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NASB | Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above--spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]. [Rom 1:20] |
Bible Question: What does it mean to be created "in" Christ Jesus? |
Bible Answer: I offer you this paper I wrote about the topic "In Christ." ARE YOU “IN CHRIST”? Do you believe that baptism is not necessary for salvation, but only an exercise to show a good conscience toward God? What if baptism really is necessary for salvation? It’s likely both of us believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and that the following six things are important: Hearing the gospel, believing it, repenting of sins, confessing Jesus as God and Savior, being baptized, and living a righteous life. We differ if you think salvation comes at the point of belief in Christ and that it is impossible to lose it. The Bible teaches that salvation comes at the point of obedience in baptism, and that living a righteous life is necessary to keep it. If your religious upbringing has convinced you that you are saved by faith alone, please judge whether that is an opinion of man -- a misinterpretation; that is, that God will save you outside of Christ. The Bible says one cannot be saved without faith, but it does not say one is saved by faith alone. Baptism is a necessary step in the plan of salvation. Sample text: · Mark 16:15-16, Jesus to the eleven: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved…” · Acts 2:38, Then Peter said to the Jews, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” · Acts 8:35-37, Ethiopian eunuch. “[Philip] preached Jesus to him. 36Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?’ 37Then Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’" · Acts 16:33 Philippian Jailer. “And immediately he and all his family were baptized.” – “…and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.” · Acts 22:6, Paul’s conversion, “Why tarriest thou, arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” · I Peter 3:21, “…baptism doth also now save us.” Being “in Christ” is a profound and highly spiritual concept, but logical and understandable, too. In Ephesians, Paul presents that concept 34 times. In Philippians, 17 times. In Colossians, 11 times. Other writers of New Testament epistles also use the term or concept “in Christ.” All spiritual blessings are “in Christ” (Eph 1:3). Salvation is a spiritual blessing. Salvation is “in Christ” (II Timothy 2:10). This is supported by Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14, and II Timothy 3:15 (“In Him” we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins). So, “how do we get into Christ?” The question is answered by scripture in at least two places – Romans 6:3 and Galatians 3:27: We are baptized into Christ. Paul said to the Ephesians, “there is one baptism.” I ask you, is it the baptism you believe is done after one is saved, or the baptism I believe saves by putting one into Christ – where salvation is? Don’t you agree that if the Bible is truth and we differ on our interpretations of it, one or both of us are wrong? We both cannot be right. All Christians are charged by apostolic teaching to speak the same thing, have the same mind, which is the mind of Christ who is the head of the body, the church. (I Cor 1:10; Rom 15:5-6; Phil 1:27 and 2:5; I Pet 4:1; and Col 1:18). Everything taught here is compatible with John 3:16, Romans 10:11-13, and Acts 16:30-31, which, in essence, say, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” Because of the warning in II John, verse 9, it is imperative that we test our beliefs to see if we are abiding in the doctrine of Christ. J. Elkins A related question. Can one be saved outside of the church? I Cor 12:13: “…by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body…” Col 1:10: “And He [Jesus] is the head of the body, the church…” Acts 2:47. “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” |