We are made partakers of the promise in Christ through faith in the Gospel — not by law or works, but by Christ's finished work and the Holy Spirit's baptism into His Body.
Paul reveals that the Gentiles are fellowheirs, of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ by the gospel (Ephesians 3:6). Les emphasizes that this happens by Christ's finished work, not by Judaism or the Mosaic law. At the moment of faith in the Gospel, the Holy Spirit baptizes every true believer into the Body of Christ, connecting him to Christ the Head.
Ephesians 3:6 — This is the key verse that directly states the Gentiles are partakers of the promise in Christ by the gospel.
1 Corinthians 12:13 — This verse shows the Spirit's work in baptizing all believers into the one Body of Christ.
Ephesians 1:22 — This verse shows Christ as Head over all things to the Church, the Body of which believers are members.
Paul writes, "That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel" (Ephesians 3:6). The promise is therefore received by the Gospel. The same letter describes Christ's exaltation: God "raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named" (Ephesians 1:20-21). God also "hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church" (Ephesians 1:22). Paul teaches that "by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body" (1 Corinthians 12:13), and that in Christ believers "have obtained an inheritance" (Ephesians 1:11).
Les explains that Ephesians 3:6 is part of the mystery Paul revealed — the Gentiles are fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ, not by Judaism, not by the Mosaic law, but by Christ's finished work (Clip 5). He teaches that just as soon as a person becomes a child of God through faith in the Gospel, he becomes a member of the Body of Christ, joined to Christ as Head, and becomes a joint heir with Him (Clip 3). Les also emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is the One who baptizes every true believer into that one Body, regardless of whether he is Jew or Gentile, bond or free (Clip 1, 4). Christ, as Head, is seated far above every principality and power, and believers share that heavenly position as members of His Body (Clip 0).
Les explains that the Gentiles are partakers of the promise in Christ 'not by Judaism, not by the Mosaic law, but how? By Christ, see, by his finished work' (Clip 5). In other words, the promise comes through the Gospel — what Christ has accomplished — and not through any system of works. This is consistent with Paul's plain statement in Ephesians 3:6 that the promise is 'by the gospel.'
Paul writes, 'For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body' (1 Corinthians 12:13). Les explains that this is how we become members of the Body of Christ: the Holy Spirit does the baptizing, placing every true believer into that one Body (Clip 1). He points out that in the early Acts period Jesus was the baptizer, but today the Holy Spirit is the baptizer (Clip 7). Every believer, regardless of station in life, is 'made to drink into that one Spirit' (Clip 4).
Les connects being in the Body of Christ with becoming a joint heir with Him. Once a person becomes a child of God through faith in the Gospel, he is a member of the Body, Christ is the Head, and the believer is a joint heir with Christ (Clip 3). Paul also reminds us that in Christ we have obtained an inheritance (Ephesians 1:11). Thus, partaking of the promise in Christ means sharing in what belongs to Christ as Head of the Body.
Christ as Head of the Body
Les explains that Christ is set at God's right hand in the heavenlies, far above every principality and power, and has been given to be Head over all things to the Church. This is the position believers share as members of the Body.
Spirit Baptism into the Body
Les teaches that the Holy Spirit has baptized every true believer into the Body of Christ, regardless of experience or station. This is how believers are put into Christ.
Inheritance in Christ
Les points out that in Christ, Gentile believers especially have obtained an inheritance according to God's predestined purpose, connecting inheritance to our part in the promise.
Faith in the Gospel
Les explains that at the moment of faith in the Gospel, a person becomes a child of God, a member of the Body of Christ, and a joint heir with Christ.
One Body for Jew and Gentile
Les teaches that whether Jew or Gentile, bond or free, every believer has been baptized into the one body and made to drink of the one Spirit.
Partakers by Christ's Finished Work
Les directly comments on Ephesians 3:6, saying the Gentiles are fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ — not by Judaism or the law, but by Christ's finished work.
Believers Connected to the Head
Les shows that just as the human mind controls every part of the body, so Christ as Head controls and connects every believer in the Body.
The Holy Spirit as Baptizer Today
Les describes the transition: in early Acts, Jesus was the baptizer, but now the Holy Spirit is the baptizer who places believers, predominantly Gentiles, into the Body.
Ephesians 3:6: That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
This is the key verse that directly declares Gentiles are partakers of the promise in Christ by the gospel.
1 Corinthians 12:13: For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
This verse shows the Spirit's role in placing believers into the one Body of Christ.
Ephesians 1:11: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
This verse reveals the inheritance believers have in Christ, part of being partakers of the promise.
Ephesians 1:20-21: Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
This describes Christ's exalted position far above all rule and authority.
Ephesians 1:22: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
This shows Christ as Head over all things to the Church.
No. The Scripture says the promise is 'by the gospel' (Ephesians 3:6), and Les explains that it is not by Judaism or the Mosaic law, but by Christ's finished work (Clip 5).
The Holy Spirit. Les explains that every true believer is a member of the Body of Christ because the Holy Spirit has baptized him into it (Clip 1). Paul specifically says, 'For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body' (1 Corinthians 12:13).
At the moment of faith in the Gospel. Les says that just as soon as we become a child of God through faith in the Gospel, we become members of the Body of Christ and joint heirs with Him (Clip 3).
No. The verse itself says the Gentiles are fellow heirs and partakers of the promise in Christ (Ephesians 3:6). Les makes the point that this was a mystery not previously revealed (Clip 5).
Watch the Teaching: Why Only Paul Uses the Term 'Body of Christ' — Bible Study