Faith & Reason Nexus

Old Testament / Old Law

• Those under the Old Law were told:
  Matthew 19:17 – “If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
• Jesus lived, kept, and died under the Old Law.
• The thief on the cross lived and died under the Old Law.
• People in the Christian age were told:
  Galatians 5:4 – “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.”

Are you trying to live under the Old Testament law today?

New Testament / New Law

• Believing State
  Romans 10:17 – “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
• Turning State (Repentance)
  Acts 17:30 – “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.”
• Confessing State
  Romans 10:10 – “For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”
• Baptism
  Mark 16:16 – “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.”
  1 Peter 3:21 – “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you.”
  Acts 2:38 – “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”
  Acts 22:16 – “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins.”

In Baptism:

• Die to Sin:
  Romans 6:3-5 – “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death… we too may live a new life.”
  2 Corinthians 5:17 – “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”
• Put on Christ:
  Galatians 3:26-27 – “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith… For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

After Baptism:

• Now in the Kingdom:
  Colossians 1:13-14 – “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.”
• Born into the Family of God:
  John 3:3-5 – “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
• God adds one to the Church:
  Acts 2:47 – “And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
• Now “in Christ”:
  2 Corinthians 5:17 – “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”
  Romans 8:1 – “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
• Old Man Crucified:
  Romans 6:6 – “We know that our old self was crucified with him.”

In What Spiritual State Are You Living?