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Middle Wall of Partition - Eph. 2:14

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by Dr. Walter, May 4, 2010.

  1. Dr. Walter

    Dr. Walter New Member

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    What was "the middle wall of Partition"? Whom did it separate from each other? Did it make a separation in salvation or in public worship between those regarded as saved or accepted by God?
     
  2. Grasshopper

    Grasshopper Active Member
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  3. Dr. Walter

    Dr. Walter New Member

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    Well Grasshopper, I read the web site article. It correctly identified the middle wall of partition as the divider between the court of the gentiles and the Jewish courts (men, women). However, it did not give its correct soteriological significance.

    It did not act as a wall of partition between Gentiles and Jews in regard to salvation. It acted as a wall of partition between proselyte Jews and Jews in regard to worship in the house of God.

    Salvation had always been jointly the same way through faith in the coming Christ for remission of sins (Acts 10:43; 26:22-23; Heb. 4:2). What Christ built was a new temple where both Jew and Gentile were on an equal basis when it comes to worship and service in the house of God. Christ erased the ethnic distinction in the new dispensation of the church as the house of God.

     
  4. Iconoclast

    Iconoclast Well-Known Member
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    Here is a section of Acts 13 that speaks to this issue:
    Unbelieving Israelites broken off, formerly non covenant gentiles grafted in.
    Here are a few more to consider:Romans 9
    MT21
    Gentiles needed to be bought,and brought into the Covenant of grace in time.It was decreed from eternity past, but made known to the church .
     
  5. kyredneck

    kyredneck Well-Known Member
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  6. Dr. Walter

    Dr. Walter New Member

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    I don't deny that the Jews were being cut off and the Gentiles were being grafted in. However, I believe that Ephesians 2:10 is a transition verse from salvation to service "created in Christ Jesus UNTO good works...."

    Previous to Ephesians 2:10 the theme is predominantly salvation but after 2:10 the theme is in transition to the church and service. Within this transition section 2:10-3:21 Paul deals with the new house of God and its connection with the gentiles. The former house of God placed a barrier (middle wall of partitition) between Jews and Gentiles in their worship in the house of God under the former covenant. Under the administration of the former covenant redemption was predominantly Jewish.

    Under the new covenant administration that barrier is removed in the house of worship and the gentile is received upon equal standing with the Jew.

    Ephesians 2:11-13 deals with their former standing in regard to the covenant of redemtion in contrast with the Jews:

    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;
    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:
    13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

    Ephesians 2:14-18 deals with the removal of all external distinctions in both salvation and service (v. 14) removing all former LEGAL distinctions that divided the gentile believer from the Jewish believer in the service of God (v. 15) bringing "peace" (at one) by the cross under the New covenant administration. Under the new covenant administration ("by the cross") there is neither Jew or Gentile but only the "spiritual man." Both are brought together into "one body" the church under the new covenant administration (2:16,19-22; 3;6).

    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:
    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.

    Verse 16 does not say "in one body ON the cross" by "in one body BY the cross" and that body is not the body hanging on the cross but the church body discussed in verses 19-22 demonstrating that in the new house of God there is no more "the middle wall of partition" but Gentile and Jewish elect are under the new covenant administration equals in salvation and in the house of God:

    19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
    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.

    The indefinite article "an" holy temple and "an" habitation makes a direct application to the church at Ephesus.
     
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