Part 3

We have confirmed that "believing" and “baptism” are not works of ourselves whereas we earn our way into heaven. Both are "works of God" and according to His mercy. These works of God that we are commanded to obey are how we are "justified by His grace". (Romans 3:24 and Titus 3:7). We also considered Ephesians 2:7-9 and how it is misused and misinterpreted by the majority. Let us now consider Ephesians 2:9-10 and how this passage is also misinterpreted by the majority…

Ephesians 2:9-10 Not of works, so that no one might boast; For we are his workmanship; Created in Christ Jesus on the basis of good works which God foreordained that we should walk in them.

The majority of Bible translators will substitute the words “for” or “unto” in the place of “on the basis of” implying that we are “created in Christ Jesus” to do good works. While this statement is true, as Paul verifies for us in Romans 7:4, it is not the point of Paul’s teaching in Ephesians 2:10. This poor translation is due to doctrinal bias by those who do not believe we have to obey any commands of God to be saved… particularly those who claim baptism is not required for salvation.

The manuscripts use the Greek word "epi" which actually means "upon" or "on" or "by", and the word "upon" is appropriately phrased as "on the basis of" or even "as a result of". Many people will interpret this Greek word "epi" to mean "in the direction of", "toward", "resulting in", “for” or "unto". The problem with this is there is already a Greek word for "resulting in" and "unto" and that Greek word is "eis". It is used quite frequently in the Bible.

Now let's see how we could paraphrase the difference between the two word meanings using Ephesians 2:10…

Translated incorrectly... "Created in Christ Jesus resulting in good works"…

Translated correctly..."Created in Christ Jesus on the basis of good works"…

The latter translation is based on the manuscripts and would be the correct translation. Using the correct translation we further affirm we are saved on the basis of these good works... which are the "works of God". What Paul is communicating here in this passage is that the works that save us are not works from us, works whereby we earn our way into heaven, works that we can boast of or brag about, or works of the Law…

Romans 3:27-28 Where is the boasting then? It is eliminated. Through what law? The Law of works? No! But through the law of faith. For we conclude that a person is justified by faith without works of the Law.

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that no person is justified out of works of the Law, but through the faith of Jesus Christ, we too have believed in Christ Jesus that we might be justified by the faith of Christ and not out of works of the Law.

These "good works" are “faith, repentance, confession, and baptism (immersion) and are works of God's righteousness, works of faith. God foreordained these specific works that are to be done by everyone that will come to Him through Jesus Christ. Christ is the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. (Hebrews 5:9)

If we could somehow misinterpret Ephesians 2:7-10 to mean that we do not have to obey these works that Jesus taught and commanded, and the apostles taught and preached... then there are some serious contradictions in the Bible. Even Paul would be contradicting his own words because he preached and taught obeying the gospel, which is obedience to the faith, and includes hearing, believing, repentance, confessing, and baptism... as well as faithfulness and perseverance. We clearly know the Bible does not contradict itself.

The works unto salvation are not a matter of boasting and merit, but are simply the obvious submissive responses of a humble believer desiring to be recreated by God in Christ. We must obey the "works of God" to be saved.

__________________
In Christ,
brother Sonnie

Jeremiah 6:16 Thus says the LORD: "Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'