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Chapter 16

The Standing of God’s People

1. Basics
   1. Prologue: God Draws People to Himself
      • God chooses people (to be his people) . . .
      • . . . God chooses people to receive spiritual blessings
      • God calls people . . .
      • . . . God calls people to the blessings and other aspects of the faith
      • God’s choice and call were determined before creation
      • God’s choice and call are in accordance with his purpose
      • God enables people to believe
      • God enables people to come to him, in repentance
      • Note: God’s mercy and people’s destiny
   2. God’s People Belong to God
      • God’s people belong to him
      • They are God’s people . . .
      • . . . and God is their God
      • God’s people belong to Jesus Christ . . .
      • . . . The Father gives his people to Jesus Christ
      • God’s people are called and identified by his name and Jesus Christ’s name
   3. God’s People Are His Family
      • Each believer belongs to the household of God
      • God is their Father
      • God’s people are his children
      • As God’s children, they are heirs of God
      • God’s people are Jesus Christ’s brothers and sisters
      • God’s people are brothers and sisters of each other
      • Some of God’s people have parent-child relationships
   4. God’s People Are His Church
      • God’s people form his and Jesus Christ’s church
      • Jesus Christ is the church’s Lord and ruler
      • The church is God’s temple or house, in which God dwells by his Holy Spirit . . .
      • . . . As such, God’s people meet together in his presence
      • Being God’s, the church is holy

2. Being ‘in’ Jesus Christ
   1. God’s People Are ‘in’ Jesus Christ
      • God’s people are “in” Jesus Christ
      • God’s people are “in” Jesus Christ because of what God has done
      • Jesus Christ identifies himself with God’s people
      • God’s people live with Jesus Christ . . .
      • . . . and Jesus Christ is in his people
   2. The Significance of Being ‘in’ Jesus Christ
      • “In” Jesus Christ God’s people are saved
      • “In” Jesus Christ they have righteousness and are redeemed
      • “In” Jesus Christ God’s people are sanctified
      • “In” Jesus Christ they are identified with him in his death, resurrection and life – meaning release from sin and the law . . .
      • . . . This identification also has other implications – present and future
      • “In” Jesus Christ God’s people are given God’s grace
      • “In” Jesus Christ God’s people have peace and other spiritual “fruits”
      • “In” Jesus Christ God’s people have eternal life
      • “In” Jesus Christ they will have glory and other blessings in the afterlife
      • Further blessings of being “in” Jesus Christ
   3. God’s People Are One Body ‘in’ Jesus Christ
      • All believers – including Jews and Gentiles, slaves and free – are one body “in” Jesus Christ . . .
      • . . . The church is in fact the body of Christ
      • God’s people are many different parts making up one body “in” Jesus Christ
      • The church body is built by and “in” Jesus Christ . . .
      • . . . and Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the church
      • Jesus Christ is the head of the church body
      • Jesus Christ is portrayed as the husband of the church
      • God fosters unity and peace in the church body
      • The church’s unity is linked with it having one God, one Lord and one Spirit
   4. Epilogue: God’s People Relate to God through Jesus Christ
      • Jesus Christ’s death and priesthood have opened the way into God’s presence for God’s people
      • God’s people have access to God through Jesus Christ – by the Holy Spirit
      • God’s people give thanks and praise to God through Jesus Christ
      • God’s people ask the Father for things in Jesus Christ’s “name”
      • Further references to God’s people relating to him through Jesus Christ

 ➜Major headings in: 16. The Standing of God’s People (and all of Unit D)

Pray for persecuted Christians