IN CHRIST IN CHRIST or the equivalent, IN HIM, IN JESUS, IN WHOM, IN THE BELOVED. This is referred to as the monogram of the Apostle Paul. He uses it more than any other writer of the New Testament. In fact he uses it more times than all the other writers put together, not surprising though since he is the inspired writer of the majority of New Testament Books. In Pauls inspired writings He Uses it no less than one hundred and thirty two times. In the first chapter of Eph. we find it fourteen times (K.J.V.). Lets take a couple of minutes and look at Eph.chapter one. 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace [be] to you, and peace, from God our Father, and [from] the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; [even] in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. 15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places], 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1) NO CONDEMNATION (APPROVAL) (Romans 8:1) [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1) BEGOTTEN (NEW BIRTH) (1 Cor. 4:15) For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet [have ye] not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. (1 Corinthians 4:15) NEW CREATURE (2 cor. 517) Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17) CHILDREN OF GOD (NEW BIRTH, NEW CREATURE) (Gal. 3:26,) For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26) REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD - FORGIVENESS OF SINS (Eph. 1:7 and Col. 1:4) In Whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7) SALVATION (Tim. 2:10) Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. (2 Timothy 2:10) ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS (Eph 1:3) Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ: (Ephesians 1:3) Where do we find all spiritual blessings? IN CHRIST. IN CHRIST NO CONDEMNATION BEGOTTEN NEW CREATURE - NEW BIRTH CHILDREN OF GOD REDEMPTION BY BLOOD SALVATION FORGIVENESS ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS All these blessings are yours if you are in Christ. Every negative has a positive and every positive has a negative. NOT IN CHRIST UNDER THE CONDEMNATION OF GOD NOT BEGOTTEN OF GOD NOT A NEW CREATURE (NO NEW BIRTH) NOT A CHILD OF GOD (A CHILD OF THE DEVIL) NEVER REDEEMED BY THE BLOOD OF THE SON OF GOD NO SALVATION (UNDER CONDEMNATION - DAMNATION) NO FORGIVENESS (NOT YET RECEIVED THE FORGIVENESS OF YOUR SINS) NO SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS (NOT ONE) HOW DO WE GET INTO CHRIST? There are two scriptures in the New Testament that explain to us exactly how we are to get into Christ. Romans 6:3,4 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (Romans 6:3) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4) How do we get into Christ? Paul says by the spirit of the Lord that we are BAPTIZED into Christ. Galatians 3:26,27 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26) For (Greek gar) heres the reason... For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (Galatians 3:27) We get into Christ by baptism. Baptism puts you in Christ where there is no condemnation. Baptism puts you in Christ where you are begotten of God. Baptism puts you in Christ where you are born again, a new creature. Baptism puts you in Christ where you are a child of God. Baptism puts you in Christ where you are redeemed by His blood. Baptism puts you in Christ where you receive salvation. Baptism puts you in Christ where you receive forgiveness of sins. Baptism puts you in Christ where you receive all spiritual blessings If one has not been baptized into Christ he is not in Christ. If one is not in Christ he has not one spiritual blessing (see p.4) Romans 8:1 [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1) 1 Peter 3:20,21 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. (1 Peter 3:20) The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 3:21) Answer to a good conscience - the defence I know I'm right, I feel I'm right one says. What's the defence for this? You have Been baptized Peter says. No condemnation, a good conscience before God, born again, a new creature raised to walk in newness of life. Gal. 3:27 Rom. 6:4. ********************** End Text **************************************