25-1005sc - Detailed Summary

On Paul’s Prayer for Understanding in Ephesians
The class begins with a prayer led by the teacher, Steve, who expresses gratitude to God for the beautiful day, the safety and health that allow everyone to enjoy life’s blessings, and particularly for the ability to gather and study God’s plans. He specifically mentions the mystery revealed to Paul in Ephesians regarding God’s plan for redemption, asking for help in comprehending and gaining insight into it. Steve prays for blessings on the congregation to help it grow and serve as a beacon in the community, closing in Jesus Christ’s name. Following the prayer, Steve references Ephesians where Paul prays for the growth and understanding of the readers, emphasizing that God opens the eyes of understanding to provide insight into who God is and the plan of salvation. He expresses a desire to incorporate this into his own prayers for himself and the audience, noting variations in Bible versions like the New American Standard and New International Version, which refer to the eyes of the heart or understanding.

And Introduction to Chapter 2’s Focus on Salvation from Sins
Steve continues by praying that the author of the study material has correct understanding, inspiration, and insight, which he believes to be true, explaining why he is presenting it. He states that in Chapter 2, the focus is on perceiving that Jesus came to save people from their sins, as outlined on the first page. He emphasizes that Christ’s purpose was not to save the world from war, poverty, or famine, but specifically from sins. Steve cites Matthew 1:21, where an angel tells Joseph to name the child Jesus because he will save his people from their sins, and reinforces that the lesson highlights this focus rather than sparing from material hardships.

Preview of Sermon, and Biblical Explanation of God’s Eternal Purpose in Redemption
Steve discusses how many people approach God and religion seeking material blessings, which ties into his upcoming sermon on the benefits of being a Christian. He describes communities, like a section in Lorain, plagued by turmoil, bad marriages, unruly children, poor jobs, strained family relationships, and substandard living conditions, suggesting that living according to God’s ways would improve their lives. He notes that even in Jesus' time, people sought God for prolonged life, national greatness, and health, often through priests, without much concern for spiritual well-being. When Jesus arrived, as will be covered in Chapter 3, the people expected a Messiah to restore their material and national prosperity, similar to David’s era, based on prophetic interpretations that emphasized God as their Savior in worldly terms. However, Steve clarifies that Chapter 2 shows Jesus did not come for that purpose. In Chapter 3, it will address how Israel anticipated the fulfillment of promises to Abraham for blessing nations, not thinking in terms of salvation from sins. He then reads from Ephesians 1:9-11 about God making known the mystery of His will, purposed in Christ for the fullness of times, summing up all things in Him, and how believers are made a heritage according to God’s purpose. Steve asserts that Christ did not fail in providing redemption but accomplished God’s pre-planned purpose, citing 2 Timothy 1:9 about God saving and calling us according to His purpose and grace given in Christ before eternal times. He references Ephesians 3:11, noting that the plan of salvation is God’s eternal purpose, purposed in Christ. God’s plan to save was conceived in eternity before time began and extends into eternity after the ages. Paul reveals that God purposed redemption before time, quoting 1 Corinthians 2:7 about speaking God’s hidden wisdom foreordained before the worlds for our glory. Steve mentions that in Chapter 3, the Old Testament prophecies do not clearly depict Jesus dying on the cross or saving from sins, but rather focus on materialism and nationalism.

Through Christian Perspective and Reference to Genesis 3:15
To appreciate Old Testament prophecies, Steve explains, one needs to remove the veil mentioned in 2 Corinthians, viewing them through Christian eyes from this side of the cross. This reveals that God’s plan was spiritual: forgiving sins, reconciling, and restoring the relationship with Him from the beginning. He references Genesis 3:15, where God declares enmity between the woman’s seed and Satan, with Satan bruising the heel of her seed but the seed bruising Satan’s head, likening it to a fight where striking the head wins decisively.

And Historical Context of Belief in Resurrection Among Jewish Groups
Steve elaborates that this prophecy is fulfilled when Jesus resurrects from the grave as the first fruits, defeating Satan because death could not hold Him due to His sinlessness. This demonstrates life after death. He notes that the concept of resurrection existed, as seen when Paul, before the Sanhedrin in Acts, perceives divisions between Pharisees and Sadducees. Correcting himself, he clarifies that Sadducees did not believe in resurrection and accepted only the first five books of the Old Testament (Genesis through Deuteronomy), while Pharisees accepted those plus the Prophets, and Jesus accepted the entire Old Testament. Paul declares he is persecuted for believing in resurrection, knowing Pharisees shared that belief, thus creating division among them.

And Enabling Reconciliation with God
The ancient Jews had a concept of resurrection but lacked concrete evidence until Jesus defeated Satan through His resurrection, enabling reconciliation with God and forgiveness of sins. Steve mentions Paul preaching the gospel, possibly in Ephesians or Acts during his defense, as God’s gospel, providing the life needed to please Him.

Example of Divine Providence, and Exposition on God’s Eternal Plan from Eternity to Eternity
The Bible is the sole source for understanding God’s plan and intervention in lives, Steve states, giving an example of divine providence in escaping an incident with a bicyclist and car. He explains that Paul preached the gospel of Christ as God’s wisdom to save man, once a hidden mystery ordained for the world’s glory. A diagram in the material illustrates the view from eternity to eternity. Steve describes God in eternity planning creation, man’s role, redemption, and eternal reconciliation in heaven. God did not design man to sin but foreknew it, using free will, and planned redemption accordingly—that is true grace, unmerited favor provided before creation. From eternity, God plans for believers' future with Him in eternity, reconciled through Christ’s blood and sacrifice. The space in between eternity involves human lives.

On God’s Foreknowledge Versus Foreordaining Sin
Steve invites questions or observations, receiving none, then continues: God’s foreknowledge of man’s sin is not equated with foreordaining sin; He foreknew it and predetermined a plan to save, for God’s glory and the saved’s glorification, exemplifying grace in its fullest definition.

Scope of Redemption, and Divine Intervention in History
Steve discusses Ephesians 1:14, detailing God’s purpose in Christ, which He is working to consummate through His Son, leading to the eternal glorification of His saints. He quotes Romans 8:28-30, emphasizing that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose, where God foreknew, foreordained, called, justified, and glorified them. The scope of God’s eternal purpose to redeem from sin extends from eternity before the world to eternity after the ages, when saints are glorified. Paul’s revelation of God’s intent to save mankind sets the stage for viewing the Bible as the record of fulfilling that purpose in Christ, revealing God’s interference in history to fulfill His redemptive plan. This also provides a correct view of history, where events are not solely man’s efforts, as God has been responsible for much of it and remains involved today for the same purpose. Steve stresses the concept of divine intervention, providence, and preservation, evident from Adam and Eve through the seed line to Jesus, and in salvation through Christ, which humans could not conceive. This plan originated in God’s mind and was revealed to the apostles on Pentecost as the gospel, reconciling through Jesus, who intercedes as high priest. Noting time remains until quarter after, Steve references Jesus' words in Matthew 28:18-19, where all authority is given to Him, commanding to make disciples of all nations, promising His presence to the end of the world.

In Fulfilling God’s Redemptive Purpose
Steve continues quoting Matthew 28:18-19 on going to make disciples and baptizing, with Jesus' assurance of being with them always. He states that redemption is promised, and in this manner, people cooperate with God in fulfilling His purpose in redemption, noting that early in history, God’s purpose to save was promised through Abraham’s seed.

And Initial Materialistic Interpretation by Israelites
The rest of the Bible records the fulfillment of that promise as God worked it out in history. Steve quotes the promise from Genesis 12 and 22, where God tells Abraham that through his seed all families of the earth will be blessed. In Genesis 22, when Abraham is concerned about not having a child, God shows him the stars, promising numberless seed, and Abraham believes, credited as righteousness. God repeats that in his seed all nations will be blessed. However, with this concept, it is not clear it means redemption; instead, it seems to refer to material blessings, a kingdom like under David, or worldly possessions. The Israelites believed they were blessed by God, as seen in Psalms 147, where God dealt intimately with them, providing information and protection in ways not given to Gentiles or others.

To Understand Spiritual Blessings Through Abraham’s Seed
The Israelites viewed the promise materialistically, so it requires Christian eyes to see it as reconciliation and blessing through Jesus, the Messiah from Abraham’s nation and seed, also through David’s seed. The world is blessed through Jesus, including Gentiles, which Israel rejects and cannot accept. Salvation is offered to Gentiles, and both Jews and Gentiles are saved by faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, providing redemption, forgiveness, and reconciliation to God.

Remission of Sins, and the Church
Abraham’s promise is fulfilled in Christ, the remission of sins, and the Church. Steve references Paul’s inspired interpretation in Acts 26:6-7, noting it requires Christian eyes to perceive God’s intent through Abraham’s seed.

In Revealing God’s Plan Through Scripture
The Holy Spirit reveals this to Paul, the apostles, and through the Word to believers, enabling perception of blessings through Christ. The Holy Spirit stirred the prophets and inspired the apostles, as in 2 Peter chapter 1, where prophets wrote as inspired by the Holy Spirit, making the Bible its product. Jesus and the Holy Spirit are agents of God, speaking only as authorized; Jesus did not ad-lib but spoke as directed, and the Holy Spirit, per John 16, speaks only what He hears. Thus, knowledge of God is what He wants revealed through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Despite being agents, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are deity, sharing in the Godhead.

Misinterpretation of the Promise, and Fulfillment in the Gospel
Paul’s interpretation of the Abrahamic promise is in Acts 26:6-7, where he stands judged for the hope of the promise to the fathers, which the twelve tribes hope to attain, and for this he is accused by Jews. Paul points out their hope was misdirected toward physical and nationalistic blessings, while his was the gospel of forgiveness and eternity. In the same chapter, Paul admits that before conversion on the road to Damascus, he shared their impression, persecuting Christians, obtaining letters to arrest them. Jesus confronted him, correcting his thinking, and from then Paul saw the light. He is accused for the hope of the promise, but since he preaches the gospel, the gospel fulfills the promise to Abraham. Israel’s hope was physical and nationalistic, not spiritual; they did not see it fulfilled in Christ and the gospel, despite apostolic explanations, leading to persecution of apostles. There is a vast difference between Jews' desired interpretation and Paul’s inspired one. The promise is fulfilled in Christ and remission of sins, as in Galatians 3:16, where the promise is to Abraham and his seed, not seeds as many, but one, which is Christ. God instituted circumcision to identify Abraham’s descendants, excluding others from the promised seed blessing given only to Abraham.

And Paul’s Interpretation of the Blessing as Justification
Paul emphasizes that circumcision identifies Abraham’s descendants or those joining their nationality. The original promise from Genesis 22:18 is quoted, and Paul interprets the blessing as justification or redemption from sin.

Of the Promise as Blotting Out Sins
Peter quotes the Abrahamic promise in Acts 3:25-26, stating Jews are sons of the prophets and covenant, with God saying to Abraham that in his seed all families will be blessed; God raised His servant to bless by turning them from iniquities, meaning sins blotted out.

Church as Part of the Promise, and Conclusion of Chapter 2
Paul’s and Peter’s statements show the promise fulfilled in redemption for all mankind, Jews and Gentiles receiving Christ as Redeemer. Jesus announced building His church in Matthew 16:18 and saving from sin, adding the saved to the church in Acts 2:47, the body of the reconciled in Ephesians 2:16. Thus, He builds the church by saving men, and since those receiving forgiveness are added, the church is part of fulfilling Abraham’s promise. In conclusion, God’s redemptive plan, purposed before time, was promised through Abraham’s seed and fulfilled in Christ and the church, revealing Christianity’s centrality, history’s meaning, and man’s purpose. Steve quotes Ephesians 3:20-21, praising God who does exceedingly abundantly, with glory in the church and Christ forever. This concludes Chapter 2; Chapter 3 will start in two weeks after his Texas trip. He appreciates attention and patience, asks for questions or observations, notes clarity hoped for, and proceeds to worship.