Written by: Robert Pate- posted by H. Richard
This article is probably the most important thing that I have ever learned as a Christian. When I learned the "In Christ" doctrine it made an astounding difference in the way that I viewed the Bible. After I had embraced this doctrine the Bible became alive. Verses that I had never understood before now became crystal clear. It was like I had been in the dark and someone turned on the light. Many of the scriptures that I thought were for me to do, I discovered had already been done for me by Jesus Christ.
The "In Christ" doctrine has freed me from a life of religion, subjectivism, and legalism. The "In Christ " doctrine has given me a life of peace and rest in Christ.
Paul said to the Philippians, "That I might be found in him, not having my own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is of faith in Christ." Philippians 3:9.
How does one get 'In Christ?" All who have accepted (placed their faith in) Christ as their savior are "In Christ." Ephesians 1:12-13 says, "That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise." All who are "In Christ" have been sealed with the Holy Spirit. You can never be unsealed. You can never lose your salvation. If you fall away from Christ you never did have faith in him, you were a counterfeit.
God broke into history in the person of Jesus Christ. He clothed himself in human flesh and became one with us, but not one of us. His mission was to provide salvation for a lost and dying world. He is the new Adam and the representative of the human race. The first Adam brought sin and death upon us. The new Adam (Christ) brings righteousness and eternal life. All that Christ is, and all that he has done was for us. He is God's great gift to humanity.
God in the person of Jesus Christ has come into the world to do for us that which we are not capable of doing for ourselves. He did not come into the world to show us the way; he came into the world to be the way. By his sinless life he has offered everything to the Godhead that the law requires. By his death on the cross he has atoned for the sins of the world and has defeated the devil.
Paul said in Romans the 6th chapter, v.6 "Knowing this that our old man (Adam) is crucified with Christ. V.3, Know you not that so many of us were baptized into Christ were baptized into his death. V.4, That as Christ was raised from the dead even so we should walk in newness of life. V. 8, Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him."
This is an excellent picture of being "IN Christ" Crucified with Christ., dying with Christ, raised with Christ, living with Christ. This has nothing to do with water baptism. This is the operation of God in Jesus Christ.
Colossians 3:1-4 "If you have been risen with Christ seek those things which are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God. Set you affections on things above, not on things of the earth. For you are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall you appear with him in glory."
What are the benefits of embracing the "In Christ" doctrine?
1. The "In Christ" doctrine is a death blow to religion, subjectivism, and legalism. Christ has done it all. God accepts the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are accepted only in him.
2. This means that we can remain sinners and still be saved. We don't have to be good enough. Christ was good enough for us.
3. It means that we don't have to do good works, rituals like baptism, to go to heaven. Christ has done all of the good works for us, including baptism.
4. It means that we don't have to practice holiness, speaking in tongues, miracles, revelations, etc. We are already holy "In Christ."
5. It means that "In Christ" we have been justified, sanctified and redeemed, 1st Corinthians 1:30.
6. It means that by faith we can rest in the finished work of Christ.
This article is probably the most important thing that I have ever learned as a Christian. When I learned the "In Christ" doctrine it made an astounding difference in the way that I viewed the Bible. After I had embraced this doctrine the Bible became alive. Verses that I had never understood before now became crystal clear. It was like I had been in the dark and someone turned on the light. Many of the scriptures that I thought were for me to do, I discovered had already been done for me by Jesus Christ.
The "In Christ" doctrine has freed me from a life of religion, subjectivism, and legalism. The "In Christ " doctrine has given me a life of peace and rest in Christ.
Paul said to the Philippians, "That I might be found in him, not having my own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is of faith in Christ." Philippians 3:9.
How does one get 'In Christ?" All who have accepted (placed their faith in) Christ as their savior are "In Christ." Ephesians 1:12-13 says, "That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise." All who are "In Christ" have been sealed with the Holy Spirit. You can never be unsealed. You can never lose your salvation. If you fall away from Christ you never did have faith in him, you were a counterfeit.
God broke into history in the person of Jesus Christ. He clothed himself in human flesh and became one with us, but not one of us. His mission was to provide salvation for a lost and dying world. He is the new Adam and the representative of the human race. The first Adam brought sin and death upon us. The new Adam (Christ) brings righteousness and eternal life. All that Christ is, and all that he has done was for us. He is God's great gift to humanity.
God in the person of Jesus Christ has come into the world to do for us that which we are not capable of doing for ourselves. He did not come into the world to show us the way; he came into the world to be the way. By his sinless life he has offered everything to the Godhead that the law requires. By his death on the cross he has atoned for the sins of the world and has defeated the devil.
Paul said in Romans the 6th chapter, v.6 "Knowing this that our old man (Adam) is crucified with Christ. V.3, Know you not that so many of us were baptized into Christ were baptized into his death. V.4, That as Christ was raised from the dead even so we should walk in newness of life. V. 8, Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him."
This is an excellent picture of being "IN Christ" Crucified with Christ., dying with Christ, raised with Christ, living with Christ. This has nothing to do with water baptism. This is the operation of God in Jesus Christ.
Colossians 3:1-4 "If you have been risen with Christ seek those things which are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God. Set you affections on things above, not on things of the earth. For you are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall you appear with him in glory."
What are the benefits of embracing the "In Christ" doctrine?
1. The "In Christ" doctrine is a death blow to religion, subjectivism, and legalism. Christ has done it all. God accepts the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are accepted only in him.
2. This means that we can remain sinners and still be saved. We don't have to be good enough. Christ was good enough for us.
3. It means that we don't have to do good works, rituals like baptism, to go to heaven. Christ has done all of the good works for us, including baptism.
4. It means that we don't have to practice holiness, speaking in tongues, miracles, revelations, etc. We are already holy "In Christ."
5. It means that "In Christ" we have been justified, sanctified and redeemed, 1st Corinthians 1:30.
6. It means that by faith we can rest in the finished work of Christ.
