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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] |
Subject: Created "in " Christ Jesus |
Bible Note: Mark, I opened a new topic to answer your question about the salvation of the thief on the cross. This is answering your question asking how I regard the salvation of gentiles in Acts 10:44, who received the baptism of the Holy Spirit (HS) prior to water baptism. Please read Acts 2, 10, and 11. I have to determine if Paul’s words in Eph 4:5, about the “one baptism” is talking about the Holy Spirit baptism or water baptism. Can’t be both. The HS baptism was fulfillment of a promise to the Apostles (Acts 1:4-5). Scripture tells of two occurrences of it, Acts 2 and Acts 10. Water baptism is in obedience to a command. Salvation came to the Jews first, then to the Gentiles; in each case, evidence of this salvation was manifested by the power of the HS baptism. Acts 2 and Acts 10. Before Jesus ascended, he told the 11 Apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the power. Earlier he had said he would send the Comforter to bring to their minds everything he had told them and guide them into all truth. Key: This promise is to no one but the Apostles. Peter was preaching to Cornelius’ household “words by which they would be saved.” Acts 11:14. The HS came upon the Gentiles while Peter was speaking, and because it astonished Peter and the other Jews, my conclusion is that Peter’s words which were to save did not include mention of HS baptism. As stated many times in scripture, the reason for God’s signs and wonders was to confirm his word. Now that we have perfect knowledge and prophecy in the written word of God, which was confirmed and witnessed, the need for miracles is past. (First Cor 13 says the miracles will go away when the perfect comes.) The word of His creation was confirmed by miracles; the establishment of the Law of Moses was confirmed by miracles; and the establishment His church, the kingdom, was confirmed by miracles, one of which was the HS descending on the gentiles. The reason for the HS baptism of the gentiles was to show the Jews that God’s salvation is for the gentiles also, as evidenced by this verse: “When they [the Jews] heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life." Acts 11:18 Then Peter continued preaching the word, "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" 48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.” (Acts 10:47,48) The example of the conversion of Cornelius’ household is consistent with all other examples of conversions in Acts. Water baptism was commanded by Jesus and obedience to the command is necessary for salvation. (At risk of sounding like a broken record, I’ll quote Heb 5:9 again, “And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him…” and I’ll call to attention II John 9.) Acts 2:38, the gift of the HS comes to us after baptism in water. See also Acts 19:1-5. My conclusion is that the one baptism of Eph 4:5 is water baptism. Anyone claiming Holy Spirit baptism today will have to make their own justifications for that, including why the astonishing manifestations, as given in scripture, are not present. |