Colossians 2:12

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

[This happened when you were] buried with Christ in [the act of] immersion, from which you were also raised up with Him through [your] faith in the accomplishment of God, who raised Him up from the dead.

Cross References

1 Peter 3:21

This water prefigured immersion [into Christ], which now also saves you, not by removing dirt from the [physical] body, but [by serving] as an appeal [or, “pledge”] to God for a clear conscience through the raising of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Galatians 3:27

For all of you who were immersed into [a relationship with] Christ have been clothed with Him [i.e., His life].

Acts 2:24

But God raised Him up, having released Him from the sharp pains [He experienced when dying], because it was not possible that He could be held in death’s grip.

Ephesians 3:17

so that Christ will live in your hearts through faith. [I pray] that you will be rooted and grounded in [your] love,

Romans 4:24

but they were written for our sake also, who will be considered righteous by God for believing in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

Ephesians 4:5

[There is] one Lord [i.e., Jesus], one faith [i.e., one body of teaching], one immersion [i.e., in water for the forgiveness of sins],

Ephesians 2:8

For you have been saved by God’s unearned favor, through [your] faith, and that [salvation] was not the result of your own doing; it was the gift from God.

1 Corinthians 15:20

But now Christ has been raised up from the dead; [He is] the first fruits of those who have died. [Note: By “first fruits” is meant the first installment of the crop which promises the entire harvest eventually].

Hebrews 12:2

We should fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and completer of the [or, “our”] faith. [Note: Jesus is here pictured as the one who completely fulfills the life of faith, or who provides us with the ability to live such a life]. [And] because He could look forward to joy, He endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right side of God’s throne.

Hebrews 6:2

and of teaching about immersions [Note: The use of the plural word here suggests teaching on the distinctions between Jewish washings and John’s and Christian immersion, whether in water or the Holy Spirit. See Acts 19:1-7], and about placing hands on people [Note: This act was practiced in the appointment of church leaders, in healing sick people and to impart supernatural gifts], and about people being raised from the dead and about never ending judgment.

Philippians 1:29

Because God has granted you [the privilege], on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.

Ephesians 5:14

So, it says, “You who are asleep, wake up and rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you [i.e., illuminate you].” [Note: The foregoing words may have been an early saying, used at someone’s immersion, which included the ideas of “rising up” (See Col. 2:12) and “illumination” (See Heb. 6:4) ].

Ephesians 3:7

I was made a minister [of the Gospel] according to the gift of God’s unearned favor, which was given to me according to the working of His power.

1 Corinthians 12:13

For we were all immersed by means of the one Holy Spirit into one body [i.e., the church], whether [we were] Jews or Greeks [i.e., Gentiles], whether slaves or free people, and were all given the one [and the same] Holy Spirit to drink. [Note: This probably refers to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, given to all immersed believers. See John 7:37-39; Acts 2:38].

Romans 7:4

Therefore, my brothers, you also died to the law [i.e., were released from its binding requirements] through the body of Christ [Note: This seems to refer to Christ’s death on the cross, but some think it refers to becoming a part of the church], so that you could belong to someone else, [namely] to Christ, who was raised from the dead in order that we might live spiritually productive lives for God.

Acts 14:27

And when they arrived [in Antioch of Syria], they gathered the church together and reported everything that God had done through them and how He had opened a door [of opportunity] for the [unconverted] Gentiles to [enter] the faith.

Luke 17:5

Then the apostles said to the Lord, “Give us more faith.”

Acts 2:32

So, God raised this Jesus up [from the dead] and we [apostles] are all witnesses [of it].

Colossians 1:29

This is the reason that I work hard and struggle also, using God’s mighty power which is at work in me.

Colossians 2:13

And when you were [spiritually] dead because of your sins and your lack of being physically circumcised [Note: This refers to their having been unconverted Gentiles and therefore outside of a relationship with God], God made you alive [again] together with Christ, having forgiven us for all of our sins.