The Church Is a Mystery – Ephesians 3
(9 questions with answers following)

For help in answering the questions, you may refer to Outline and Teaching on Ephesians.

Click here to go to Lesson 6

Click here to go to the links to 14 lessons on Ephesians – a Local Church is a Body (Questions and Answers)

Click here to go to Bible Studies: The Doctrine of the Church

Added on March 23, 2017

Answers at the end, following the questions
Those who disagree with anything please see the note at the end. Reasoned dialogue is encouraged and any Bible or fact based comments, if made in a Christian manner in an attempt to get to the truth will be considered.

1. The theme of Ephesians 3 is that the church is a __________.
2. The meaning of mystery in this context is “something that had not ____________ been revealed but is currently made __________.” This mystery being revealed by Paul was made known to him by the ________. (See Ep. 3.3-5).
   –
   “Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit” (Ep. 3.5).
   –
   “ Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the _________, which was kept secret since the world began” (Ro. 16.25).
   –
   “Even the _________ which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints” (Col. 1.26).
   –

3. The institution of the ________ was not revealed in the _____ Testament but is solely revealed in the _____ ____________.
4. Paul, unlike the other apostles, was sent to the ___________. He became a prisoner because he took the Gospel to the ___________.
   –
   For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you ___________” (Ep. 3.1).
   –
5. A brand _____thing is taking place. It is a new ________________or _________ from what they had in the Old Testament.
   –
   ”If ye have heard of the _______________ of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward” (Ep. 3:2).
   –
6. This mystery had not been made known before, “as it is now revealed unto his holy __________ and __________by the ________” (Ep. 3.5).
7. The mystery was not that the Gentiles would be __________. (See, e.g., Is. 11.10; 42.6; Zec. 2.11; Mal. 1.11).
8. This new mystery was not to be __________or argued, but___________!
   –
   “And to make all men ______what is the fellowship of the___________, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ” (Ep. 3.9).
   –
9. Another purpose of the mystery is revealed. God’s created intelligences are learning something of the _________ of God through the_________. They not only see the love of God displayed and lavished upon us, but the _________of God is revealed to his angels.
   –
   “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold _________of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ep. 3.10-11).

Answers

1. The theme of Ephesians 3 is that the church is a mystery.
2. The meaning of mystery in this context is “something that had not previously been revealed but is currently made manifest.” This mystery being revealed by Paul was made known to him by the Spirit. (See Ep. 3.3-5).
   –
   “Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit” (Ep. 3.5).
   –
   “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began” (Ro. 16.25).
   –
   “Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints” (Col. 1.26).
   –

3. The institution of the church was not revealed in the Old Testament but is solely revealed in the New Testament.
4. Paul, unlike the other apostles, was sent to the Gentiles. He became a prisoner because he took the Gospel to the Gentiles. 
   –
   “For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles” (Ep. 3.1).
   –
5. A brand new thing is taking place. It is a new dispensation or economy from what they had in the Old Testament.
   –
   “If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward” (Ep. 3:2).
   –
6. This mystery had not been made known before, “as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit” (Ep. 3.5).
7. The mystery was not that the Gentiles would be saved. (See, e.g., Is. 11.10; 42.6; Zec. 2.11; Mal. 1.11).
8. This new mystery was not to be debated or argued, but preached!
   –
   “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ” (Ep. 3.9).
   –
9. Another purpose of the mystery is revealed. God’s created intelligences are learning something of the wisdom of God through the church. They not only see the love of God displayed and lavished upon us, but the wisdom of God is revealed to his angels.
   –
   “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ep. 3.10-11).

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