Baptized – Old Things are New Again

It is written in 2 Cor 5:17 “Therefore if man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

The words Paul used in this passage, “be in Christ,” in what Paul also used in Romans 6:3,4, and that was being baptized into Christ.

Paul used the phrase, “a new creature,” in this verse. A new creature means that that person is no longer living in sin, but now is living in Christ.

Paul also stated that “old things are passed away.” This is the result of being obedient to the teachings of Christ, who said that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name beginning in Jerusalem. Luke 24:47. Peter preached that sermon as recorded in Acts 2:38, when the people were told to repent and be baptized into Christ for the remission of sins. When one is baptized into Christ for the remission of sins, then “old things are passed away.”

Baptized – Now a Christian

The last phrase in 2 Cor. 5:17 was all things “are become new.” One is now in Christ and the Lord added them to His church. As recorded in Acts 2:47. That person is now a Christian.

Well, why use this passage? Last Sunday morning after the assembly, Britney Wilson was baptized into Christ for the remission of her sins. She became a new creature in Christ. All of her past sins are washed away. Britney, has become new, a child in His wonderful family.

Britney, is the wife of Brandon Wilson and daughter in law of Bill and Dorothy Wilson. Make her welcome as you see her this morning.

GOD IS STILL LOVE

A man traveling through the country noticed that the weather vane on the roof of the farm building bore the phrase “God is love.” He was troubled about it and asked the farmer, “Do you think God’s love is as changeable as the weather vane?” “You miss the point sir,” replied the farmer. “It is on the weather vane because no matter which way the wind is blowing, God is still love.” “And we have known and believed the love that God has to us. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in them. 1 John 4:16.

See also: Identifying the Biblical Church

In Christian Love,
Bill Arnold, Minister
Ridgeway Church of Christ
Harrison, Arkansas