Posts on the Book of Ephesians – contents

• An Introduction to the 1^st century city of Ephesus – Mike Beaumont
• An Introduction to Letters (Epistles) in the New Testament – Gordon Smyrell
• A profile of Paul, the Apostle – Gary Sharples
• The Book of Ephesians – A Brief summary of content and themes – Gordon Smyrell
• Slavery in 1^st Century – Gordon Smyrell
• A Roman soldier’s armour and fighting methods – a description – Gordon Smyrell
• Definition of terms for new Christians – Gary Sharples

o   Grace

o   Baptism

o   Church – review of New Testament (mainly Paul’s) metaphors –

• Army – {Eph. 6}
• Bride – “marriage union”[1] {Eph. 5:31, cf. Gen. 2:24}, include “bride of Christ” perhaps
• Body – “body of Christ”, {Rom. 12; 1 Cor. 12}
• Building – “house/household/temple of God”, “living stones”, etc. {Eph. 2:20-21}
• “kingdom of God”,
• “family” (including “adoption” and “sonship”), {Gal. 6; Eph. 2; 1 Pet. 2}
• a “new race”, a “new humanity”, a “Holy nation” {Gal. 6; Eph. 2; 1 Pet. 2; Rev. 1; 5}
• a “city” {Php. 3; Heb. 12; Rev. 21-22}
• “vineyard of the Lord” {Jn. 15},
• “God’s field” {1 Cor. 3}
• a “Holy Priesthood” {1 Pet. 2: Rev. 1; 5}

[1] See the article by John Piper for example: http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/a-metaphor-of-christ-and-the-church, accessed on 11 Feb 2017