1	Ephesians: Unveiling the Musterion Dr. L. D. Alford, Ph.D. Author, Test Pilot, Engineer, Educator www.lionelalford.com www.ldalford.com
2	Author The Second Mission Centurion Aegypt The End of Honor The Fox’s Honor A Season of Honor $15 each, 3 for $40
3	Ground Rules History No theology No doctrine New Testament Documents Old Testament Documents Look at History, culture, language
4	Outline 1. Introduction 2. Historical veracity 3. Historical prelude, Musterion 4. Literature of Ephesians 5. Logos to tellos of Ephesians 6. The Musterion 7. The Mystery of Christ 8. Conclusions
5	Approach Veracity of text History Literature of text Culture Establish a Greek first century view of Ephesians
6	First Concept We can never lose track of the fact that what we call “Christianity” was originally a sect of Judaism – teen Hodos No member of the sect would initially call it Christianity—that would identify it as a musterion
7	Literature Literature of Ephesians Greek literature Sayings Narratives Argument to a Telos
8	Telos
9	Ephesians A little ancient Greek
10	Ephesians Written to Gentiles (Greeks) and Jews 2 Grace <charis> and peace < eirene > to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
11	Ephesians Written to present a “good” argument (logos to telos) 3 Praise < eulogetos, good argument > be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed < eulogetos , good argument > us in the heavenly realms < epouranios > with every spiritual < pneumatikos, non corporeal > blessing < eulogetos, good argument > in Christ.
12	Ephesians Written to express the choice of man and God not held by Chronos and Pathos 5 he predestined < proorizo, before bound> us to be adopted < huiothesia, placed offspring > <as his sons, x, added> through <dia, by the acts of> Jesus Christ, in accordance < kata, down > with his pleasure < eudokia, good thoughts > and will < thelema, choice >
13	Ephesians Written to show the wisdom and understanding given by the “unbound” God to man 8 that he lavished < perisseuo, superabound > on < eis, to > us with all <pas, the whole of> wisdom < Sophia, wisdom > and understanding < phronesis, the exercise of the mind >.
14	Ephesians The means of this is the musterion of God’s choice (thelema) 9 And he made known < gnorizo, to make known > to us the mystery < musterion, silence imposed by initiation ceremony > of his will < thelema, choice > according <kata, down> to his good pleasure < eudokia, good thoughts >, which he purposed < protithemai, prior placed > in <Christ, x, added, autos, himself>,
15	Ephesians Through Christ 10 to be put into effect < oikonomia, dwelling (or house) of law > when the times < kairos, times of man > will have reached their fulfillment < pleroma, completely filled >-- to bring all things <pas> in heaven < ouranos, above > and on earth <ge, solid part of the earth, soil> together under one head < anakephalaiomai, to sum up, up heads>, even Christ.
16	Ephesians Then Paul describes it all in terms of the musterion 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard< akouo, heard > the word < logos, argument > of truth < aletheia >, the gospel < euaggelion, good news from the gods > of your salvation < soteria >. Having believed < pisteuo, been persuaded >, you <were marked in him with a seal> < sphragizo, sealed with a private mark (from enclosed) >, the promised < epaggelia, superimposed message from the gods > Holy < hagios, aweful > Spirit < pneuma, breath >
17	Ephesians 1 22 And <God, x, added> placed < hupotasso, under arranged (subordinated) > all <pas> <things, x, added> under < hupo, under > his feet < pous, foot > and appointed < didomi, give > him to be head < kephale, seizing the head > over <huper> every <pas> <thing, x, added> for the church < ekklesia, Athenian democracy >,
18	Ephesians 2 Perhaps most famous statement from Ephesians - sacrifice 8 For by grace < charis, graciousness > are ye saved < sozo, safe > through faith < pistis, persuasion >; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift < doron, sacrifice > of God: (KJV) 9 not by works < ergon, toil >, so that no one can boast < kauchaomai, boast of his prayers >.
19	Ephesians 2 In the body of Christ, the Jews (teen Hodos) and Gentiles (musterion) are fully reconciled 16 and in this one body < soma, body > to reconcile < apokatallasso, fully reconcile > both of them to God through the cross < stauros, stake >, by which he put to death < apokteino, kill outright > their hostility < echthra, hostility >.
20	Ephesians 3 This is how things should be managed 2 Surely < ei ge, if indeed > you have heard < akouo, heard > about the administration < oikonomia, lawgiving (management) of the house > of God's grace < charis, graciousness > that was given < didomi, to give > to me for you,
21	Ephesians 3 Through a musterion 3 that is < hoti, because that > , the mystery < musterion, silence imposed during the initiation > made known < gnorizo, he made known > to me by revelation < apokalupsis, disclose (take off the cover) >, as I have already written < prographo, previously wrote > briefly < oligos, briefly >. Earlier letter was not followed Reason for this letter
22	Ephesians 3 Paul says, this is my whole point to you Greeks (Gentiles at Ephesus) 4 In reading this < anaginosko, knowing this again >, then, you will be able < dunamai, be able or possible > to understand < noeo, comprehend > my insight < sunesis, mental putting together > into the mystery < musterion > of Christ,
23	Ephesians 3 In other words to have full understanding of the philosophia within the Kosmos Later the sacrifice of Christ fills this plenum 18 May be able to comprehend < exischuo, filled with the force of the gods > with all saints < hagios, awful things empowered by the gods > what is the breadth < platos, width >, and length < mekos, length >, and depth < bathos, profundity (extent) >, and height < hupsos, elevation >; (KJV)
24	Ephesians 1 4 For he chose <eklegomai, from lego> us in him before <pro> the creation < katabole, throw down > of the world < kosmos > to be holy < hagios, sacred being > and blameless < amomos, no flaw > in his sight < katenopion, down in the face of >. In love <agape, love of the gods>
25	Ephesians 4 Robed in the deity – Paul will return to this musterion logos 23 to be made new < ananeoo, renovate > in the attitude < pneuma, conscious breath > of your minds < nous, intellect >; 24 and to put on < enduo, sink into new clothing > the new < kainos, fresh > self <anthrapos>, created < ktizo, fabricated > to be like <kata, after> God in true righteousness < dikaiosune, equity (balance) > and holiness < hosiotes, piety of the gods >.
26	Ephesians 5 13 But everything <pas> exposed < elegcho, admonished > by the light < phos, lighted by rays > becomes visible <phaneroo, is rendered apparent><is light> < phos, lighted by rays>, Pure musterion ideas Light dispels darkness Intellectual darkness
27	Ephesians 5 14 <for it is light that makes everything visible.> <added,xx cut from 13 and placed in 14> <This is why it is said:>< dio, through which thing > "Wake up < egeiro, satnd up in the marketplace >, O sleeper < katheudo, lie down to sleep >, rise < anistemi, rise up (stand up) > from the dead < nekros, a corpse >, and Christ will shine on you < epiphauo, illuminate (become known to you, appear to you) >." Continuing the musterion theme literally in the Greek: Through this, stand up in the marketplace you who lay down to sleep stand up from a corpse, and Christ will appear to you. The point of this statement is to point to the “mystery” of Christ and to invoke the fact that they too will in this musterion see Christ
28	Ephesians 5 20 always < pantote, every when > giving thanks < eucharisteo, good graciousness > to God the Father for everything, in the name < onoma, name > of our Lord Jesus Christ. 21 Submit < hupotasso, be subordinated > to one another out < allelon, different one (one another) > of reverence < phobos, fright or alarm > for Christ. 1:22 And <God, x, added> placed < hupotasso, under arranged (subordinated) > all <pas> <things, x, added> under < hupo, under > his feet < pous, foot > and appointed < didomi, give > him to be head < kephale, seizing the head > over <huper> every <pas> <thing, x, added> for the church < ekklesia, Athenian democracy >,
29	Ephesians 5 23 For the husband is the head < kephale, stands in front to defend (lit. sticks out his head so the enemy will sieze it first) > of the wife as Christ is the head < kephale, stands in front to defend > of the church < ekklesia, Athenian Democracy >, his body < soma, body >, of which he is the Savior < soter, a deliverer (lit. one who makes safe) >. 2776 kephale (kef-al-ay'); from the primary kapto (in the sense of seizing); the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively: KJV-- head.
30	Ephesians 5 32 This is a profound < megas, big > mystery < musterion, silence during the initiation ceremony >-- but I am talking < lego, argue > about Christ and the church. Reference back to the plenum Not the marriage of man and woman—that isn’t the context of Paul’s thought. The context (logos) is and has been the musterion of Christ from the beginning. Paul’s point is that marriage is a part of the musterion and the musterion includes this love of the wife (others). Paul clarifies this point with the end of the statement
31	Ephesians 5 33 However, each one of you also must love < agapao > his wife as he loves < agapao > himself, and the wife must respect < phobeo, revere (fear) > her husband. Repeats himself The amount of time Paul spends on the men here should make the point clear as day Women aren’t the problem in the Greek culture—men are The men are told over and over to love their wives like God loves and to protect, nurture and care for them, to not abuse them In the end women are told (needlessly) to revere- in the Greek to fear your husband as you fear God—same word used in 5:21 in reference to Christ – but then again, would we find it redundant to be reminded to fear Christ?
32	Ephesians 6 Vesting theme moves from deity to very specific ideas 11 Put on < enduo, invest with clothing > the full armor < panoplia, all the implements of war > of God so that you can take < dunamai, are able > your stand < histemi, to stand > against the devil's < diabolos, the act of throwing > schemes < methodeia, amid travel or road (way) >. Not necessarily devil – means literally against arguments and actions while on your travel through life
33	Ephesians 6 12 For our struggle < pale, wrestle (from ballo, to throw) > is not against flesh <sarx, flesh> and blood < haima, blood >, but against the rulers < arche, chief (high) >, against the authorities < exousia, privaleged >, against the powers < kosmokrator, universe seizer > of this dark < skotos, shadiness > world < aion, age > and against the spiritual forces < pneumatikos, non-carnal > of evil < poneria, male prostitutes (depravity) > in the heavenly realms < epouranios, above the physical sky >. Perhaps “ the battle is not against men but ideas that is of religion (arche, high priest), things (privalages), and the worship of the supreme ruler of this age (emperor worship) as well as against the non-carnal forces of the worship of the gods”
34	Ephesians 6 Final words to Greeks and Jews (musterion and teen Hodos) 23 Peace < eirene, peace > to the brothers < adephos, siblings from the same womb >, and love <agapeos, love of the gods> with faith <pistis, persuasion> from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace < charis, gracisouness > to all who love < agapao, love of the gods > our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying < aphthrsia, unending existence > love <xx, added>.
35	Ephesians Summary Paul’s exposition of the musterion is about: His authority How to resolve with Judaism How to convince your Greek neighbor Focus is musterion Images are sacrifice
36	Ephesians Summary This musterion of Christ Mimic God Agapao – impossible for man No sex or thing based immorality Nothing bad passed the lips outward - muo Logos Dikasune
37	Ephesians Summary This musterion of Christ Expose by telling truth – mystery of Christ (resurrection) Don’t befuddle mind Hupotasso as Christ is hupotasso
38	Ephesians Summary Vestments of Musterion Rest in the force of God Enduo all the implements of war Belt of truth around loins Thorax of equity Sandals of gospel of peace
39	Ephesians Summary Vestments of musterion Take up (receive) Large shield Helmet of defense Knife (or battle) of spirit breath that is the rhema of God Closing for Jews and Gentiles
40	teen Hodos Acts 9:1-3 1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way <teen Hodos>, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. (NIV)
41	Acts 24:15-23 22 Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way <teen Hodos>, adjourned the proceedings. "When Lysias the commander comes," he said, "I will decide your case." 23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs. (NIV)
42	Acts 26:16-29 25 "I am not insane, most excellent Festus," Paul replied. "What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do." 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" 29 Paul replied, "Short time or long-- I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.“ (NIV)
43	Acts 11:26 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. (NIV)
44	Felix – teen Hodos Notice that Felix calls it “The Way” He sees it as a Jewish issue/group/sect/ problem He is a Gentile and a Roman who speaks (Latin and Greek?) Big question of what language they are speaking Procurator of Judea
45	Agrippa - Christian Agrippa immediately calls it “Christian” He sees it as a Gentile issue/musterion/group/sect/problem He is Jewish and speaks Aramaic and Greek? Likely they are speaking Greek for sure here King of The Galleel
46	Integration We need to realize, the church in the NT was not coming out of “The Way” to become Christians The church was integrating its Jewish origins its pagan origins its Greek mystery religion origins
47	Evolution of Religion Animism Pantheistic Paganism (Pantheism) Musterion Gnosticism
48	Animism Spirits in all things that live and move Kami Dynamus and Energia – all forces in nature are miracles brought about by spirits (gods) Dryads, Naiads, Hamidryads…
49	Pantheistic Paganism Develops with literacy From spirits of nature to powers in human thought and civilization Zeus – lightening, Poseidon – Seas Athena – wisdom, Aphrodite – love Hesphatus – metallurgy Offspring of gods of natural forces
50	Greek Vocabulary 3466 μυστήριον musterion (moos-tay'-ree-on); from a derivative of muo (to shut the mouth); a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites): KJV-- mystery.
51	Musterion A Musterion is not and has never been considered simply a mystery or secret in ancient Greek A Musterion is a classification of a religion
52	Musterion Develops with philosophy and science Move toward monotheism Natural forces rather than mystical forces The mystery is a true revelation Revelation and knowledge based
53	Musterion Stage of Greek and Roman religion during first century Setting for entire NT Typical modern musterions Buddhism Jainism Islam
54	Musterion Christianity appeared and appears like a musterion, but isn’t Shares some key features Initiation Rites Others We will look in detail
55	Gnosticism Movement to idea of universal conscious – assumed monotheism Knowledge equals salvation End in itself or Leads to revelation Use of knowledge to find god
56	Ephesians What about the Musterion?
57	Musterion Musterion is not simply a mystery It is a type of religion Used more times than the word for church (ekklesia) in NT Focus of Ephesians Focus of Paul’s writing
58	What is a mystery religion? Mystery cults, or simply Mysteries, were "religious cults of the Graeco-Roman world, full admission to which was restricted to those who had gone through certain secret initiation rites."
59	Definition Term 'Mystery' derives from Latin mysterium, from Greek musterion (usually as the plural musteria μυστήρια), means "secret rite or doctrine."
60	Definition Although there are no other formal qualifications, mystery cults were also characterized by a lack of an orthodoxy & scripture. Religions that are practiced in secret only in order to avoid religious persecution are not by default Mysteries.
61	Mystery Play The old meaning of 'mystery' also preserved in term 'mystery play'. Stage performances in medieval Europe called mystery plays due to Greek religeous play back ground Also, because first groups to perform them were craftsmen guilds, entry to which required an initiation and who zealously protected their trade secrets.
62	Impact of Mystery Cults They reached their height of popularity during the times of early Christianity. Christianity was born during a period of proliferation. Christianity itself in the beginning consisted of many cults that existed independently and had very diverse doctrines. Because of such diversity, it is debatable whether Gnosticism was just another cult of Christianity or whether it was a separate religion.
63	Common Features Features common to all mystery religions Admission to the community was by a rite of initiation, A solemn consecration. Initiation was held in secret, which explains why they were called "mysteries."
64	Common Features Mystery followers were bound by an oath to keep the mysteries secret. The actual initiation was preceded by numerous rites of purification such as fasting, baptism, and confession. The Christian theologian Tertullian (ca. 155-220 CE) wrote, "In certain mysteries, e.g. Isis and Mithra, it is by baptism [Latin: per lavarum] that members are initiated ..."
65	Common Features After the preliminaries, there followed the delivery of the sacred symbol or signal. (Christians, too, used symbols, such as the fish and the anchor.)
66	Common Features The initiation culminated in the vision of the deity, in which the appearance of light played an important part. During the ceremony of initiation at the greater mysteries of Eleusis, the initiate would see a bright light and would receive the revelation of the mysteries.
67	Common Features Another symbolic rite was the vesting of the robe of the deity. By putting on the robe, the initiate "put on the deity." Likewise, Paul "put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (KJV)
68	Common Features These religions emphasized individual salvation (an idea emphasized in Christianity). Christianity features salvation from Hell, not from the cycle of reincarnation.
69	Common Features Within the mystery communities the class distinctions of the secular world, such as differences in nationality, race, or economic and social position, were null and void.
70	The Mystery Pythagorean mystery – Pythagorean theorem a²+b²=c² Orphic mystery – π Eleusinian mystery – things in a box, phallic symbol, seed, a sword Not sure of other “mysteries”
71	Impacts on teen Hodos The word "mystery" (Gr. musterion) is a key word in Christianity. It appears in the New Testament 22 times in the singular and 5 times in the plural.
72	Common Features The mystery religions did not promise their believers a universal resurrection. The belief that the dead will rise and will live on this planet with their god is almost unique to Judeo-Christianity.
73	Common Features In the mystery religions this personal relationship with the deity was also attained by the initiate through a sacred meal. The initiate ate "holy food," and it was as though he ate the deity and thereby became a deity.
74	Comparison teen Hodos does indeed appear like a mystery religion But is it really? If its features came from musterion, then you might conclude this—let’s see
75	Comparison Name of musterion Admission to the community was by a rite of initiation, Solemn consecration held in secret Preceded by rites of purification Fasting Baptism Confession. Delivery of the sacred symbol or signal Vision of the deity (revelation of the mystery) Vesting of the robe of the deity Adoption of a new name Personal relationship with deity attained through a sacred meal. Ate "holy food," by eating deity thereby became a deity Revelation of the mystery
76	Name Called Christians first in Antioch Reason no member of teen Hodos would ever call themselves Christians Called Christians because they looked like a musterion to the Greeks (and Herod) in Antioch
77	Admission Admission to the community was by a rite of initiation teen Hodos – initiation (conversion to Judaism) Christianity – confirmation Every group has some type of initiation-not a reasonable gauge
78	Initiation Solemn consecration held in secret teen Hodos – not in secret Christianity – never in secret Always in the open except when had to protect members Explicit words of Jesus, Paul, etc.
79	Initiation Preceded by rites of purification Fasting teen Hodos – norm Christianity – norm Baptism teen Hodos – mikva (baptism) Christianity – baptism
80	Initiation Preceded by rites of purification Confession teen Hodos – norm Christianity – norm Demanded by Jesus as a part of repentance Not so special Foot washing
81	Sacred Symbol Delivery of the sacred symbol or signal teen Hodos – never Christianity – yes (not necessarily secret)
82	Revelation Vision of the deity (revelation of the mystery) Mysteries were real things teen Hodos – no Christianity – yes (not secret) Christ has died Christ has risen Christ will come again
83	Vesting Vesting of the robe of the deity teen Hodos – no Christianity – yes (not of deity) Adoption of a new name teen Hodos – yes mikva Christianity – yes baptism
84	Sacred Meal Personal relationship with deity attained through a sacred meal. Ate "holy food," by eating deity thereby became a deity teen Hodos – yes from Passover of Christ (initiate did not become deity) Christianity – same
85	Musterion Summary teen Hodos/Christianity are not musterion They look like musterion Paul worked to make them look very much like a musterion Hidden in plain view Infiltrating the Greek world That’s what Ephesians is about
86	Musterion Summary How successful was the musterion of Christ?
87	Musterion Summary By AD 50 one fifth of population of Jerusalem and likely 1/5 levant Orthodox church took Greeks and Greece by storm – Hegemony in East 313 – legalization of Christianity 380 – Christianity state religion of the Roman Empire (~75%)
88	Musterion Summary Christmas – Greek/Roman festival to birth of Mitras – taken Easter – Greek/Roman festival to Hestia/Vesta – taken All festivals of teen Hodos – incorporated Day of Mitras/Apollo (Sunday) - taken
89	Musterion Summary Church from Kirios (house of Mithras) – taken Ekklesia from Athenian democracy – taken Mystery of Christ Christ has died Christ is risen Christ will come again
90	Musterion Summary Church year – based on Jewish festivals Church celebrations – similar to musterion Church symbols – taken Christian name – common Christian rites – mirror musterion
91	Musterion Summary Greek religious plays – became Christian “mystery” plays Greek language – language of Orthodox (eastern church) Roman language – Latin, language of Catholic (western church)
92	Conclusion Paul was right Ephesians especially were able to infiltrate using musterion teen Hodos was not as keen Issues today with messianic Jews and Jews is symptomatic of musterion divide Greeks got it, teen Hodos not as much Christianity today completely shaped by Greek musterion
93	Next Time The History in the book of Ruth? Sister of Light? Interwar years ’26 to ‘39 History in Sister of Light Follow-on to Aegypt
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