Salvation

Article 12: Salvation

12-1 Salvation is the work of God1 in which He reconciles fallen men to Himself,2 ultimately removes the consequences of the curse,3 and bestows upon His redeemed Creation4 the riches of His grace, all to His glory.5 12-2 Salvation is offered in the gospel to all men6 and is accomplished in all the elect.7 It is received by grace through faith and the instrumentality of the Holy Spirit,8 apart from works or human merit.9 Salvation centers in a person, Jesus Christ, and receiving Him10 includes the remission of sins on the grounds of His shed blood on the cross,11 the imputation of His perfect righteousness,12 the reception of the Holy Spirit,13 and the impartation of eternal life.14

Reconciliation

Ephesians 2:16 ESV

and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

Paul call on the Ephesians to remember who they were before Christ… before what He achieved on the cross. Paul’s hope is that as they reflect on this, there will be humility and a sense of unity that sets in among the people.

The command in verse 11 is for the Ephesians to remember who they were. They were referenced as the uncircumcision by the Jews, which was meant as a derogatory term. There was animosity between the Jews and the Gentiles… there still was and there still is I suppose.

But in verse 12, Paul continues his exhortation to remember that they were separated from Christ and possessed no hope.

But the radical change that occured in them is referenced in v. 13: But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Skip down to verse 16 and the word reconciliation shows up. The term reconciliation means to establish peace where hostility existed.

In this case, v. 16 is clear: the Jews and Gentiles were reconciled to God in one body through the cross. So Paul’s appeal to the Jews and Gentiles to be reconciled to one another is based upon the fact that they are reconciled to God, and that that reconciliation was granted on the same basis.

And what has been regained here is what was lost as a result of the fall. Peace with God. And peace with God should result in those who have peace with God to be at peace with one another.

So you and I, if we are both in Christ, show the character of the gospel by being at peace with one another.

Colossians 1:20–22 ESV

and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

These 3 verses show up in a discourse about the preeminence of Christ (as you ESV bibles may tell you).

He is the image of the invisible God. John, in his gospel tells us that no one has ever seen God but that Jesus who is at the Father’s side has made Him known. Jesus perfectly reflects that character and life of the Father.. this is what Paul is teaching.

the firstborn of all creation: Jesus, the Son of God holds supreme rank above all else in creation. (title used for Israel, see Ex 4:22.)

Jesus was involved in the creation of the universe and everything is meant to honor Him.

He reigns over the universe and He reigns over His church.

And Jesus, as we see in verse 20

reconciled to Himself all things…. by the blood of His cross - God took upon Himself that which was a barrier between Himself and people, namely, sin.

blood makes clear that death is required by God for sin. The blood of Christ was the final sacrifice for sin.

making peace with God is the description of reconciliation in verse 20.

V. 22: And the Colossians were once alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds. But because of the work of the image of the invisible God, the first born of all creation, He has now reconciled in his body of flesh by His death…

Just like the Ephesians, the people of Colossae, through Christ, were brought back to a proper relationship with God. They were given what was lost… peace with God.

And notice our reconciliation has a purpose, which reflects this realigning of God’s people back to a proper relationship with God. to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before Him.

Here we see the precious treasure we have in our salvation. Those who are saved are holy and blameless and above reproach before God.

Romans 8:35 ESV

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

Nothing can. No one can. Why? Because God has reconciled us to Himself. Because He has saved us. Because we are saved.