What does 'if ye continue in the faith' mean in Col.1:23?

What does 'if ye continue in the faith' mean in Col.1:23?

A lot of people read the verse below and think that it means they can lose their salvation, or more specifically, their reconciliation with God, which is specified in verse 22. Let's take a look at what this passage of scripture is saying.

Col 1:21  And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he RECONCILED  (22)  In the body of his flesh through death, TO PRESENT YOU holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:  (23)  IF YE CONTINUE IN THE FAITH grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;  ...  (28)  Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may PRESENT every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

Note: I have capped certain key words for emphasis. Now, let's work through what Paul wrote and look at the proper context to learn what is really being said here.

"And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he RECONCILED."

Is our gospel the same as that which Jesus and the 12-Apostles taught?

Is our gospel the same as that which Jesus and the 12-Apostles taught?

COMMENT (in response to an article teaching that there is more than one gospel):

Readers, please take a few minutes to read Galatians 1:6-12. It plainly says that there is one Gospel, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Any time more than one Gospel is taught in scripture or by any teacher, by Biblical teachings, it is a different or false interpretation of scripture. Please read Acts 8:36-38, and Acts10:44-47. These Scriptures clearly say Gentiles are being baptized and receiving the Holy Spirit, and there are many more scriptures that describe the same things. Finally read Matthew 28:19-20 The Great Commission: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations (Gentiles) baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. We are commanded to reprove our teachers by what the scriptures actually say to be certain of the truth of our true Teacher, the Holy Spirit.

MY REPLY:

I’d like to point out that you conveniently use Paul’s writings to prove only one gospel, but then you send the read back to all the references of the Kingdom gospel which is for Israel, and completely discount all the rest of Paul's writings that clearly define his credentials as the apostle of the Gentiles, and who received a new gospel and mystery doctrine, revealed to him by the risen Christ.

An instrument of reconciliation in the hands of God

An instrument of reconciliation in the hands of God

2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; … 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Reading through this passage recently, it just struck me anew at how plain and simple our faith and standing is with God.

All things are of God. God has the supreme authority to choose and declare His will upon mankind. Who are we to resist or challenge it! Who are we, being the clay, to voice out what we think the Potter must do to save us, and how! It is God, who in His administration, chose to reconcile us to Himself, by the sole means of His Son, Jesus Christ, so that the Son alone may be honoured with all glory and power.

If Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles, why were the 12-apostles also told to go to all nations?

If Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles, why were the 12-apostles also told to go to all nations?

Mat.28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

It is true that the Jewish commission was to go to all nations, but a very important point to make is that this was to happen only AFTER the nation of Israel itself had been saved. If one looks at the verses on the commission, there is an order of precedence,

Luk.24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Act.1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Christian Living in Lockdown

Christian Living in Lockdown

See video of this article here.

The Big Picture (TBP) is all about understanding God's 'segmented' PLAN of redemption. It's about understanding how God has revealed Himself in the different stages of this PLAN, and what He expects of the people living in these stages of His PLAN. It is therefore important for us to know where we are positioned in this PLAN in order to determine how God is working today, and what He is expecting of us today!

OBS: ACTS - The Transition (Part 2 - The Great Commission and Water Baptism)

OBS: ACTS, The Transition (Part 2) The focus is not so much on studying Acts, as it is on using the book to teach us about dispensation truths.

Acts 1:2 ... until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: ...

See the video lesson of this study here.

The Great Commission and Baptism