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NASB | Colossians 2:12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Colossians 2:12 having been buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him [to a new life] through [your] faith in the working of God, [as displayed] when He raised Christ from the dead. |
Bible Question:
This is a cross reference from Romans 6:4. Now in Romans chapter 6 he is talking about sanctification. Here in Colossians chapter two, Paul doesn't appear to be when you look at this verse and include up to verse 14. My hunch is that baptism doesn't provide justification, but this verse does seem to point at justification. Secondly, how can you tell when the word baptism means "with water", and when it means "with the Holy Spirit". I appreciate all views on this, whether you agree with me or not. Regards, Huron |
Bible Answer: Greetings Huron! Here is what the Bible Knowledge Commentary says about Col. 2:11-12: ************************************* Paul turned from the theological errors of the false teachers to their practical errors—from “Gnosticism” to legalism. The Gentile Christians in Colosse had no need to conform to Jewish rules and regulations, such as circumcision. For in Christ they had been circumcised. This spiritual “circumcision” was done by Christ, not by man. It was in fact a crucifixion or putting off of the body, a circumcision of the heart (cf. Rom. 2:29; Eph. 2:11). Their sinful nature (lit., “the body of the flesh”; cf., lit., “the mind of the flesh,” Col. 2:18) was decisively put off by Christ’s death and resurrection. What people were in Adam—sinful, fallen, and corrupt—was destroyed by Christ. Now “in Christ” a believer is a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). And having a new Head a believer has a new authority for his life—not the Law of Moses but the life of Christ. The words putting off are from the noun apekdysei (“total breaking away from”), which occurs only here in the New Testament. This putting off of the old life occurs at the moment of salvation, when a believer is buried with Christ in baptism by the Spirit (cf. 1 Cor. 12:13) and is raised with Him to new life. This co-burial and co-resurrection is pictured in baptism. In water baptism, immersion portrays burial with Christ, and coming out of the water depicts the resurrection by the power of God to “live a new life” (Rom. 6:4). *********************************** Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |