Political Concepts in Apostolic Writings III

Let's take a look at Ephesians 2:19-22 next. On the face of it, this would not seem to apply to our present discussion but, in fact, it addresses questions of allegiences and community that pertain. What does this passage say about the community to which Christians belong? The referent passage is verses 11-13—Paul describes the reversal of the separation of the Gentiles that takes place in Christ. The Ephesian Christians used to be "outside the camp," far off from the people of God. Now they have been brought near, even "fellow citizens with the saints, and...of God's household." The people of God is trans-national. I have much more in common with fellow believers in Africa or Asia than I do with non-believers that live in my neighborhood.