The book of Ephesians is our focus during the Cape Town 2010 Congress. Below are some of the themes in Ephesians that the expositors team has been discussing. 

We encourage you to join the conversation with your own perspective on Ephesians

Christ’s church fulfilling God’s purposes in the power of the Holy Spirit  

The church – Christ’s transnational, reconciling community – is the center piece of God’s plan to demonstrate his wisdom and power to all the powers of the universe (Eph. 3:10).  The church stands as evidence of the power of Jesus’ cross and resurrection and as a sign post pointing to the redemption of all things.  Spiritual forces of evil seek to chip away at the church – undermining our unity and stunting our growth unto maturity.   But God generously fills us with love and power to live worthy of our calling, empowering us with his Holy Spirit to fulfill his purposes.

God’s Purposes

                Through Christ, God is accomplishing his purposes for the entire cosmos – “to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth” (Eph. 1:10).  Both the visible and invisible realms have been corrupted and fragmented by evil, but Jesus’ sacrifice and victory have made full redemption of God’s good creation possible.  In Christ’s resurrection new creation has begun, demonstrated by the birth of a new humanity joined together through the cross and filled with the promised Holy Spirit. 

 

Spiritual Powers

Supernatural powers and their earthly expressions dominate human life. Christ’s resurrection and enthronement established his reign when God placed all things under his feet, including these rebellious powers.   A future is coming when every power (both visible and invisible) in our broken universe will be consciously under God, and full peace will be restored.  The truth of what God has done and what he will do provides great hope in the midst of our suffering and struggle against evil.  By proclaiming God’s Word, praying unceasingly, and resisting disunity God’s people stand their ground in the midst of spiritual attack.

 

Unity of the Church

The creation of “one new humanity” through the reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles demonstrates the power of the cross to heal and unite those marked by enmity and separation – a sign of what God will do for the entire cosmos.  Since the church is the concrete sign of Jesus’ triumph over evil in all its forms, we are called to spare no effort in keeping and developing unity and maturity. Together we are both a sign of hope and a sign of rebuke to the world.

 

Christian Character

Paul exhorts the church to live worthy of the great calling we have received.  We are to align our personal and communal lives with God’s good purpose. Purity, truthfulness, and the quality of relationships in the church and in the home are central, since those things build up or undermine Christian community and witness.