There are other prophets, but only Jesus Christ was foretold
hundreds and thousands of years before he came to earth. Only the Son of
God created all things (COL 1:16). Only the one that called himself
"The son of man" lived a perfect life and died to forgive the sins of
believers. Only Jesus gives abundant life. This article may be published
if the resource box is left intact.
The term "In Christ" is used 89 times in the New Testament, which shows the importance of being in him. From Romans 6:11 to First Peter 5:14, we are bombarded with "In Christ." It appears in almost every chapter, usually several times. If we glance at a couple of books, it will show how often the term is used. In the book of Ephesians it occurs nine times. In the book of Colossians, it occurs six times.
Many consider Christ a great man but nothing more. Men put others equal to or greater than Christ, but examination of the passages about Christ shows he alone can lead us to the Father. Jesus emphatically stated "If you do not believe I am the one I claim to be, you will die in your sins." (JN 8:24) "I am the gate; whoever enters through me, will be saved" (JN 10:9). Anyone who does not believe him is condemned. (JN 3:18) Salvation is in Christ (2TI 2:10). There is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12) We must have faith in Christ to be saved. (2TI 3:15). In the light of such plain passages, how can anyone depend on any other for salvation?
The two words, "In Christ" encompass the entire scope of Christianity. It is the place to be if you want to be saved. Paul used them for every aspect of salvation. To mention them in association with someone is to signify that person is in a saved condition. If a deceased person is in Christ, his or her soul is already in the presence of God.
All spiritual blessings are in Christ (EPH 1:3). There are none outside him. It is not enough to attend church, to believe that Christ is the son of God and to trust him to save you. You must be in him. What then, does it mean to be in Christ? To have any spiritual benefits we must be members of his body, (EPH 5:30; RO 12:5), which is his church (COL 1:18:), and of which he is the head (EPH 1:22).
We inherit eternal life from Christ. A will is not in effect until the testator has died. (HEB 9:15-17). We must comply with the terms in the New Testament, his last will. This includes believing in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31), calling on his name (RO 10:13), repenting and being baptized (Acts 2:38). Baptism is the final step that puts us into Christ (RO 6:3).
If you are in Christ, you are in the kingdom. Paul declared that he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the son he loves (C0L 1:13). Being in Christ, being saved, in the body, the church and the kingdom are the same.
You might think you can be saved outside of the church. If that were the case then Christ purchased the church with his own blood (Acts 20:28) for nothing. Do you think God would have sent his son to a horrendous death if the church was not necessary for your salvation? If so, what does that make God? Could you trust a God that caused his son to die for nothing?
Words cannot do justice to the subject of being in Christ. The entire scope of God's plan for mankind is wrapped up in Christ. The gift of God is eternal life in Christ. (RO 6:23) All of the promises of God are yes in Christ (2CO 1:20). The death of Christ was the most important event in history. The salvation of all people from the beginning of time until he comes again depend on this event.
The term "In Christ" is used 89 times in the New Testament, which shows the importance of being in him. From Romans 6:11 to First Peter 5:14, we are bombarded with "In Christ." It appears in almost every chapter, usually several times. If we glance at a couple of books, it will show how often the term is used. In the book of Ephesians it occurs nine times. In the book of Colossians, it occurs six times.
Many consider Christ a great man but nothing more. Men put others equal to or greater than Christ, but examination of the passages about Christ shows he alone can lead us to the Father. Jesus emphatically stated "If you do not believe I am the one I claim to be, you will die in your sins." (JN 8:24) "I am the gate; whoever enters through me, will be saved" (JN 10:9). Anyone who does not believe him is condemned. (JN 3:18) Salvation is in Christ (2TI 2:10). There is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12) We must have faith in Christ to be saved. (2TI 3:15). In the light of such plain passages, how can anyone depend on any other for salvation?
The two words, "In Christ" encompass the entire scope of Christianity. It is the place to be if you want to be saved. Paul used them for every aspect of salvation. To mention them in association with someone is to signify that person is in a saved condition. If a deceased person is in Christ, his or her soul is already in the presence of God.
All spiritual blessings are in Christ (EPH 1:3). There are none outside him. It is not enough to attend church, to believe that Christ is the son of God and to trust him to save you. You must be in him. What then, does it mean to be in Christ? To have any spiritual benefits we must be members of his body, (EPH 5:30; RO 12:5), which is his church (COL 1:18:), and of which he is the head (EPH 1:22).
We inherit eternal life from Christ. A will is not in effect until the testator has died. (HEB 9:15-17). We must comply with the terms in the New Testament, his last will. This includes believing in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31), calling on his name (RO 10:13), repenting and being baptized (Acts 2:38). Baptism is the final step that puts us into Christ (RO 6:3).
If you are in Christ, you are in the kingdom. Paul declared that he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the son he loves (C0L 1:13). Being in Christ, being saved, in the body, the church and the kingdom are the same.
You might think you can be saved outside of the church. If that were the case then Christ purchased the church with his own blood (Acts 20:28) for nothing. Do you think God would have sent his son to a horrendous death if the church was not necessary for your salvation? If so, what does that make God? Could you trust a God that caused his son to die for nothing?
Words cannot do justice to the subject of being in Christ. The entire scope of God's plan for mankind is wrapped up in Christ. The gift of God is eternal life in Christ. (RO 6:23) All of the promises of God are yes in Christ (2CO 1:20). The death of Christ was the most important event in history. The salvation of all people from the beginning of time until he comes again depend on this event.
Who is this Jesus? Who is the Holy Spirit? How do they fit in
with the God of heaven? Get acquainted with the Godhead and develop an
unshakable faith. Go on to spiritual maturity and live life to the full.
Soar with God and have the peace that passes understanding. Learn more
at: http://thelynnbradleybook.com.
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