One New Man

In this article I break down Ephesians chapter two which explains how two groups of people, the Jews and the Gentiles, became ONE NEW MAN through the Spirit of Christ.

Gentiles were not constrained by the Mosaic law and so fulfilled the lusts of their flesh.

2 Wherein in times past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the 

desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

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:

Under the old covenant, Jews kept the Mosaic law thus were God’s chosen, seperate people.

The Jews called themselves “the Circumcision” and Gentiles “the uncircumcision”.

Thus the ordinance of circumcision was a “wall of petition” dividing Jews from Gentiles.

Through Christ, this wall was broken down.

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;

When Jesus died, Jewish ordinances were nailed to the cross meaning they were fulfilled in Him.

Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

“Circumcision of the flesh” was replaced with “circumcision of the heart”, for the new covenant is all about a heart transformation rather than adherence to physical ordinances.

This is why Ephes. 2:8&9 make the point that we are saved by grace through faith and not of works lest any man should boast.

Adherence to physical ordinances does not save a person, rather a heart transformation from which “good works” manifest.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Jesus had to die to release his Spirit.

The New Testament is in his blood but the blood represents his Spirit, for just as physical life is in the blood (Lev.17:11) Spiritual life is in the Spirit.

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

18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

The Spirit “quickens” 

1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Quicken means to cause to live, make alive, to arouse and invigorate metaph. Of seeds quickened into life, germinating, springing up, growing 

While sin results in spiritual death, repentance puts us in the position to be quickened by the Spirit. In this “quickening" we not only receive eternal life but are transformed into a new creature in Christ.

Thus those who receive the Holy Spirit are born-again and part of ONE NEW MAN which is the body of Christ, a holy temple and habitation of God, in which there is no race nor gender for everyone is equal.

16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

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

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.

Galatians 3

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.