ARE YOU IN CHRIST?
The Bible associates salvation with numerous things – redemption (1 Cor. 1:30), sanctification (1 Cor. 1:30), forgiveness of sins (Eph. 1:7), eternal life (Rom. 6:23) and being in Christ.
That importance is the latter is repeatedly stressed in the scriptures.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ" (Eph. 1:3). Only those in Christ possess these spiritual blessings.
"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Cor. 5:17). Only those that are in Christ are truly a new creation.
"Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus..." (2 Tim 2:10). Only those that are in Christ have obtained salvation.
"And this is the testimony, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son" (1 Jn. 5:11). Only those that are in Christ possess eternal life.
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Most of the religious people with whom I have conversed agree with these points. However, when I ask them what the Bible tells us to do to get into Christ, many of them are stumped. Moreover, some of them are truly amazed when shown what the Bible says. “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” (Rom 6:3) "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Gal. 3:27)
According to the Bible, baptism is the only way to get into Christ. A person can search from the front to the back of the Bible, but will find no other way. Why is it, then, that many religious groups underrate or minimize the importance or need for baptism?
Moreover, some religious groups appear to have a “love/hate” relationship with baptism. Although they may practice it in some form, they minimize its importance, assuming that any emphasis on baptism is tantamount to believing in salvation by works. But baptism is NOT a work. Think about it - If you've been baptized, how much WORK did YOU DO when you were immersed in water?
Ironically, most of the religious groups that minimize baptism insist that repentance and confession are necessary for salvation, despite the fact that changing and speaking do require work. Why is that?
Desiring to be in Christ, I was baptized into Christ years ago. Are you in Christ?
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis
The Bible associates salvation with numerous things – redemption (1 Cor. 1:30), sanctification (1 Cor. 1:30), forgiveness of sins (Eph. 1:7), eternal life (Rom. 6:23) and being in Christ.
That importance is the latter is repeatedly stressed in the scriptures.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ" (Eph. 1:3). Only those in Christ possess these spiritual blessings.
"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Cor. 5:17). Only those that are in Christ are truly a new creation.
"Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus..." (2 Tim 2:10). Only those that are in Christ have obtained salvation.
"And this is the testimony, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son" (1 Jn. 5:11). Only those that are in Christ possess eternal life.
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Most of the religious people with whom I have conversed agree with these points. However, when I ask them what the Bible tells us to do to get into Christ, many of them are stumped. Moreover, some of them are truly amazed when shown what the Bible says. “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” (Rom 6:3) "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Gal. 3:27)
According to the Bible, baptism is the only way to get into Christ. A person can search from the front to the back of the Bible, but will find no other way. Why is it, then, that many religious groups underrate or minimize the importance or need for baptism?
Moreover, some religious groups appear to have a “love/hate” relationship with baptism. Although they may practice it in some form, they minimize its importance, assuming that any emphasis on baptism is tantamount to believing in salvation by works. But baptism is NOT a work. Think about it - If you've been baptized, how much WORK did YOU DO when you were immersed in water?
Ironically, most of the religious groups that minimize baptism insist that repentance and confession are necessary for salvation, despite the fact that changing and speaking do require work. Why is that?
Desiring to be in Christ, I was baptized into Christ years ago. Are you in Christ?
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis
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