2 Cor 5:17-21
17
(NKJV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new
creation; old things have passed away; behold,
all things have become new. 18 Now all things
are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself
through Jesus Christ, and has given us the
ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God
was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself,
not imputing their trespasses to them, and has
committed to us the word of reconciliation.
2 Cor 5:17-21
20
(NKJV)
Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as
though God were pleading through us: we
implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to
God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be
sin for us, that we might become the
righteousness of God in Him.
2 Cor. 5.17-21
 Did you notice how many times
the expression “in Christ” or “in
Him” were mentioned?
 In the KJV NT the terms:
 “in Christ” – 77 times
 “in the Lord” – 46 times
 “in Him” – 70 times
 “in Jesus” – 7 times
 What does it mean to be “in Christ” and
what blessings are found “in Christ”?
 Can we receive forgiveness, salvation,
reconciliation, the grace of God, and the
hope of eternal life outside Christ?
 What role do faith, repentance, baptism,
and obedience have in salvation according
to the gospel?
A BASIC PRINCIPLE
GOD OFTEN PLACES
BLESSINGS IN A
SPECIFIC PLACE
NOAH’S ARK
Genesis 6.17-20
Genesis 7.23
HOUSES MARKED BY THE BLOOD OF
THE PASSOVER LAMB
Exodus 12.7,12,13,22,23
CITIES OF REFUGE
Numbers 35.9-11, 26-28
RAHAB’S HOUSE
Joshua 2.18,19; 6.17
WHAT DOES IT
MEAN TO BE
“IN CHRIST”?
John 15 says we must “abide
in Christ” (John 15. 4, 5, 6, 7)
 One person is in another when
they have a harmonious spiritual
union or fellowship with one
another.
 The Father & Son are “in” one
another (John 14.10,11)
 Christians are in the Father & the
Son, and the Father & Son are in us
(John 14.20-23)
 The Holy Spirit is in Christians
(1 Corinthians 6.19)
Thus – for us to be “in
Christ” means to be in a
close, harmonious
spiritual relation with
Him.
WHAT BLESSINGS
ARE FOUND
IN CHRIST?
 Reconciliation, redemption, &
forgiveness of sins in Christ….
….but alienation from God &
Christ (Eph. 2.12-17)
 New creatures in Christ....
….but still the old man of sin
outside Christ
(Rom. 6.11; 2 Cor. 5.17)
 Freedom from condemnation in
Christ….
….but condemnation of sin
outside Christ
(Rom. 8.1; Jn. 15.6)
 Salvation from sin in Christ….
…but no salvation outside
Christ (2 Tim. 2.10; Ac. 4.12)
 Eternal life in Christ…
….but eternal death outside
Christ (1 Jn. 5.11-12)
 All spiritual blessings in Christ….
….but separation from these
blessings outside Christ (Eph. 1.3)
HOW DO WE OBTAIN
THESE BLESSINGS IN
CHRIST?
 In order for one to be in a place (or
relationship) there must be some
point in life in which he comes into
that place (or relationship)
 A person takes several steps toward
Christ, but there is ONE STEP that
puts him into Christ
 After coming into Christ, one
must then ABIDE in Christ
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John 15.1-6
Philippians 4.1
Colossians 2.6-7
1 Peter 3.16
1 Corinthians 15.58
1 John 2.3-6
Revelation 14.13
WHERE ARE YOU
IN RELATIONSHIP
TO CHRIST????