Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION ( ESV ). Romans 8:12-17 read as follows:
"12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!' 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs-heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."
The phrase "adoption as sons," in verse fifteen ( above ), has a cross-reference to Isaiah 56:5: verses four through six read as follows: "4 For thus says the LORD: 'To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant, 5 I will give in my house and within my walls a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off. 6 And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant.'"
Moreover, verse sixteen has a cross-reference to Ephesians 1:13, 14, for example: verses eleven through fourteen read as follows: "11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory." The point at which one is adopted as a son of God ( see the first verse fourteen and, again, verse fifteen ) is the point at which one holds fast the LORD's covenant ( see verses four and six ): this is also the point at which one is "sealed with the promised Holy Spirit" ( see the second verse thirteen ). All of this occurs when one believes in Christ ( see the second verse twelve and, again, verse thirteen ).
What does it mean to believe in Christ ( see Matthew 1:16; John 1:1, 14; 10:30; 14:6; Romans 1:20 ( see Romans 1:20 ( KJV, for example; with center-column references, for example ) to get the equivalent translation for the word "Godhead" ); Colossians 2:8, 9 ( KJV, for example ); and 1 John 5:7 ( KJV, for example ), for example )? Peter ( see Acts 10:34 ) said the following in verse forty-three: "43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." He also said in ( 2:38 ), "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
To believe in Christ is to be baptized, by immersion in water, in His name, for the forgiveness of one's past sins ( see Acts 8:26-40 ( especially verses 36-39, for example; KJV, for example ); Romans 3:21-26 ( especially verse 25, for example; KJV, for example ); 6:1-4 ( especially verses 3 and 4, for example ); and Colossians 2:8-15 ( especially verse 12, for example ), for example ). Therefore, one is adopted as a son of God, holds fast His covenant, and is sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when he or she is baptized into Christ ( see Galatians 3:26, 27, for example ). Please study the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Psalm 119:65-73, 142, and 151; John 17:1, 3, and 17; and 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17, for example ).
If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:
<rewillis1_1@juno.com>
<Russell E. Willis>.
