

4.      He also persecuted the church

a.        Galatians 1:13-14 

b.      Paul was called to be an Apostle by God Himself

                                                              i.      He was given Apostolic authority

1.      1 Corinthians 15:6-9

                                                            ii.      He was made Apostle to the Gentiles

1.      Galatians 2:6-8 

                                                          iii.      He led with humility

1.      1 Thessalonians 2:6-7 

                                                          iv.      He helped build the foundation for the Church

1.      Ephesians 2:19-20 

                                                            v.      He was chosen by God before the beginning of time to be an Apostle

1.      Understanding the two wills of God is important

a.       The revealed will of God

                                                                                                                                      i.      1 Thessalonians 4:3 

                                                                                                                                    ii.      1 Thessalonians 5:18 

b.      The decretive will of God

                                                                                                                                      i.      James 4:13-14 

                                                                                                                                    ii.      Isaiah 46:9-10 

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