Scripture Reading: Romans 10:8-13
"In" Christ
Intro.
1. To be “in Christ” means to “know” Christ, 1 Jno 2:3-5.
2. Therefore, one cannot know Christ unless he is “in” Christ.
3. en: “a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality…i.e. a relation of rest” (Thayer).
4. Free gift of eternal life is “in” (en) Christ, Rom 6:23.
5. It is imperative that we fully understand and believe what the NT teaches about being “in” Christ. Otherwise, false teaching, false confidence and false hope will deceive many.
a. False doctrine of salvation by “faith only”.
b. False confidence in denominational expressions of faith.
c. False hope in heaven without being “in Christ”.
I. SPIRITUAL BENEFITS ARE ONLY OBTAINED “IN CHRIST”.
(This explains why it is essential to be “in Christ”)
-New creature (creation), 2 Cor 5:17
-Every spiritual blessing, Eph 1:3
-Redemption/forgiveness of sins, Eph 1:7; Rom 3:24
-No condemnation, Rom 8:1
-Sanctified, 1 Cor 1:2
-Promises of God, 2 Cor 1:20
-Righteousness, 2 Cor 5:21 (Phil 3:9-10)
-Truth, Eph 4:21
-Grace, 2 Tim 2:1 (1:9)
II. WHO IS IN CHRIST AND WHO IS OUT OF CHRIST?
|
IN CHRIST |
OUT OF CHRIST |
|
Christian, Acts 11:26 |
Without Christ, Eph 2:12 |
|
Child of God, Gal 3:26 |
Child of disobedience, Eph 2:2 |
|
Walk acc. to the Spirit, Rom 8:1 |
Walk acc. to the flesh, Rom 8:1 |
|
Near God, Eph 2:13 |
Far from God, Eph 2:13 |
|
Child of light, Eph 5:8 |
Child of darkness, Eph 5:8 |
|
Cleansed from sin, 1 Cor 6:11 |
Defiled in sin, Titus 1:15 |
|
Redeemed from sin, Eph 1:7 |
In bondage to sin, Rom 6:17 |
|
Saved from wrath, Rom 5:9 |
Lost and under wrath, Rom 6:23 |
* There is no comfort of salvation and no hope of heaven outside of Christ!
III. HOW DOES A PERSON GET INTO CHRIST?
A. Called by the Gospel, 1 Cor 1:9.
-Message preached saves those who believe, 1 Cor 1:21; Lk 24:47.
B. Call upon the Name of the Lord, Rom 10:8-13.
1. Appeal to His power and authority – to save you from your sins in accord with His word.
2. This call results from genuine faith, produced by hearing the word of God, Rom 10:14-17.
3. This means obeying the word of God to obtain His blessing of salvation:
a. Acts 2:37-41: Repent and be baptized…those who received his word were saved!
b. Acts 22:16: Be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
C. Water Baptism Puts the Sinner “into Christ”:
1. Matt 28:18-19: eis: “A primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.)" (Strong's Greek Dict.).
2. Gal 3:26-27 (eis): Baptized into Christ…put on Christ.
3. Water baptism is the unique surrender of self and obedience to the Lord that obtains a position of forgiveness of past sins and fellowship with Jesus Christ, cf. 1 Jno 2:3-5.
Conclusion
1. Outside of Christ: Without Christ, disobedient, live in the flesh, far from God, darkness, defilement, bondage, lost.
2. In Christ: Christian, child of God, live acc. to the Spirit, near God, child of light, cleansed, redeemed, saved from wrath.
3. Salvation is conditional upon hearing, believing and obeying the gospel of Christ.
4. Be baptized to be saved and come into fellowship with Jesus Christ (Gal 3:27).