Partakers of the Promise

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Partakers of the Promise
August verse: "He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.​" - Galatians 3:14​ (NIV)
2026-27 verse: "This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus." - Ephesians 3:6 (NIV)
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This summer we launched our 2026-27 theme, “Mysteries in Motion: Unfolding Who God Is and Who God Says We Are.” Our guiding verse is Ephesians 3:6, which reads, “This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.” ​S​o far, we have focused on the fact that this verse reminds us Christians that we are fully included as Christ's co-heirs (June), His body (July), and, this month His promises (August).

This month's supplemental verse is Galatians 3:14 which reads, "He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit." This verse complements Ephesians 3:6 by highlighting that as Gentiles (most of us) and Christian Jews, we have access to the benefits as "sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus." And, according to Galatians 3:14, that promise, at least in one manifestation, is through our "recei[pt of] the promise of the Spirit"!

In other words, as believers today, we have the gift of a promise fulfilled: we get to live in what God Promised​ right now! We have access and purpose because He called us into a relationship with Himself through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

What is so mind-bogglingly awesome about this is that prior to Pentecost, the world did not experience the Holy Spirit like we do. Instead, the Bible tells us that God's Spirit only came upon specific people. In fact, the first recorded instance (excepting God's breath, which could be interpreted as his Spirit, breathing Adam to life) is the Spirit filling Bezalel​, a master craftsman called to lead the building and adornment of the Tabernacle and Ark of the Covenant, along with his assistant, Oholiab (Exodus 31:1-11). How remarkable that a) the first Spirit-filled person we know of was expressing their passion and skills for the glory of God and b) that we have access to that same Spirit today in all that we do for God!

You and I are likely to have lots of differences in opinions, theological interpretations, backgrounds, customs...the list is almost endless. But one thing we share is the same access to the promise of the Holy Spirit. Later in Ephesians, Paul writes (as inspired by the Holy Spirit, mind you!) that we have been marked by Holy Spirit, "with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption​" (4:30b). This mark is not only as a way to recognize one another as Christians (see Galatians 5:22-23 for more on what that mark looks like), but also as a way to be set apart (holy) for God's purpose.

Marks and seals distinguish one thing from another; for example, we use a royal signet ring or domestic animal marks to understand ownership. To understand what that mark means, we are marked for Christ as our Master! And instead of forever being slaves to sin, we call Him "Master" because we have been redeemed as children and co-heirs in Christ, identified as part of His very body.

Let us thank God that He has already fulfilled so many promises in sending Christ to teach us, die for us, and defeat death for us, and delivering to us the Holy Spirit so many before us longed to know and be guided and marked by.
CONTINUE THIS STUDY:
Read Ephesians 4:1-16, and discuss the following questions with an accountability partner, friend, or as a small group (We even invite you to use the SAO Slack channel if you are a chapter president to cultivate inter-chapter spiritual development/leadership!):
1) Verses 1-6 outline many things we share as believers. What are they?
2) Verses 7-12 tells us Christ's purpose of spiritual leaders. What is it? How are you staying focused on that goal in the areas of your life where others may be relying on your spiritual leadership, example, or direction?
3) According to verses 14-16, what is the ultimate goal(s) of the individual and collective body of believers?
4) What is a way that you can remind and encourage another Christian that they are included in the promises of God and share in the power of the Holy Spirit?
GO FURTHER:
Finish the rest of Ephesians 4. Discuss the implications of being "set apart" and "marked" by the Spirit in daily life as described in this Scripture passage.
Father God, We thank you for the gift and promise fulfilled in the Holy Spirit that dwells in us. Thank you for unifying us in purpose and granting us access to you through what Christ has done for us. We ask that you will show us how to honor you in humbly displaying the mark of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives to one another. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
In Him,
Claire E. H. McAuliffe
Executive Director

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