The leadership of a church is very important. It includes apostles, pastors and teachers, evangelists and prophets. All are under the authority of the original Apostles through Scripture.

Becoming a Christian involves a change in attitudes and life empowered by the Holy Spirit. It is necessary to put off the past life in order to put on the new life.

Paul continues to speak practically about how to live the Christian life. He encourages the believer to put off the old life and put on the new. Jesus is the supreme example - what would He do? Thanksgiving is a major part of spiritual warfare and living in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul’s teaching on marriage was challenging to the Christians in Ephesus. The husband must imitate Christ and his servant leadership. The wife could then respect and submit to that leadership.

Paul continues his teaching about Christian family life and discipleship. He teaches both the children and their fathers and also both slaves and their masters. Being a Christian affects the whole of life.

Paul introduces the reality of spiritual warfare that every Christian faces together with the resources that God provides to fight against the enemy. Roman soldiers are guarding him and he uses their armour to explain these resources.

Despite being in prison facing a death sentence, Paul opens his letter by reminding the church of all the blessings they have. He writes of God’s initiative in salvation but also the need for each Christian to make a decision. God is working out His purposes.

Paul explains that salvation means that God’s Holy Spirit comes into your life bringing the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and placed him at the right hand of the Father with all that that implies.

Paul explains the serious situation of those who do not believe - they are dead, separated from God. He balances this with the good news of grace shown by Jesus' death on the cross. Faith is all that is required.

Paul taught that the Church should be a place that welcomed people of all tribes and nations. In his day, there was a separation of Jews from Gentiles which had to be overcome. The Church is described as a building, a family and a temple.