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Ephesians 2

Ephesians 2

Jesus Christ, the Chief Cornerstone

Global Visual Library Low-Fidelity Symbol Knockout

The Saints living in Ephesus who had been Gentiles before their conversion may have felt like “strangers and foreigners” (Ephesians 2:19) as they worshiped with the Jewish Christians. Paul reminded the Saints of Ephesus that they had been united through Jesus Christ as “fellowcitizens … of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19). The church they now belonged to was built upon the foundation of Christ and His apostles and prophets and had the power to bless them as they came together with faith in Jesus Christ. This lesson can help you recognize and seek blessings that are available because Jesus Christ leads His Church today through prophets and apostles.

A sense of belonging

  • Why might someone feel like they do not fit in as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

  • If someone did not feel like they fit in the Church, what counsel would you give them?

Ponder how you feel about the Lord’s Church. When have you felt a strong sense of belonging in the Church? Have there been times when you felt like you did not fit in? What blessings do you feel are available as a member of Christ’s Church? As you study this lesson, look for truths about what the Lord has done for us that can unite us as members of His Church.

Breaking down barriers

Jerusalem model Temple closeup_161

During the time of Paul the Apostle, non-Jewish converts to Christianity (or those who formerly were Gentiles) may have felt like they did not fit in with the rest of the Church and may have felt more like “strangers and foreigners” (Ephesians 2:19). For example, at the temple in Jerusalem, they would not have been allowed past the “wall of partition” (Ephesians 2:14) to the more sacred areas of the temple where only Jews, including Jewish Christians, would have been able to go. In addition, Gentiles had previously not been offered the blessings of the gospel until Heavenly Father’s revelation to Peter (see Acts 10).

Paul wrote to the Saints at Ephesus, who may have been recent converts. Read Ephesians 2:12–14, 18–21, looking for how the Lord had blessed the Ephesians. It may be useful to know that these verses begin with Paul inviting these Saints to recall their lives before their conversion. The “household of God” (verse 19) that Paul mentions refers to the Church of Jesus Christ.

Doctrinal Mastery icon (blue). Image is of an open book. Ephesians 2:19–20 is a doctrinal mastery passage. Consider marking doctrinal mastery passages in a distinctive way so you can locate them easily. You will learn more about this passage in the next lesson.

If you would like to see a video depiction of Ephesians 2:10–22, consider watching “Ye Are No More Strangers” (2:27), available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

2:27

Ye Are No More Strangers

Paul teaches that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is available for all of God's children. Ephesians 2:10–22

  • How did the Lord bless the Ephesians?

Through His Atonement, Jesus Christ removed all barriers that separated Jews from Gentiles and also separated Gentiles from God. Gentiles no longer had to become Jews, live the law of Moses, or become circumcised to join the Church. As they came to Jesus Christ and accepted His gospel, they were of “the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19)—part of God’s covenant people.

  • In what ways does the Savior break down barriers between us and others?

  • How do you feel about everyone having “access … unto the Father” (verse 18) through “the blood of Christ” (verse 13)?

  • How would you summarize the blessings of verses 19–21 to someone who feels like they do not fit in the Lord’s Church?

  • Why do you think Paul compared the Church to a household or family?

The chief cornerstone

In Paul’s day, a chief cornerstone was a large stone laid at the corner of a foundation. Each cornerstone of a foundation supported much of the weight of the structure and served to connect walls. The angle and placement of all other stones was measured out from the chief cornerstone.

Photo of the cornerstone of a temple

Draw a representation of what is described in Ephesians 2:19–21. You could label your drawing with terms from the scripture passage.

  • What truths can we learn from how Jesus Christ has established His Church?

Writing on a piece of paper with a pen or pencil. 1. Answer the following questions in your study journal:

  • What do you know about Jesus Christ that makes the comparison of Him to a chief cornerstone fitting?

  • In what ways can we build our lives on the Savior and His apostles and prophets?

  • How does building our lives upon the foundation of Jesus Christ and His prophets and apostles help us find a place and purpose in the Church?

Your foundation

As you do some of the following activities, ponder these questions:

  • What am I doing to build my life on the foundation of prophets and apostles with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone? What blessings have I experienced?

  • In what ways might the Lord want me to build even more on this foundation?

Writing on a piece of paper with a pen or pencil. 2. Do at least two of the following activities:

  1. Take a few moments to ponder what your life would be like without the Lord’s prophets and apostles on the earth today. Imagine life without their authority from the Lord, and their inspired teachings, guidance, and Christlike example. Write in your study journal how life would be different and what you would miss.

  2. Later in his epistle, Paul mentioned additional blessings that come through prophets, apostles, and other Church leaders. Read Ephesians 4:11–14 and consider marking these blessings. It may be helpful to know that an evangelist is a patriarch, and a pastor refers to a leader of a congregation, like a stake or district president, bishop or branch president. Write down one or two ways you have experienced these blessings.

  3. Select one or two topics in For the Strength of Youth (booklet, 2011). Write down specific ways this guidance from the Lord’s apostles and prophets has helped you.

  4. Think about how prophets and apostles have helped you come to know the Savior and become more like Him. Write your thoughts in your study journal. The following videos (available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org) might help you reflect and write.

    • “Excerpts from ‘The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles’” (2:45)

      2:45

      Excerpts from "The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles"

      As special witnesses of Jesus Christ, the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve shared their testimony of Christ by recording excerpts from the original document, "The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles."

    • “He Lives: Testimonies of Jesus Christ” (2:11)

      2:11

      He Lives: Testimonies of Jesus Christ

      See and hear modern-day Apostles testify that Jesus Christ is the Savior and that He lives today.

What did you learn?

To finish this lesson, think about what you learned. Consider how building your life on the foundation of prophets and apostles with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone unites you with “the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19). Think about how you will build your life even more on the foundation of prophets and apostles with the Savior as the chief cornerstone.

Optional: Want to Learn More?

Ephesians 2:14. What is the “middle wall of partition” spoken of by Paul?

The temple in Jerusalem contained several courts or areas, and only certain types of people could enter each court. Gentiles were permitted to ascend the temple mount and enter the outer court, called the Court of the Gentiles. The inner courts of the temple, however, were shielded from Gentile access by a special partition or wall that stood about one meter high. If a Gentile passed beyond this wall, he could be put to death. Archaeologists have discovered two of the marble blocks that made up this barrier, and they contain inscriptions in Greek and Latin that read: “No foreigner is to pass beyond the barriers surrounding the sanctuary. Whoever is caught doing so will have himself to blame for his death which will follow” (Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, Eric D. Huntsman, Thomas A. Wayment, Jesus Christ and the World of the New Testament [2006], 160).

Following Paul’s third missionary journey, some Jews in Jerusalem accused Paul of bringing Gentiles beyond the barrier, leading to a riot and ultimately to Paul’s arrest (see Numbers 1:51; Acts 21:27–29).

Ephesians 2:20. Why is the Church of Jesus Christ founded upon apostles and prophets, with Christ as the chief cornerstone?

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said this about the foundation of Christ’s Church:

Official Portrait of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. Photographed January 2018.

In New Testament times, in Book of Mormon times, and in modern times these officers form the foundation stones of the true Church, positioned around and gaining their strength from the chief cornerstone, “the rock of our Redeemer, who is [Jesus] Christ, the Son of God” [Helaman 5:12]. … Such a foundation in Christ was and is always to be a protection in days “when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you.”

(Jeffrey R. Holland, “Prophets, Seers, and Revelators,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2004, 7)