Bible Key Words and Meanings A-Z Series: "In"

Follow along with an open King James Bible as Brother Scott Evans teaches on the Biblical word, "In," that is, "In Christ." 

I hope you enjoyed this episode of Brother Scott's Look in the Book, and most of all, I pray you learned from it and that it helped you dive deeper into God's word, which he places above his very name.
(Psalm 138:2 KJV) (2) I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

God gives us instruction on how to study our Bibles:
(2 Timothy 2:15 KJV) (15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Please do not only go by what I say, but do the work and study for yourself.
"Anything I can talk you into, someone else can talk you out of."
- Trey Searcy of Truth Time Radio

Become so familiar with the truth in God's word, that when a counterfeit Bible or preacher comes along, you will immediately recognize it. That is how you fool-proof yourself.

Link to my YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@BrotherScottsLookintheBook/

Link to Truth Time Radio's WTTR 24x7 broadcast:
TRUTHTIMERADIO (securenetsystems.net)

Transcript

Hi! This is Brother Scott with another, Truth Time Look in the Book! 
Today is part 24 in my series, Bible Key Words and Meanings A-Z.
All references are from the King James Bible.
I will be referencing quite a few verses, so perhaps take some notes as you listen. 
We continue with the letter, I. 
The word today is, "In."

Really brother Scott? The word is, "In?" 
Ha! Well, please don't turn me off just yet! 
OK, the word is "in," as "In Christ, in him, and in whom."
Hopefully that peaks your curiosity!
When we read in Paul's epistles, "in Christ, in him, or in whom," we may tend to think that scripture is always referring to those in the body of Christ. 
But every time we read, "in Christ," it does not necessarily mean the body of Christ exclusively. 
Our apostle Paul was the first person in the body of Christ:
(1 Timothy 1:16 KJV) 
(16) Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

Did you catch it? 
Paul wrote, "...in me first..." 
Those who are saved through the gospel that saves today declared unto us in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 are members of the body of Christ, and are said to be in Christ.
But there are those who were in Christ, but were not in the body of Christ. 
In (Romans 16:7 KJV) Paul wrote:
(7) Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

Andronicus and Junia, fellow Jews with Paul, were in Christ according to the gospel of the Kingdom which Peter and the other 11 apostles preached. But they obviously were not in the body of Christ because Paul was the first as we read in 1 Timothy 1:16. 
OK, let's take a look at:
(Colossians 2:9 KJV) 
(9) For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

Is that about us being in Christ?
It's not, because we aren't "all the fulness of the Godhead bodily," correct?
There is only One who is "all the fulness of the Godhead bodily," and he is Jesus Christ.
Unlike us, Christ was deity and perfect in the flesh. 
It is IN the person of Jesus Christ where the "fulness of the Godhead bodily," dwells, not in each person who is "in Christ."

OK, next let's reference:
(Romans 3:24 KJV) 
(24) Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

That verse is not speaking of WHO is in Christ, but WHAT is FOUND in Christ, namely, redemption. 

Let's move on to:
(Romans 8:39 KJV) 
(39) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The love of God was manifest in his Son's finished crosswork which was the perfect atonement for the sins of the world. 
So, it's not about the position of the believer in Christ, but instead, it's about what God accomplished in Christ. 

Alright, the next verse we will take a look at is:
(Romans 12:5 KJB) 
(5) So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Now, that verse actually IS speaking about members of the body of Christ, i.e., individuals being in Christ. 

When reading the phrases, "In Christ, In him, and in whom," and whenever we study scripture, it's imperative we keep everything in its proper context.

Another aspect of "in Christ" to consider is, in time past, under covenant, Israel was God's chosen nation, his chosen people. Set apart from the Gentiles. We read about this in:
Deuteronomy 7:6, Matthew 10:5, Matthew 15:24, Matthew 15:26, John 4:22, Acts 11:19, and Romans 3:1-2. 
But now, under grace, in Christ there is no Jew or Gentile. We are all considered a new creature, 2 Corinthians 5:17. Israel has been set aside, concluded in unbelief. Romans 11:32. As individuals we are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28, Colossians 3:11, Ephesians 2:15, 
1 Corinthians 12:13, and Romans 11:32. 

There is so much more to the study of in Christ, in him, and in whom that I urge you to study on your own. But I will leave you with some good news. All of your sins were forgiven at the cross. Sin does not separate you from God today. God is not angry with you over your sin. Proof of this is found in:
(2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV) 
(19) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

That is all past tense. It happened at the cross around 2,000 years ago. 
God reconciled the world unto himself.
To complete the reconciliation, it is up to us as individuals to reconcile ourselves to God:
(2 Corinthians 5:20 KJV)
(20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

I can actually reconcile myself to God, you ask?
Yes!
Notice how our apostle Paul declares unto you and me what the gospel is. Listen to the words:
(1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV) 
(1) Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 
(2) By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 
(3) For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 
(4) And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

That is THE gospel that saves today right there. 
God's will is that all be saved:
(1 Timothy 2:3-4 KJV) 
(3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 
(4) Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Today is the day of salvation:
(2 Corinthians 6:2 KJV) 
(2) (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Don't wait. There is no reason to. My prayer is that you make today the day of YOUR salvation!

And when you do, you will have this glorious truth to look forward to. Please listen carefully:
(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 KJV) 
(13) But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 
(14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 
(15) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 
(16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 
(18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

There is comfort in those words because, no matter what happens to us on this earth, and we all encounter challenges, we have the catching away to look forward to, which WILL happen! Perhaps look those verses up and read them for yourself and be comforted. Again, that is 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. 

OK, that will do it for now.
Like the noble Bereans did with Paul’s messages, I urge you to search the scriptures to see if what I am teaching is true. You can find that in 
Acts 17:10-11.
Also, prove all things. 1 Thessalonians 5:21. 
And finally, please do not place confidence in what I say. Psalm 118:8-9.
This is brother Scott with another Truth Time, Look in the Book!