Ephesians 2:11-22. We are built together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.

1. In time past we were Gentiles, the uncircumcision, but not anymore.

"Ephesians 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;" In the old testament times, Jews that is Israel were considered God's people, and the rest of the people were considered low, ungodly, worthless, and they have no dignity, pertained to God. Remember, David called Goliath as who is this uncircumcised Philistine! Even though, the children of Jacob were not good, except Joseph, God still considered them as his people, since the purpose of the choosing at that time was entirely different. We may discuss it on some other time. Now let us continue with the chapter study.

"12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:" In the old testament, gentiles were seemed to be in a hopeless situation, pertained to heaven. It appears that God forsook them for no reason and has blessed Israel for no reason. But if we look carefully, study the wholesome word of God, we will know more and the truth. Any covenant or contract is under a few conditions. But false preachers teach that God's love, gifts, blessings, and such things are unconditional. Don't believe them since they are liars. The covenant of promise is only if they obey God. If not, curse is the consequence of the covenant. "Deuteronomy 28:1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: 2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God." So, they will be blessed as long as they obey the commandments of God. The blessings are up to verse 14. Then, look at the next verse. "15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:" The next 55 verses are curses, if they do not obey the commandments of God, it is the rest of the whole chapter. So, when Israel did not obey God, God destroyed them. Their temple was destroyed, their priesthood was removed, and they lost everything. God is most righteous, even in the old testament times, even now, and will be forever. Now, Christians are taking the blessings of God for granted, and it is out of ignorant rebellion. But they will be the losers in eternity, as it happened to Israel in the world. Israel were shadows, but we are real. Our destruction will be real in eternity, if we do not obey his commandments.

"13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." Jews were God's people previous to the time of Jesus. The gentiles, who were far from God previous to Jesus's time, were also made near by the blood of Christ. "14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:" Jesus made peace between Jews and gentiles, by breaking the separating wall between Jews and gentiles. Strength of Jews were manifested in their circumcision, temple rituals, sacrifices, ceremonies, celebrating feasts, and commandments of men, which are Mosaic and temple laws. These things made Jews special. Scripture says that Jesus abolished all of them by sacrificing himself on the cross. In short, according to God, there are no more different groups as Jews and gentiles, or Christians and non-Christians. Jesus Christ himself did reconcile both Jews and gentiles as one, and with God the Father. So, there are no more groups, as was before. Individual persons are chosen from the whole world. God says that it is by the blood of Jesus Christ.

The body of Christ, who are Spiritual Christians, are chosen one person at a time. The holy Spirit made them as new creatures in the Spirit. "Acts 2:42 says that they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." They were under apostle's doctrine. Let us see what happened to the churches even in the first century. "Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." Apostle Paul says, that after his departure, churches and disciples will be drawn to wolf preachers; and so, churches will be under the devil, speaking perverse things. Even the disciples will become as Judas Iscariot. Let us see what apostle Peter says. "2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not." He says that they privately bring "damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them," and receive another Jesus. Apostle John says in, "3 John 1:9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not." John, the very apostle of Jesus Christ, was not received in the church. So, the enemies of the apostles took over the church even in the beginning. "Jude 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ." Jude also says about the status of the church. Then, in the book of Revelation, Lord Jesus Christ give warnings to five churches out of the seven churches. So, majority of the churches fell apart. That was the status of the churches even in the first century. Not only Jews were persecuting the Spiritual churches, but the wolf churches were also becoming their enemy and was persecuting the spiritual churches. So, the false churches took over the churches very quickly, and the true Church had to go underground for fear of persecution and death. At about 325 A.D, Emperor Caesar Constantine became a Christian, and he wants to favor Christians. False Christians, who were out in the front line, used this opportunity, convinced Caesar Constantine, and became the government Church. So, the Spiritual Church went to underground, further hiding. Government Christianity grew under the Roman Caesar Constantine, and then supported by Roman governments, British governments, and many other governments. They formed the structure of Christianity. But God established the Jewish tabernacle, all things pertained to the temple, priesthood, sacrifices, and such things. All were spelled out by God to the Jews. But God did not form this Christianity or churches; but it was by the governments. True Christians were persecuted and killed. Even now, the body of Christ, the true Church stays underground; and the world do not know them.

"17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;" Both were made one, and so, the whole world is as one group. But Christians think that God has rejected Israel and in that place, he has chosen Christians. No, Christianity is a self-proclaimed religion. We have hijacked the name Christ and made a religion. At Antioch, disciples were living as Christ lived; and so, they were called Christians. They were of the holy Spirit, but not of the religion. "20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." Now, God explains how the body of Christ is built. This is the Spirit Body, for the habitation of God. It is built upon Jesus Christ himself, he is being the corner stone; the foundation is apostles and prophets; and the body is being us, the true believers. This body is named as New Jerusalem, and it is the bride of the Lamb, who is Jesus Christ. Revelation 21: 2 says, "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." This is not a city; it is us, his body, or the Bride of Christ; and we belong to God. The beauty of New Jerusalem is described in the whole 21st chapter of Revelation. I wish that you will be the Bride of the Lamb.