Complete in Him (Colossians 2:9-13)

Part 2

In the first part of this sermon we looked at the fact that man is incomplete as a result of sin. Jesus Christ is the answer for this problem and through salvation by grace through faith we can see that the only way to be complete is “in Him”. In this sermon we will look at three things that happen to us when we receive Jesus Christ as our savior and the doctrinal implications for having eternal security as a result of these things. Then we will understand how we truly are complete in him.

3 Things that are the result of Salvation:

1)  Spiritual Baptism (verse 12)

• Jesus had been promised to baptize us with the Holy Ghost (Matthew 3:11) but this could not be fulfilled until his resurrection (John 7:37-39).
• In the Church Age the Holy Ghost then baptizes us into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12-13 ; Galatians 3:26-29)
• This process is what places us into the body of Christ. This is a spiritual process not a physical process therefore it has nothing to do with physical baptism.

2) Spiritual Resurrection (verse 12,13)

• To spiritually be in the body of Christ will require a resurrection as spoken of in this passage. This is why water baptism is a figure (1 Peter 3:21) of Spiritual Baptism, it shows the death, burial, and resurrection.
• The passage says we are dead in sins. This matches Ephesians 2:1. But then note in Ephesians 2:6 how we are said to be seated in heavenly places right now.
• Therefore we are spiritually resurrected and spiritually in the body of Christ right now.

3)  Spiritual Circumcision (verse 11)

• Man has a body, soul, and a spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Before salvation the body and soul are stuck together. Note Leviticus 5:1-4 and what is said regarding the soul.
• In this passage, the circumcision done by God (not by hands) is said to put off the body of the sins of the flesh. Well we did not put off our bodies when we got saved so what does this mean?
• God divided between the Soul and the flesh (body). Illustrate with Gingerbread man. This is why after salvation you are said to have a new man and an old man (Ephesians 4:20-24).
• Now there is another process connected with these but not mentioned in the passage. It is being sealed by the Holy Ghost (Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30). Note how the Holy Spirit is given to us as earnest, Once again showing us eternal security.
• Spiritual circumcision then separates between the soul and our flesh and the Holy Spirit seals our soul until the day of Redemption. Therefore the sin that we do in the flesh does not affect our soul.

With these things being accomplished we are both complete and eternally secure!!!