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Assembly Times

 Sunday

   Bible Classes (10:00 am)

   AM Worship (11:00 am)

   PM Worship (3:00 pm)

 Thursday

   Bible Classes (7:35 pm)

Location

Piedmont Family YMCA

442 Westfield Road

Charlottesville, VA 22901
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Are You in Christ?

by Steve Klein

The very name "Christian" suggests that one who is worthy of the name has a close relationship with Christ. The scriptures emphasize this closeness by referring to Christians  as being "in Christ" (2 Corinthians 1:21). Two individuals cannot get any closer! The things that can be found in this relationship are the things that meet our deepest needs, such as forgiveness of sins, a fresh start in life and something to hope for beyond death. In fact, God "has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places IN CHRIST" (Ephesians 1:3).

Since all of us have sinned (Romans 3:23), we all need forgiveness.  We can find it in Christ. In Him we have "redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:13-14).

Having messed up our lives with sin, we also greatly need a fresh start in life, and we can find it in Christ. "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

A hope of eternal life is also found in Christ. Christians know that "God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son" (I John 5:11).

The things that are in Christ are the things everyone needs, but everyone is not in Christ. Many think they are, but are they really?  Have they done what it takes according to scripture to have access to the blessings found in Christ?

How does a person get into Christ, anyway?

Only two verses in the Bible contain the phrase "into Christ." They are Galatians 3:27 and Romans 6:3. Galatians 3:27 states, "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Romans 6:3 states, "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?" Obviously, when a believer is baptized he is baptized "into" Christ and thus "puts on Christ."

Believers who have been scripturally baptized are in Christ. They have believed before being buried in the watery grave of baptism for the remission of their sins. Are you in Christ? 

Other Articles by Steve Klein
Shall We Overcome?
The Spirit of the Sadducees
God's Word -- Can You Put Up With It?