Lesson No. 13

EPHESIANS

KEY WORD—“IN CHRIST.”

KEY VERSE—Ephesians 1:3.

KEY PHRASE—“THE CHURCH IS THE BODY OF CHRIST.”

THE CHURCH was probably founded by Jews from Pentecost, but Paul visited it twice, and on the second visit preached there for three years. So effective was Paul’s work that the Diana idol-makers were afraid they would lose their business. The Apostle John was later a pastor there.

PURPOSE—To give a deeper knowledge of the believer’s high calling in Christ Jesus.

WRITER—Paul.

DATE and PLACE—62 A.D. during the first imprisonment at Rome. He wrote at the same time Philemon, Colossians and Philippians. These four are known as the Prison Epistles.

EPHESUS was the capital of the Roman province of Asia and was famous for the beautiful temple of Diana which was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Also for the theatre which would seat 50,000 and was the largest ever built by the Greeks. To it rushed the mob that had seized Paul, Acts 19:29. The city also possessed a great stadium or circus where men fought with wild beasts, 1 Corinthians 16:32.

Great Fact I -- The Believer’s Position in Christ.

Great Fact II -- A Mystery of God Revealed.

Great Fact III -- Appeals for Godliness.

Great Fact IV -- Domestic Life Should Be Spiritual.

Great Fact V -- The Christian Life Is a Warfare.