The Spirit's Role in Revealing the Mystery

In this episode, I highlight the Holy Spirit's role in revealing the mystery that Gentiles, seeing that they are fellow-heirs, have united with the Jews to create the "one new man." It is not Paul's purpose to address individual maturity of His children, but the bringing in of the Gentiles that unites both into one body. This division was so fixed that it required the working of the Spirit to not only reveal God's eternal plan, but to inspire both with the same message that accomplished the same end.

His emphasis in the first part of the chapter, however, concerns the process of this revelation that begins with the apostles, the very foundation upon which to build. Regarding the mystery, it was revealed unto the apostles and prophets. It came down to mankind through them. Paul further explains that the Ephesians can come to understand that revelation through them when he writes, "whereby when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ." That inspired word is profitable for teaching (2 Tim. 3:16). Peter explains, " We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Peter 1:19-21).

This revelation was not only the "mystery" that is revealed, it was part of the foundation that was laid that separated those who depended on the law from those who depended on Jesus.