Author Facts• Based on the BE Series by Warren Wiersbe
• Education: Northern Baptist Seminary
• Former Pastor, the Moody Church, Chicago
• Fundamental, evangelical, Calvinist orientation
• Worked with Youth for Christ, Back to the Bible Radio
• Taught at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Grand Rapids Theological Seminary
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Course Facts• Workbook provided: Ephesians – BE Rich
• Commentary optional, recommended, not provided
• Time frame: 9-13 weeks May 10 – early August
• Light homework suggested
• No “death by PowerPoint®” or extensive notes
• Emphasis on the practical rather than theoretical
• Next Week Carmen’s lesson
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Destination Ephesus?• “At Ephesus”
• Perhaps a circular letter
• “Asia” – Modern Turkey or “Asia Minor”
• Ephesus, a central city
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Pauls’ Journey•6-4 B.C. Jesus born
•27-29 A.D. Jesus’ Passion
•31-36 Paul’s Conversion
•36 Damascus
•36-39 Paul’s Desert
•39 Jerusalem, Peter
•39-49 Years of Ministry
•46 1st Mission
•49 Second Missionary Trip
•52 Third Missionary Trip
•52-55 Ephesus
•61-63 First Roman Prison
•62 Ephesians written
•63-68 2nd imprisonment?
•68 Beheading
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Writing Ephesians• During first Roman Imprisonment about 62 A.D.
• Four letters: Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, Philippians
• Onesimus took Philemon home
• Tychicus took Colossians and Ephesians
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The City of Ephesus• Greek with sizeable Jewish population
• Center of Artemis worship – temple
• Capitol and Trade center – key to Asia
• Magic flourished
• Home of heresy, Apostle John
• Paul’s trouble there
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The Genuine Article
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• Recognized by church fathers
• Recognized by Martin Luther
• Recognized by modern scholars
• The real question is whether it was “solely” to the Ephesians
Comparison with Colossians• Twins but different, alike in structure and wording
• Ephesians 5 unique sections
• “The Heavenlies”
• Old Testament allusions
• Poetic comparisons
• Fundamental themes – Christhood and Churchhood
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Purpose• Encouragement
• Combats heresies
• Unity of the church – Jews and Gentiles
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General Outline1. Believer’s position in Christ 1:1 – 3:21
2. Believer’s Conduct in the World 4:1-6:21
3. Final Words
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Doctrine and Practicality• Like Colossians, first part is doctrinal
• Second part is practical
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