CH2: New Life & One New Man (church)

Chapter 2 talks about New Life (1-10) and One New Man (church) (11-22). 

You can find how the Holy Trinity works together. God, in his great love, made us alive together with Christ. Jesus Christ made in himself one new man and reconciled them to God. The Holy Spirit helps us to be built as God's dwelling place.

(1-10) New Life: from dead, from great love (grace), God’s creative work for purpose.

Q1. Our former status: We were (            ) in our (              ) and (            ).  

Dead, offenses, sins.

In this world, sin is an act that hurts others. But, in the Bible, it is any act that hurts God. 

Offense (transgression): violation of a certain code of the law

Sin: a status that we cannot stand before God’s glory.

Q2. Verses 2 - 3 explain our former status. People in the world seek the desires of (           ) and thoughts of (             ). We might think there is nothing wrong with them. The Bible, however, says that they are under the control of (                ) that also works in the heart of disobedient people against the law. Therefore, even though the law was not given to them, such people are by (          ) children of wrath.  

Flesh, mind, the spirit, nature. 

A certain act might not be obvious enough to be called sin. However, unless we are in the Holy Spirit, we are under Satan, who has controlled human hearts since Adam’s fall, and we seek our own desires and thoughts. Seeking our own thoughts alienates us from God, thus rendering our status as dead.

Q3. But (         ), being rich in (          ), because of his great (         ) with which he loved us, even though we were dead in (               ), made us alive together with Christ – by (         ) we are saved. 

God, mercy, love, offenses, grace.

Here, we can see the grace of God who paid back their offenses with the sacrifice of His Son.  

Q4. God saved us by (             ) to demonstrate the surpassing wealth of his (             ). For you are saved by (          ), not from your (         ), so that you cannot (            ). For we are His creative work, we are to do (                     ) of God.

Grace, grace, grace, works, boast, good works

Other insights:

V10 signifies our identity: His creative work in Christ Jesus. To do good works! What are they?

Not from works, but God’s creative work: contrast! The salvation by grace seems very simple and nothing serious because it is not from our works. But, it is by God’s work!

Surely it is a BIG work. To raise someone from death to life. 

Great Love: offender -> by great love.

(11-22) One new man in Jesus Christ. Reconciled and became God’s household and dwelling place. It is not individual but corporative. 

Q5. Verses 11 – 16 tell two things Jesus accomplished. What are they? (#1: v11, v14-16, #2: v12-13, v16,19)

Jesus removed hostility and created in himself ONE New Man out of the Jews and the Gentiles.

Jesus reconciled them in one body to GOD. Once they had been alienated from God, but were brought near to God by Jesus’ blood and became God’s household.

Q6. What does the middle of wall of partition mean? And by what means did Jesus nullify this? (v14-15) 

The hostility between the two parties, which was triggered by the law. 

In his flesh: through his death.

Q7. What is the purpose of making both parties, the Gentiles and the Jews, one body? (v18, v19-20, v21-22)

One body, one Spirit, one way: we have access to the Father through Christ.

To become God’s household, for Jesus became the cornerstone.

To be built, in the Lord, as God’s dwelling place.