Ephesians 1, Mark. For about the 100th time.
Ephesians 1. I like Eph 1.
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3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, 4
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as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love
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he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will,
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for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved.
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In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace
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that he lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight,
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he has made known to us the mystery 5 of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in him
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as a plan for the fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.
All things, Dr. E. All men and all the world.
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In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the one who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,
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so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped 6 in Christ.
The Jews.
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In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed 7 with the promised holy Spirit,
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which is the first installment 8 of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory.
The Gentiles are also promised to be included as God’s possession. Installment of inheritance does not mean a guaranteed receipt. The seal is the mark of God - baptism. And God has made a down payment to us - the gift of His Grace.
I really wish that you guys could read what is actually there instead of making up fairy stories about the magically selected elite elect - and you’re one of them.