5 Solas: Christ Alone - Trinitarian Structures in Ephesians
Join us, Tuesday at 7:00 pm for “Christ Alone"
When we look at the doctrine of Christ Alone, it necessitates the belief that Jesus is fully divine (now something that was not in question between the Roman church and the Protestant church; the battle lines there was concerned with the question of whether Christ is the only mediator). But today with the challenges of Jehovah’s Witnesses, for example, who believe Jesus to be the archangel Michael and therefore not divine, but a created being, it is worth reflecting again on the doctrine of Christ’s divinity and how that the divinity of Jesus is a core tenant of salvation.
I still remember back in University a friend asking me: how do you prove the Trinity? I was very illiterate in the Bible back then so I wondered with him. Now reflecting after many years on that question I would whole heartedly come and look at the structure of Ephesians to see the way in which the Triune God works in our lives. Let’s walk through it together:
Salvation from the Triune God (1:1-14)
The Father (3-6)
The Son (7-12)
The Holy Spirit (13-14)
The Father chose us before the world began to be adopted. How did he accomplish this? Through Jesus Christ we now have redemption and forgiveness because of Jesus. Further, from the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit is sent to dwell with us and be with us and confirm in us this salvation, as a down-payment of future blessedness!
Salvation makes no sense apart from the Trinity.
Unity in the Triune God (2:11-22)
Reconciliation through Christ’s blood (11-15)
Having now peace with God the Father (16-19)
Being built into one new temple by the Spirit (20-22)
Paul begins, reminding the Ephesian church that they, Gentiles, aliens from God’s promise have now been brought into God’s family through Jesus Christ. Being brought into God’s family, they now have peace with God and unity with God’s people. Further, they now (along with you and me and all who are in Christ), have access to the one Father by the Holy Spirit (dwelling inside of us). We are no longer aliens, but fellow citizens and saints.
The church makes no sense apart from the Trinity.
Prayer in the Triune God (3:14-21)
That God grant you power through the Spirit (16)
That Christ dwell in your hearts (17-18)
That you be filled with the fullness of God, the Father (19)
Speaking about prayer, Paul inverts the order here. He prays that they may be strengthened by the Holy Spirit, that Christ would dwell in their hearts, rooting and grounding them in love, and that all of this, the work of the Spirit and the work of Jesus, would ultimately fill us with the fullness of God the Father.
Prayer makes no sense apart from the Trinity.
Spiritual Warfare, victorious in the Triune God (6:10-20)
Strength in the Lord Jesus (10-13)
Putting on the Armour of God, the Father (14-16)
Wielding the Spirit in spiritual warfare (17-20)
Paul now concludes his letter and leaves them with hope in the on-going spiritual warfare they will all face. So he lays it out, Christ the divine warrior who has conquered sin, death, and the devil — we are to stand firm in his strength. We are to put on the armour of God the Father to withstand the attacks of the evil one. All the while, wielding the sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God — remember the Holy Spirit inspired the writers to write).
There is no hope against the attacks of Satan if Jesus is not divine. He cannot help us if he isn’t the stronger man, greater than Satan. There is no hope to defeat Satan if the Holy Spirit is also not fully God. You have no sword to wield.
Victory in spiritual warfare is impossible without the Trinity.
Assuming the Trinity
Paul just assumes that God is Triune throughout the letter to the Ephesians. In 6 short chapters the Trinity; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is writ large and affects every part of our lives as believers: predestination, salvation, life in the church, and ultimate victory over the spiritual forces of evil.
When we think of Christ Alone, we mean he is the only way to the Father, the only mediator between God and man. He is the only way to find forgiveness of sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. No one but Jesus is fully human and fully divine. Flee to him. Pray to him. Fight for him and with him in his strength, and you will be victorious.
