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Outline 077 of 100 · Ephesians

One New Man in Christ

Ephesians 2:11-22 — The cross as the reconciler of divided humanity to God and each other

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

Paul reminds Gentile believers of their former exclusion — 'without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.' Yet 'now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.' The cross does double reconciling work — it breaks down the middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile, abolishing the enmity in His flesh, and it reconciles both to God in one body. Christ came and preached peace to those far off and near, so that both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. The result is a new humanity — no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, built together into a holy temple for God's dwelling. This passage shows that righteousness by faith not only saves individuals but creates a new community where every dividing wall of hostility is dissolved at the cross.

  1. I. The former alienation described

    • Aliens from the commonwealth of Israel
    • Strangers from the covenants of promise
    • Without hope and without God in the world

  2. II. The reconciliation accomplished

    • Made nigh by the blood of Christ
    • The middle wall of partition broken down
    • Enmity abolished in His flesh

  3. III. The peace preached

    • Peace to them that were far off
    • Peace to them that were nigh
    • Access by one Spirit unto the Father

  4. IV. The new community formed

    • No longer strangers, but fellow citizens
    • Built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets
    • A holy temple growing for God's dwelling
The appeal

Whatever wall of hostility once separated you from God or from others, Christ has broken it down at the cross. Will you receive the peace He has made and live as a fellow citizen in His new humanity?

Key points

  • The cross reconciles both alienated sinners and divided peoples to God.
  • Christ's death abolishes every dividing wall of hostility.
  • Believers together form a new community, God's dwelling place by the Spirit.

Key passages

  • Ephesians 2:12-13
  • Ephesians 2:14-16
  • Ephesians 2:18
  • Ephesians 2:19-22