CHRIST IN CREATION AND REDEMPTION.
By E. Batterson
1. JESUS was one associated with the Father in the beginning. Gen. 1:26: “And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness.” 2. Christ was with God before creation. John 17:5: “And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was.” 3. Work of creation by Christ. Eph. 3:9: “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.” Also Heb. 1:2, 10. 4. Our Creator is our Redeemer. Isa. 43:1: “But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, fear not; for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.” 5. Our Redeemer because our Creator. Col. 1:14, 16: “In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” “For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by Him, and for Him.” 6. Redemption is creation. Eph. 2:1, 10: “And you hath He quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins;” “for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” 7. We become new creatures. 2 Cor. 5:17: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 8. This is what availeth. Gal. 6:15: “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.”