Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace [God's remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; |
Bible Question:
In John 3 Jesus is talking to Nicodemus could someone explain to me what going on here. I just want someone elses opion to see if it matches mine. A Jesus only friend says that this passage is saying that the only way you can be saved is by baptized in Jesus name and speak in tounges, and they use this chapter as an example also they use the book of Acts alot. I don't think that is true. Thanks and God bless in advance. Dab |
Bible Answer: Greetings Dab; John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God John 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again In the above portion of Scripture, Jesus is speaking to a man named Nicodemus about a new BIRTH. Some people believe that this text is referring to baptism, Their belief stems from the fact that the word "water" is used in verse 5. However the term baptism is never mentioned in these verses. What is being spoken of is a BIRTH. It is my opinion that if Jesus meant "baptism" then He would have said so. But because He didn't, I believe that the simple reading would be to understand the word "born" in these verses to mean BIRTH (spiritual birth). Each of us is born into this world as being physically alive, but spiritually dead. Each of us need to be reborn spiritually. The new birth comes from above, from God. Only God can raise those who are dead spiritually to new life. A spiritual corpse has no power to raise itself from the dead. The power has to come from God. Blessings New Creature |