TO THE SAINTS AT EPHESUS

Ephesians 1:1-2

"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: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 1:1-2).

1. Ephesians 1:1-2.

2. The saints at Ephesus.

a) There are some Bible scholars who believe this letter was not intended for just one congregation, but was written for the benefit of several congregations in the area surrounding Ephesus.

b) The earliest manuscripts do not contain the phrase "at Ephesus."

c) The letter is in the form of a general treatise rather than of a latter written to a specific church. For example, there are no specific exhortations or personal greetings.

d) Because Ephesus was the leading city of the region and a center of Paul’s missionary activity, it is easily understandable why this letter has been ascribed the church at Ephesus.

e) Whether this letter was intended for one congregation or several congregations, it is without a doubt written to "the saints……….and the faithful in Christ Jesus."

I. Who is a saint?

A. Current day misconceptions of "who is a saint" are numerous.

1. Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary indicates a saint is "1. one officially recognized esp. through canonization as preeminent for holiness 2. an angel or one of the spirits of the departed in heaven."

2. The Catechism of the Catholic Church notes the following in regard to saints: "By canonizing some of the faithful, i.e., by solemnly proclaiming that they practiced heroic virtue and lived in fidelity to God's grace, the Church recognizes the power of the Spirit of holiness within her and sustains the hope of believers by proposing the saints to them as models and intercessors. The saints have always been the source and origin of renewal in the most difficult moments in the Church's history. Indeed, "holiness is the hidden source and infallible measure of her apostolic activity and missionary zeal."

B. The word "saints."

1. Mounce’s Analytical Lexicon to the Greek New testament – "separate from common condition and use; dedicated." It is used of things, the sanctuary; and of persons, or saints. Members of the first Christian communities.

C. "Saints," as used in Ephesians 1:1 is simply a reference to those persons who are Christians. Christians have been sanctified, or set apart.

1. Set apart from the passion for sin. Ephesians 4:21-23 – "If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts. And be renewed in the spirit of your mind."

2. Set apart from the practice of sin. Romans 6:1-2 – "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"

3. Set apart from the penalty for sin. Romans 6:23 – "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

II. Where are the saints today?

A. In Christ Jesus.

1. Ephesians 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."

B. To be in Christ is to be in his church.

1. Ephesians 1:22-23 – "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all."

C. In Christ, and consequently in Christ’s church, is the location of all spiritual blessings.

1. Ephesians 1:3 – "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ."

1. Who are the saints? Those persons who are separated from the world and are "in Christ."

2. How does a person become a saint?

a) I Corinthians 12:13 – "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have all been made to drink into one Spirit."