In studying the bible with an old friend of mine, he said, “Salvation is a gift of God, and there’s nothing we can do to earn it, including baptism!” He then used Ephesians 2:8-9 as support. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Wouldn’t almost any religiously-minded person agree that “for by grace are ye saved through faith?” Certainly! But unfortunately, this is a complete distortion of the context, and a blatant misapplication of this passage. Many good and sincere people inadvertently pull scriptures out of context (like the verse above), and try to make it mean something other than what it really teaches. I don’t believe they do this maliciously, but rather it is done in the absence of understanding on the respective subject.
What is Paul talking about in Ephesians 2:8-9? It becomes very clear if it is studied in context, with the entire chapter. First, what is Paul teaching in this chapter, and what was the issue at the church at Ephesus? Here in chapter 2, it is evident that the Jewish Christians had been telling the Gentile Christians that they must incorporate parts of the Mosaical Law to their newly found faith in Christ.
It becomes even more clear that Paul is speaking to these two groups (Jewish and Gentile Christians), and makes a great effort, via divine inspiration, to show them that they are now unified in Christ, because the dividing wall of Mosaical Law has been abolished. In verse 10, Paul says that we (Christians) are his workman created in Christ Jesus unto good works (bookmark this in your mind, because we’ll revisit this statement later).
In verse 11, he discusses the Jewish law of circumcision of the flesh; verse 12, he addresses the Gentiles who were once “aliens to God and without hope” (meaning non-Jewish, and not in obedience unto God through Mosaical Law); in 14 he reminds them that Christ broke down the “middle wall of partition”, which was the former Mosaical Law that separated the righteous from the unrighteous, and the children of God (faithful Jews) from those who did not know God (those outside of the Law).
Now notice verse 15: “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;” (Eph. 2:15, KJV). Jesus Christ abolished the former Law of Moses that once separated, bringing in a new age in which all men, regardless of ethnicity, could unite in Christ and thus enjoy religious peace and unity. Paul says something compelling in verse 16, “And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.” Jesus “reconciled” both (Jews and Gentiles) unto God, in one body (He is the head of the body, the church, Colossians 1:18) by the cross! Doesn’t this remind you of Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 isn’t teaching that baptism is NOT a part of salvation, nor is it teaching that baptism is a “work” to be ignored and rejected. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast (Eph. 2:8-9).” Not of works (circumcision of the flesh, former Jewish Laws, or WORKS of the Law), lest any man should boast. Who was it that did the boasting? The answer is found in Romans 2:17, “Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God.”
Here’s the ironic part of this study…when are we a new creation in Christ Jesus? Didn’t this same Apostle Paul write to another group of Jewish Christians and say, “For ye are all (Jews and Gentiles) the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26-28, KJV).” Look at the use of Paul’s grammar…for as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Now apply the negative…for as many of you as have NOT been baptized into Christ have NOT put on Christ.
Use your head…the Apostle Paul wouldn’t state the imperative application of baptism in multiple areas, only to deny and discredit the very same imperative to those at Ephesus. If baptism was a work to be rejected, Paul would have identified it as a work and would have rejected it accordingly. I invite you to see the next article, Part II, which completes this study – I’m excited to be able to share it with you.
Michael J. Shank is a full-time Pulpit Minister, Bible Instructor, and Author. His church’s website can be found at http://www.metropoliscoc.com, and his site contains “eye-opening” content that is designed to reveal the first century church of the Bible, as well as providing a host of multi-media content designed to make the Way clear to anyone with an honest heart! If you want to find out how to become a true, first century Christian, investigate his topics. If you wonder why there are so many churches today, take a look at his video found on his site!
Lynn Marzulli discusses Aliens and Bible
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2012 and the Arrival of Planet X
$6.95 WILL OUR PLANET COLLIDE IN SPACE WITH AN UNKNOWN BODY?WHAT DOES BIBLICAL PROPHECY SAY?IS THERE A CONNECTION WITH THE MAYAN 'END TIMES' CALENDAR OF 2012?This book tackles the question: Is a "wandering planet" headed toward Earth, and what kind of damage can it do to the various life forms that populate our world?Will we soon be facing a real life "Worlds In Collision" that could be a thousand times... |
