Ephesians 4:1-16 ~ The Unity of the Spirit

 

Mamertine,  built in the 

7th century BC by King Ancus Marcius

Clivo Argentario, 1, 00186 Roma RM, Italy. 

Setting: Situated at the base of the Capitoline Hill and overlooking the Roman Forum in the heart of Rome.

Ephesians 4:1-16

 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 

7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore it says,

“When He ascended on high

 He led a host of captives,

    and He gave gifts to men.”

9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that He had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He Who descended is the one Who also ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

 11 And He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ

14 So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 

15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the Head, into Christ, 16 from Whom the Whole Body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

What does it mean but that He had also descended 

into the lower regions,

 the earth? 

Sallust (86–35 BC): In his book The War Against Catiline, he wrote the most famous physical description of the lower dungeon (the Tullianum): 

"There is a place called the Tullianum, about twelve feet below the earth. It is enclosed on all sides by walls, and above it is a chamber with a vaulted roof of stone. Neglect, darkness, and stench make it hideous and fearsome to behold."

“When He ascended on high

 He led a host of captives,

    and He gave gifts to men.”

2 Corinthians 3:18

And we

ALL

with unveiled face

Beholding the Glory of the Lord

are

Being Transformed 

into the Same Image

from one degree 

Of Glory 

to another.

This comes from The Lord

Who is The Spirit.

Philippians 2:10-11 

So that at the Name of Jesus 

every knee 

should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 

and 

every tongue

 confess that 

Jesus Christ is Lord, 

to the 

Glory of God the Father.

The Records

The "Custody" Records: Roman historians and legal texts outline that high-ranking political prisoners or Roman citizens appealing to the Emperor (like Paul) were typically placed under custodia militaris (military custody) supervised by a Praetorian centurion. While the Guard processed these custody transfers, their internal paperwork on the matter was written on wood or papyrus and did not survive. 

 Tacitus (56–120 AD) & Suetonius (69–122 AD): Both historians write about the executions of political enemies of the Emperors inside the prison. Tacitus, who lived through the reigns of Nero and Domitian, wrote extensively about Nero's brutal persecution of Christians following the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD, though he focuses on mass public executions in arenas rather than individual cell tracking.

It is believed Peter died in 64 AD after the Great Fire of Nero.  His bones indicate he was 62 years old and he was crucified upside down. Removed from his cross by slicing his feet off and throwing the feet back with the body. 

The Bible illudes to Paul under custodial arrest. Probably because he was a Roman Citizen, but eventually would lead to Mamertine probably in 67 A.D. How wretched for Paul to enter the prison knowing, probably many, who had died before him.

Yesterday, we spent time looking at the Glorious Abundance God can provide. 

And today we look at the prison. 

The sheer change of circumstance points to why we have Christian Denominations and not the one Church as recognized in The Book of Revelation. 

Jesus Christ came to fulfill every aspect of All the Scriptures.  Every dot and iota will be fulfilled by His Only Son, Savior of us ALL.   There is no way possible to fulfill every part of Scripture without being God.  And this grim Chapter has regard to the Glorious Aspect of God. We do not uphold the universe with the power of our word. God Does. He gives gifts to mankind. We all minister in different capacities. And each denomination has the aspect of Jesus' own Divine and Exact Nature of God. In God's graciousness, we fit into the Body of Jesus Christ. Recognizing God as God of ALL.

We all feel an emotion seeing the prison. Yet Paul writes for him, he has such faith, if we die, we die to the Lord to live in His Glory.  For the younger generations this still is gruesome. And that is just fine and dandy. 

 Deuteronomy 30:19 

"Therefore choose Life!

That you and your offspring may live!"

John 1:1 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, 

and 

The Word was God.

Psalm 96:11-12

Let the Heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; 

let the sea roar, and all that fills it; 

let the field exult, 

and everything in it! 

Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy

Psalm 19:1-2

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. 

The Heavens declare the glory of God, 

and 

The sky above proclaims His handiwork. 

Day to day pours out speech, 

and night to night reveals knowledge.

2 Corinthians 3:13 

Not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face 

so that 

the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome 

of what was being brought to an end.

Romans 8:28 

And we know 

that for those who love God 

all things 

work together for good, 

for those who are called 

according to His Purpose.

Abba, Father,

Who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you 

with love and compassion

With Your Help, 

believing Jesus walks on water.

Dwell in me,

Dwell in us,

Dwell in those we Love,

Help us to seek You first.

And we will finish well, in Jesus Christ. 

HEAL OUR NATION

For Children in their Schools, all safety.

For those who protect and defend the USA,

protect us from evil.

Let evil and practicing evil

depart far from us

and our children.

Thank You, Father,

for Your Good Will.

And hearing our prayers.

Keep our food supply safe.

Support the Police.

For Worldwide Peace.

And the Peace of Israel. 

Those who protect

and defend

All The Word of God.

Freedom in our Churches.

Wholeness

Holy.

Goodness.

And the Nations of the world,

Your Good Creation,

Calling upon You.

O LORD Our Lord God, Almighty

and

 Governor of our souls, 

Whose Glory 

is in 

all 

the world

 We commend this nation 

to Thy merciful care, 

that being guided by Thy Providence, 

we may dwell secure 

in Thy peace. 

Grant to 

THE PRESIDENT 

OF THE UNITED STATES, 

and to all 

in Authority, wisdom and strength 

to know 

and 

to do Thy Will.

God our Creator, 

help everyone to share 

in the good gifts 

You have given to us. 

May those who lead 

the nations of the world be given wisdom. 

Especially we pray for Donald, 

our  President, 

You would fill him 

with all 

the gifts and blessings 

he must have to fulfill 

the solemn task before him. 

 Lord, in your mercy, 

hear our prayer.

Jesus help us in this Nation to be in Your Word and see more Joy.

Covered in God's Love,

President Donald Trump, the First Lady and their Family

Vice President JD Vance, the Second Lady and their Family.
All of Our Families.

The Presidential Team.

Governor Abbott and all 50 Governors and Legislatures.

The end of trouble surrounding this Post Plague.

Lord Jesus Christ,

Worldwide Peace

Prosperity and

Peace.

We pray that as a Nation,

as a Community,

as a Church,

as a Neighborhood,

we share what You would have us share.

Pray with hope!

Ending

Bad weather experienced 

And

be good weather again.

Praying for safety and prosperity in these days.

Please continue to pray for peace and the wishes of our parents and great and

grandparents to be fulfilled in a peaceful and complete manner. 

WITH

Thanksgiving for our household

to put the rabies shots behind us

And Good Health

Prevailing

on the Wings of Eagles.

We ask in the Name of Jesus Christ.

And in Jesus - this Hope, 

Faith and Love - we will rise up believing Jesus. 

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yes The Lord Fulfills His Purpose

Thank You, Jesus

†