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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, answering your last question: If water baptism is necessary for salvation, does this mean that death-bed conversions are impossible? I have to say I don’t know. Since God has commanded water baptism for remission of sins, I have no right or authority to say anyone can be saved without baptism. Nor has anyone else that authority. In my mind, to teach such may be to “tempt God.” I know God requires repentance and obedience, and that He did not lie when He said “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved,” but I also know the scriptures teach that nothing is impossible with God, that He is not willing that any should perish, that He is merciful, and He knows men’s hearts. I don’t play the “what if” game; like, what about the man on his deathbed, or what about the man in the fox-hole, or what if there is not enough water -- what about those who want to be saved but can’t be baptized? I have to leave them to God and beg Him to be merciful. Fair or unfair? His ways are not like mine, his thoughts are not like mine; There is a way that seems right to man but the end of it is death; We are all judged by the written word (all scriptural teachings). To speculate what God would do in any circumstance that is not clearly taught by the Word, to me would fall under “foolish questions,” or going beyond the Word. My job is to believe and obey, grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ, live righteously, and to teach others to do the same, before they get to the deathbed. This Old Testament story has always seemed a little unfair to me, even though I know God had commanded that no one should touch the ark. II Sam 6:6-8 “When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. The LORD's anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down and he died there beside the ark of God. Then David was angry because the LORD's wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah.” “Consider the goodness and severity [extreme strictness] of God.” (Romans 11:22) J. Elkins |