Journal: Journal of Ministry and Theology
Volume: JMAT 20:1 (Spring 2016)
Article: The Descent And Ascent Of Christ In Ephesians 4:8–10
Author: Gary R. Gromacki

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The Descent And Ascent Of Christ In Ephesians 4:8–10

Gary Gromacki

Professor of Bible and Homiletics
Baptist Bible Seminary
Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania

Introduction

Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians focuses on the spiritual warfare between Christ and his followers with Satan and his demons.1 In Ephesians: Power and Magic2 Clinton Arnold views Ephesians as a pastoral letter that shows the power of God over the evil spiritual powers of the cult of Artemis in Ephesus. Paul emphasizes the superiority of the power of God who brings all things under the sovereignty of Christ.

Paul blessed God for giving believers every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph 1:3). Some of those blessings include election, predestination, adoption, redemption, forgiveness of sins, and abounding grace (Eph 1:4–8). The goal of redemptive history is the total exaltation of Jesus Christ through his supreme rule over all in the dispensation of the fullness of times (the millennial kingdom of Christ) (Eph 1:9–10). Paul prayed that the Ephesians would come to know God’s power (Eph 1:15–18). God the Father demonstrated his power by raising Christ from the dead, seating Christ at his right hand in the heavenly places, placing all things under his feet, and giving him as authoritative head of all things

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to the church (Eph 1:19–23).3 God the Father worked his same power in regenerating spiritually dead sinners (Eph. 2:1–10). Jesus Christ broke down the dividing wall of the law that separated Jews and Gentiles and created one new man (the church) by providing reconciliation through his death on the cross (Eph 2:11–17). The church is now a new temple built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ being the chief cornerstone (Eph 2:19–22) The apostle Paul revealed the mystery that saved Jews and saved Gentiles are of the same body (the body of Christ) and are partakers of the promise in Christ (the Spirit) through the gospel (Eph 3:1–13). Paul prayed that the Ephesians would be strengthened in their inner man through the Spirit and Christ would be at ...

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