except through Jesus Christ
It will be evident to you from the topics covered in this series that man is mortal – a perishing creature, as the result of sin –
“That by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men.” Romans 4:12
Sin took effect in the nature of our first parents, and that nature having been transmitted to us, we are dying creatures, and are therefore “by nature children of wrath.” Ephesians 2:3. Our first parents having been cast out of Eden and from all its blessings, and having become separated from God by sin, they have left us outcasts from paradise and aliens from the glorious promises of God which we have been reading about. Hence the Apostle Paul says,
Wherefore remember, that ye being in times past Gentiles in the flesh…that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.” Ephesians 2:11, 12)
Our need of the great salvation is now apparent, and the question arises, To whom shall we go to obtain it?
In the Bible we read of the first Adam and the second Adam (Jesus Christ). In the first there is death; in the second there is eternal life. Our birth of the flesh gives us relation to the first only; but God in His goodness has opened up a way by which we may change our relationship from Adam the first to Adam the second, and thereby become now heirs of eternal life, and in the future possessors of that eternal life with all its glorious consequences.
In Christ only can we obtain Redemption and Atonement
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
“Jesus said unto her ‘I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live’.” John 11:25
Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine: no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” John 15:4
“Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
“The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28
“For when we were without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6
“God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 6:8
“For it, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” Romans 6:10,11
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the foregiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” Ephesians 1:7
But now, in Christ Jesus, ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Ephensians 2:13
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:14
“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:14
From these testimonies it will be seen that outside of Christ there is no reconciliation with God and consequently no salvation.
To be “in Christ” we must follow the Bible command of belief and baptism:
“For as many of you as have been baptised into Christ have put on Christ.” Galations 3:27
For more details on the subject of baptism, please see topic eighteen of this series.
“And if ye be Christ’s then are ye Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.” Galations 3:29
For more details on the subject of the covenant with Abraham, please see topic four of this series.