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[Note: <\/strong>This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles-1<\/strong> page.]<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Every spiritual blessing God has designed for us is found only \u201cin Christ\u201d (Eph. 1:3). These include forgiveness of sins at which time our condemnation is lifted (Rom. 8:1), the privilege and ability to live a new, pure life of service to God and man is ours (2 Cor. 5:17), and at the end of all other spiritual blessings, eternal salvation (2 Tim. 2:10; 1 John 5:11). To be \u201cin Christ\u201d is to have these blessings and outside of Him, they are not to be found at all. There could be no more essential quest for any human being than to learn how to enter into Christ. Let us pursue this quest and discover the Scriptural answer.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 How can one be free from condemnation of the guilt of sin? Only by receiving \u201cremission of sins\u201d (Acts 2:38) or having one\u2019s sins \u201cwashed away\u201d (Acts 22:16). How does one become a \u201cnew creature\u201d in Christ, except by being \u201cborn again\u201d (John 3:3, 5). And walking \u201cin newness of life\u201d (Rom. 6:4)?<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Now, at what point in one\u2019s life or upon what conditions, are these blessings said to be given by God? \u201cRemission of sins\u201d and \u201cwashing away of sins\u201d are both said to come in the act of <\/strong>(not before) baptism (Acts 2:38; 22:16). One is \u201cborn again\u201d of water (a reference to baptism) and the Spirit to become a \u201cnew creature in Christ\u201d (John 3:3, 5). This is plain also from the fact that one rises from his burial in baptism \u201cto walk in newness of life\u201d (Rom. 6:4). The potential of eternal salvation is said to come after<\/strong> baptism (Mark 16:16) and for this reason Peter says simply, baptism \u201cdoth now save you\u201d (1 Pet. 3:21). It is not our intent to imply that baptism alone is essential for salvation, for neither do the Scriptures teach nor do we believe such.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 However, let us fear not to accept what the Scriptures plainly teach on this matter. Indeed, let us fear if we refuse<\/strong> to accept the Scriptures. Is it not evident from the several Scriptures referred to that baptism is the final act of obedience<\/strong> upon which God then gives men His spiritual blessings? Now, please follow carefully: If one receives various spiritual blessings at the point of baptism (which we have shown he does), and if these blessings are \u201cin Christ\u201d (which we have seen they are), then it must follow that in baptism<\/strong> (not apart from<\/strong> or before<\/strong>) one is united with Christ and comes \u201cinto\u201d Christ.<\/strong><\/p>\n That which the foregoing Scriptures necessarily imply<\/strong>, they elsewhere twice explicitly <\/strong>state (emph. below by DM):<\/p>\n Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus<\/strong> were baptized into His death? (Rom. 6:3).<\/p>\n For as many of you as were baptized into Christ<\/strong> did put on Christ (Gal. 3:27).<\/p>\n No other Scriptures tell us the way to get \u201cinto Christ.\u201d Both passages plainly state that we are baptized <\/strong>into Him. Those who leave baptism and its Scriptural function out of the Gospel plan of salvation, whether in their preaching or practice, would do well to repent while they still have time.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n [Note:<\/strong>\u00a0I wrote this article for, and it was published in the \u201cBible Thoughts\u201d Column for the Hood County News<\/em>, Granbury, Texas, June 10, 1979.]<\/span><\/p>\n Attribution:<\/strong> From thescripturecache.com<\/em>; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Views: 0[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles-1 page.]\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 Every spiritual blessing God has designed for us is found only \u201cin Christ\u201d (Eph. 1:3). These include forgiveness of sins at which time our condemnation is lifted (Rom. 8:1),…<\/p>\n\n