Ephesians Lesson 15: A New Testament Temple: The Church

Scripture: Ephesians 2:20-22 Stan’s Outline Download Lesson Outline Introduction The calling of the Church (Ephesians 1:1-3:21) The salutation (Ephesians 1:1-2) The praise for redemption (Ephesians 1:3-14) Paul’s prayer for wisdom and revelation (Ephesians 1:15-23) Our new position individually (Ephesians 2:1-10) Our new position collectively (Ephesians 2:11-22) The alienation of Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:11-12) The reconciliation of Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:13-18) The results of the union (Ephesians 2:19-22) A new relationship (Ephesians 2:19) A new building (Ephesians 2:20-22) Excursus: God’s seven temples His past temples (2) Solomon’s temple Solomon reigned from 971-931 BC Temple begun in 967, completed 960 BC Destroyed by Babylonians in 586 BC Second temple Begun in 536 BC, completed 515 BC Completely remodeled by Herod the Great who died in 4 BC. Remodeling completed AD 64. Destroyed by Romans AD 70. His future temples (2) The Tribulation temple (2 Thes. 2:4) The Millennial temple (Ezek. 40-44) His present day temples (3) Two Greek words for temple hieron naos The human body (1 Cor. 6:19-20) The local church (1 Cor. 3:16-17) The universal church (Eph. 2:20-22) Built on the apostles and prophets Christ is the Cornerstone “fitted together” “dwelling” This passage shows the Church inherits the promises together with Israel. cf. Hebrews 11:39–40; Romans 11:16–26 (NB There is a distinction between natural and wild branches). Conclusion and application