Ephesians 1:7

A deeper understanding of grace:

Salvation by grace is an undisputable fact.What are the conditions, though?How do we receive God’s grace?Do we have any responsibilities?

Specifically: What part does baptism play in the plan of grace?

Will God save a person without baptism?Can the two work together?

Defining GraceDefining Grace

Old Testament idea: “Favor” or the Old Testament idea: “Favor” or the “Attractiveness” of God.“Attractiveness” of God.

Word is used of God’s provision.Word is used of God’s provision.

New Testament:

Fills the word with a richness unique to Christianity.

Carries the understanding of the giving of help through divine generosity. “For God so loved…”

As such: “Grace to you and peace” becomes a frequent greeting in the New Testament.

Grace in the Scheme of Redemption

Works and deeds cannot merit salvation. God does not PAY OUR WAGES.

Acts 15:10-11 -- Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."

Galatians 1:6 -- I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—

Paul confronted legalism – adding conditions for salvation to the gospel of freedom.

Galatians 3:3 -- Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?

Galatians 5:4 -- You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

Salvation does not come through works.Salvation does not come through keeping law.Salvation does not come through human effort.

Yet, each of these is a response to grace.

Salvation comes only through God’s grace:

Romans 3:23 -- …for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Romans 11:5-6 -- So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

No longer by works. Grace cannot be grace if it can be earned.

God does the choosing through the gospel.

Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-9 -- But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved…. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

Justification comes by grace

Titus 3:5-7 -- he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

It is called the “Gospel of God’s Grace”

Acts 20:24, 32 -- However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

vs. 32 -- Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Baptism and Grace

Colossians 1:6 -- All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.

Understanding God’s grace in all its truth? God’s grace is united with the word. Obedience to the word brings God’s grace.

True Grace vs. Their version

Why not baptism?

Their version: Pray for Jesus to come into your heart.

The Bible version: repent and be baptized every one of you…

Why is theirs NOT a work but baptism IS?

Which of these following require some human effort, without which salvation can’t happen?

Hearing the gospel.Believing the gospel.Repenting of sins.Confessing the name of Jesus as Lord.Baptism for remission of sins.

Each of these involve human effort – but are not works to merit salvation. They are obedience to the gospel.

Salvation requires contacting the blood of Jesus. When does that happen?

Ephesians 1:7 -- In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.

1 John 5:5-6 -- Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.

Why “water and blood” – not just one but BOTH.

What is this water? Can it be anything besides the water of baptism?