Ephesians 2:1 And you has he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; This the peculiar characteristic of the preaching of Christianity in the first age. It came into a world preoccupied by other systems of religion, Jewish and Gentile, and succeeded where they had failed. The secret of its success is the same today — vital power. I. UPON WHOM IS IT EXERTED? 1. The spiritually dead. 2. The bondslaves of Satan. 3. The subjects of Divine wrath. II. THROUGH WHOM DOES IT OPERATE? Christ, the manifested Son of God, is the Alpha and Omega of its proclamations. 1. Through faith men are united to Him. 2. Share in His resurrection. III. IN WHOM IS ITS SOURCE? It is God who ordained the means of salvation, sent His Son into the world to die for sinners, and raising Him from the dead raised also all those who were united to Him by faith by a spiritual resurrection, that they might "walk in newness of life." This gracious work is due — 1. To His nature. "Being rich in mercy." 2. To His affection for men. "For His great love wherewith He loved us." (A. F. Muir, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;WEB: You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins, |
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