"IN" -- "OUT OF"  CHRIST

Introduction;
     1. Many relationships in life; some more important than others
     2. None--NONE-- are more important, nor necessary than the one
        we shall discuss.
     3. Matt. 28:18-20 -- Baptizing them INTO the name of the
        Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
     4. Not talking about location; but, relationship.
     5. What does it mean to be IN CHRIST???

BODY:
  I. NOTICE WHAT IT IS TO BE OUTSIDE OF CHRIST:

     1. Eph. 2:1-3 -- DEAD; Separated from God;
     2. Eph. 2:11-12 -- Having no hope; without God....
     3. No spiritual life; alienated from God.
     4. This is the condition of all those "out of" Christ.
     5. What a sad condition!!
     6. Oh, but could I impress upon those in the world, and our
        conscience also the terrible end of such a choice; to be
        lost, without the friendship of Jehovah.
     7. We seek friendships in this world for various reasons, but
        we must SEEK THE FRIENDSHIP OF THE ONE BEFORE WHOM WE SHALL
        STAND IN THE JUDGMENT.
     8. John 5:28-29 -- "Marvel not at this: for the hour will come
        in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice..."

 II. WHAT IT MEANS TO BE IN CHRIST:

     1. Eph. 2:16 -- reconciled to God. The friend of God.
     2. Phil. 4:7 -- Peace of God that passeth all understanding...
     3. A serenity that one can find only IN CHRIST.
     4. 1 Thess.4:13 -- A hope that extends beyond the grave.
     5. Can talk to God; and He listens.
     6. Privileges and blessings in Christ beyond description.
     7. Eph. 1:3 -- No spiritual blessing "out of" Christ.
     8. Eph. 1:6 -- redemption in Christ; forgiveness.
     9. 2 Cor. 5:17 -- New creature, a changed person, a renewed
           life, with purpose for living.
    10. 1 Pet. 5:10 -- Grace, in Christ, called into his eternal
        glory -- 2 Thess. 2:14 -- by the gospel.

III. THUS, WHAT MUST ONE DO TO GAIN ENTRANCE INTO CHRIST JESUS???

     1. Only two passages which tells how one enters Christ:
     2. Rom. 6:1-4 -- into His death.
     3. Gal. 3:27 -- into Christ.
     4. Each one is either "IN CHRIST" or "OUT OF CHRIST"
     5. There is no other alternative.
     6. Thus, if baptism puts one into Christ; let us catch people,
        and baptism them and they will be "In Christ."
     7. No, that will not work.
     8. There MUST BE SCRIPTURAL BAPTISM.

 IV. WHAT IS SCRIPTURAL BAPTISM?? Three needs to be met:
     1. Must be administered to a person who is prepared.
        (1) Why infants are not subjects of baptism.
        (2) They are in no need to be saved, for they are not lost.
        (3) How anyone could look into the eyes of a newborn and say
            they are sinners.
        (4) The infant (child) is SAFE; until he or she commits sin.
        (5) Baptism must be preceded by FAITH -- Heb. 11:6.
            Baptism must be preceded by REPENTANCE -- Acts 17:30;
                 Acts 2:38.
            Baptism must be preceded by CONFESSION -- Rom. 10:10.
               God has always expected man to express himself or
                   herself in a positive, affirmative manner.

     2. Must be done the right way:
        (1) A burial -- Rom. 6:3-7 -- Crucified, buried, raised....
        (2) Col. 2:12 -- re-enactment of death, burial and
            resurrection of Christ.
        (3) As the Lord's Supper brings our mind back to the cross,
               so does baptism refresh our mind as to his death and
               resurrection.
        (4) This is why sprinkling water or pouring water over the
               candidate is not scriptural baptism.
        (5) Acts 8:38 -- BOTH Philip and the Eunuch went DOWN INTO
               the water, and he baptized him. He came up from the
               water.

     3. Must be done for the right reason:
        (1) Acts 2:38 -- "for the remission of sins"
        (2) Rom. 6:3-4 -- blood shed in His death; one is baptized
            into His death where the blood was shed.
        (3) NOT because sins have already been forgiven.
        (4) You see, it is a dead body that is buried, then raised
                in "newness of life."
        (5) Some of our religious friends would bury a clean person;
            they would baptize because sins have already been
            forgiven; as an outward sign of an inward grace.
        (6) No such language found in God's Book.

     4. Thus scriptural baptism is administered to:
        (1) A believer
        (2) By immersion in water;
        (3) For the right reason.
        (4) This, and only this, puts one into Christ.
        (5) BEFORE SCRIPTURAL BAPTISM, ONE IS "out of" Christ; not
            in a spiritual relationship with Him.

Conclusion:
     1. Notice how these things follow one another;
        (1) Gaining entrance INTO Christ.
        (2) Abiding in Christ.
        (3) Ultimately, dying in Christ.  1 Thess 4:14.
     2. There is no place to drop our guard, or drag our feet.
     3. Rev. 2:10.

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