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Practical Truth in Ephesians (7)
"But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ"
(Eph. 4:7)
We now have to consider the Temple and the Body, which appear under reference `E'
in the structure:
Doctrinal Section:
E 2:119-22 The Temple fitly framed together
Apostles and Prophets
Foundation Ministry
Practical Section:
E 4:7-19 The Body fitly joined together
Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists
Pastors and Teachers
Adjusting Ministry
Throughout Ephesians there are groups of three, and these are set out for the whole
epistle on page 13 of In Heavenly Places. It may be helpful if we set out the two groups
in Section `E':
The Threefold Union
The Threefold Measure
Citizens together
The Gift of Christ
Framed together
The fullness of Christ
Builded together
The measure of every part
As we begin to read Ephesians 2:19-22, we find that we must refer to the earlier part
of the chapter, because of the word "therefore": "Now therefore we are not longer
strangers and foreigners". We remember that in verse 12 it is recorded that we were
aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise.
This has changed and peace has been made; the both have been reconciled unto God in
one body by the cross. We have access by one Spirit to the Father (verse 18). So now we
are fellow citizens and we are linked with the "household" of God.
Charles Welch gives a structure of Ephesians 2:11-22 on page 92 of The Testimony of
the Lord's Prisoner which is helpful:
Ephesians 2:11-22
A Once Strangers and Aliens
\
B Now Made night
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Body
C Unity The two made one
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D Access In One Spirit
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A No longer Strangers and aliens \
B But Fellow Citizens
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Temple
C Unity Fitly framed together |
D Habitation In Spirit
/