In Christ or Out of Christ

The phrase “in Christ” is of vast importance in New Testament teaching. One must be “in Christ” to be saved. The phrase itself is found 87 times in the New King James Version of the New Testament and 91 times in the English Standard Version, so we run across the phrase frequently in our Bibles. Well, what does the phrase mean? It depends on the context.

Context always matters in determining the meaning of words and phrases. It is no different with this phrase. For example, in Acts 24:24, Felix “sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.” (NKJV) In this passage Christ is the object of faith, thus this is only a reference to the person of Christ versus some other man.

By contrast, you run into a passage like 1 Cor. 15:17-18, which reads, “And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.” (NKJV) In this passage “in Christ” clearly has reference to a location in the spiritual realm.

We are concerned with the phrase “in Christ” in this article only where the phrase is used in reference to a spiritual location. In the physical realm each body is separate from another body; we each have our own. In the spiritual realm we are to become one body with Christ. We enter into Christ. We are “baptized into Christ” and, having done so, “have put on Christ.” (Gal. 3:27 NKJV) “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.” (1 Cor. 12:13 NKJV) Christ’s spiritual body is the church (Eph. 1:22-23, Col. 1:18).

One cannot overemphasize the importance of being “in Christ,” in being a reference to location. Wherever I am, it automatically excludes me from being anywhere else. I cannot be physically present in your house and in someone else’s house at the same time. In Christianity, in the spiritual realm, one is either “in Christ” or outside him. There are no other possible alternatives.

To be in Christ means:

·  Forgiveness. The apostle Paul, writing to the Colossians, says, “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” (Col. 1:13-14 NKJV) In whom? The text makes it clear: in Christ. Yes, we are saved through Christ, through what he did on the cross, but we are saved in Christ, by being placed in his body through gospel obedience.

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23 NKJV) “There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Rom. 3:10 NKJV) If you desire forgiveness of your sins you must be “in Christ.” “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 NKJV) Forgiveness is in Christ, not outside of him.

·   Redemption. Paul, in Romans 3:24, speaks of “the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (NKJV) We are redeemed from sin and its consequences. “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins.” (Eph. 1:7 NKJV) Jesus purchased us with his blood, the price for the forgiveness of our sins. “You were bought at a price.” (1 Cor. 6:20 NKJV) Peter tells us the price: “You were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold … but with the precious blood of Christ.” (1 Peter 1:18-19 NKJV) Things are redeemed at a cost. Redemption is “in Christ,” not outside him. How do I know? The Bible tells me so, Rom. 3:24.

·   Salvation. In 2 Tim. 2:10, Paul speaks of “the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” (NKJV) Isn’t that the thing we all long for? It is found “in Christ,” not outside him.

·   Promise of Life. Paul speaks of “the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim. 1:1 NKJV) Even if death were simply a state of unconsciousness, which it is not, do we not all desire life? The promise of life is in Jesus, not outside him.

·   Eternal Life. “The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23 NKJV) In Christ, there need be no more fear of death, or of sickness, or illness, or of separation. “And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Rev. 21:4 NKJV) But this is “in Christ,” not outside him.

·   No Condemnation. “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” (Rom. 8:1 NKJV) It is a wonderful thing not to have to carry around the burden of sin, but this is only “in Christ,” not outside of him. We are not condemned “in Christ.” Outside Christ is a different matter.

·   Alive to God. We are “alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 6:11 NKJV) Man cannot come to God in any way other than through Christ. Jesus’ own words were, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 NKJV) “In Christ” we are alive to God. Outside Christ, we are dead to God. You cannot live for God outside Christ.

·   A New Creation. “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 NKJV) “New creation” is “new creature” in the New American Standard translation. Do you want a new start in life? Do you need one? It is only found “in Christ.” A new life, a new beginning, is found “in Christ,” not outside him.

·   The Love of God. In Rom. 8:38-39, Paul tells Christians there is no outside power that “shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (NKJV) Yes, sin separates us from God (Isa. 59:2), but in Christ those sins are forgiven. God loves us even as sinners (John 3:16, Rom. 5:8), but in Christ the floodgates of God’s love are wide open toward us. You can rest assured of God’s love for you “in Christ.”

·   God’s kindness. “That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 2:7 NKJV) God’s kindness comes to us “in Christ,” not outside of him.

·   Sanctification. Paul, in writing to the church at Corinth, begins his letter “to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Cor. 1:2 NKJV) We are sanctified in Christ, which means we are made holy. We become consecrated to God in Christ. One cannot be made holy outside Christ. Holiness is found “in Christ,” not outside Christ.

·   Grace. Do you want to be saved by grace? It is the only way any of us can be saved. If so, grace is found “in Christ,” not outside him. “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim. 2:1 NKJV) If grace is found there, that is where you and I need to be, “in Christ.” If you were told where riches were found for the taking, the wise individual would go to that location.

·   Every spiritual blessing. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” (Eph. 1:3 NKJV) Spiritual blessings are found “in Christ,” not outside him. What are these blessings? That is the very thing we are discussing in this article, incomplete as it is.

·   The righteousness of God. “For he has made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Cor. 5:21 NKJV) “In him” is clearly a reference to Jesus. In Jesus we find our righteousness, “in Christ,” not outside Christ.

Surely any open-minded person who believes the Bible to be the word of God can see the absolute necessity of being “in Christ” for salvation and to obtain the many blessings associated with being “in Christ.” Thus, the only question remaining is how one enters into Christ? Although this was discussed earlier, let us go over it again. The Bible plainly tells us how we enter into Christ. “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?” (Rom. 6:3 NKJV) “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Gal. 3:27 NKJV)

No, baptism will not bring you into Christ without faith and repentance, but baptism is the final step one takes to enter into Christ. How do I know? The Bible just told me so in the passages just quoted.

Few in Christendom believe baptism is essential. They think they can get “in Christ” some other way, although the passage that teaches that way has never been provided. We, as human beings, are heavily influenced by what the majority thinks. If your own thinking contradicts the thought of the majority, it seems natural to question yourself. How can I be right and everyone else be wrong? In addition to that, there are negative consequences for bucking the consensus of thought. There is pressure to conform. Who wants to be ostracized? Who wants to alienate friends and family? It is easy to tell yourself baptism does not matter because that seems to be what the majority of Christendom has concluded.

However, I am reminded that Peter and the apostles said, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29 NKJV) They were speaking for themselves, but no doubt the same principle applies to us as well. One is also reminded of Paul’s statement to the Galatians, “Do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Gal. 1:10 NKJV)

To be “in Christ” or to be out of Christ, that is the decision all persons of accountable age must make. I will close this with words from an old hymn often sung: “trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” If you have not obeyed Jesus in baptism it is past time. Today is the day of salvation. Today is the day to enter Christ.

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