Biblical history teaches that, while in prison, the apostle Paul wrote four letters that today have been nicknamed his “prison letters.” Although he had been unjustly bound in prison chains for preaching to the gentiles, his love and care for the Lord’s church never wavered (Acts 21:26-36). The apostle quickly and wisely discovered that writing letters to his brethren was the best way to solve the riddle his chains had presented him with. Regardless of his tribulations, Paul remained steadfast on his mission of educating his brethren and continued to be actively involved with the churches from his prison chambers by the influence of his pen. Inspired by the Holy Spirit of God, Paul realized that sending letters from his prison cell to the churches would greatly comfort, encourage, and inspire its recipients. Each of his four “prison letters” were scribed with a specific purpose in his mind, aiming to further edify the brotherhood. The letter to the Ephesians is one of these four letters our brother Paul wrote during his imprisoned tenure. The apostle dedicates his words to “the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 1:1). From his very introduction, Paul made it a point to clarify that the words written in his letter are directed to a specific, devout group of men and women. He does so with an intent of sparking in his reader’s conscience an immediate self-examination of their lives. The apostle was preparing the minds of his audience as he was about to reveal the primary reason for his letter. A lesson so wonderful and majestic that it was absolutely necessary they understood that it could only apply to the few who are chosen, and not simply called (Matthew 22:14). In retrospect, the apostle Paul had actually already begun revealing to the Ephesians what he intended to teach them with his letter by making this important distinction. When the letter to the Ephesians is closely examined, in it we are able to expand our knowledge and grasp the understanding of Paul’s lesson regarding the preeminence of the Master’s church. Hence why in his introduction he had already begun to establish this central idea. Our Lord’s church is composed by the select few that have remained faithful (that is to say, have been obedient) unto death. Paul identifies them as “saints” because they have separated themselves from following the sinful crowd whose path leads to spiritual death (Ephesians 2:1-3). Paul seeks to illustrate the marvelous blessing that is the church and its true origins in eternity, from the magnificent mind of God (Ephesians 1). He establishes the undeniable truth of the superiority of Christ’s church by revealing that God “chose us in Him before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:3-4). Revealing this amazing truth confirms the importance the church has for our God. It is also why the apostle made the clarification that this eternal and celestial plan does not apply to everyone, but instead it is attained by those who have been “made accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6-8). Therefore it is wise to comprehend that the church is composed by people who have been made holy and righteous through the blood of Christ in baptism and it was brought into existence on earth with a specific purpose. In the omniscient mind of God, the church was always designed as a refuge for those who have been called out from sin. However, the Holy Spirit revealed to the apostle what other purpose these select few serve and why this makes the church preeminent to our God. Paul elaborates more about how it was established here on earth with “the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places” This revelation made by the apostle concerning us illuminates just how fantastic and powerful the Lord’s church is! Paul’s amazingly bold statement of how far the power of God’s church reaches is supported by the Master. When Peter confesses to Jesus that he fully believed Him to be “the Son of the living God,” our Master confirms Peter’s words regarding Him and further reveals to him that upon this truth (that He is the Christ) He would establish His church (Matthew 16:15-18). However, our Master’s explanation concerning His church did not end there. Jesus continues to teach His disciples of the significant impact these selected people would have not only here on earth but also in the spiritual realms. Our Redeemer explains to Peter that even “the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” The Lord’s church has such a presence, that it transcends this material world; its light burns so brightly that its illumination will ambit even to the deepest, darkest places like Hades. Consequently, Paul knew this very well and understood that God would use His Son’s church as the beacon to manifest His grace to all beings, terrestrial and celestial. This same concept is repeated by the apostle to the church in Philippi. In speaking about the unfolding of God’s sublime and majestic plan of salvation for all of humanity through His Son, the inspired apostle once more states:
“9Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11)
One must make the observation of how detailed the apostle’s insight is regarding the exaltation of Jesus by His Father. He leaves no created being out of this event. Paul illustrates how it is that the church’s foundation was laid through Jesus’ sacrifice at the cross, but it is also how the church is able to reach as highly as it does (Philippians 2:5-8). This is exactly the same doctrine Paul was bestowing upon the Ephesians to emphasize the necessity of being chosen and not simply called. In His church, God’s grace is revealed because Jesus, the Son of God, willingly gave His life on the cross for her. The undeniable truth that Jesus Christ loved His church so much that He shed His blood for her exceeded all limitations and expectations because He is God. Before Him, never would the idea of God giving His life for man been conceived as possible. Yet, the fact that Jesus, the Son of God, did so further proves why the church is preeminent as the apostle has so eloquently stated. The central topic that Paul presents to the Ephesians is emphasized in the enlightenment that God’s “manifold wisdom” can only be unveiled by the church. This is true because God’s grace can only be manifested to the world by Christ’s church, since He sacrificed Himself only for her. Knowing and realizing just how important the Lord’s church is in every realm, let us diligently strive to be of the chosen few so that as His church we always present God’s pure and wonderful grace in us to all of mankind.