1. FOURTH QUARTER 2008 By Angel Manuel Rodriguez Principal Contributor The Atonement is the Biblical doctrine around which all others revolve. It is centered in Christ’s life, death, resurrection, ascension, mediation, and return.

2. FOURTH QUARTER: December 20, 2008 This Sabbath School lesson help was produced for the glory of God. It is being distributed through the internet media for you to use as you teach our Sabbath School classes. Please do not alter the way it was arranged. Thanks and God bless. Yours –in-Christ, Pastor N. V. Macatiag

3. FOURTH QUARTER: December 20 2008 Memory Text: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV).

4. FOURTH QUARTER: December 20 2008 Goal: To call to action those members who have been united with Christ by being endowed with the new humanity.

5. FOURTH QUARTER: December 20 2008 1.Introduction: A. Humanity today inherited the results of Adam’s fall; separation, enslavement, degradation and death. Our incorporation with Christ will only be materialized through our communion with Him and be united with the church, which is the body of Christ. So how do we do it?

6. FOURTH QUARTER: December 20 2008 Parallels between Adam and Christ: CHRISTADAM1. Son of God (Luke 3:22)(Luke 3:38) 2.Was obedient2.Was disobedient (Rom. 5:19) 3. Brought grace for all3. Introduced sin (Rom. 5:20–22) (Rom. 5:12)

7. FOURTH QUARTER: December 20 2008 4. Made possible the 4. Introduced reign reign of life of death (Rom. 5:17) 5. Through Him many 5. All his descendants will be made righteous are sinners (Rom. 5:19) 6. Brought justification6. Brought condemnation (Rom. 5:18) (1 Cor. 15:21) 7. In Him all will be 7. In him all die made alive (Rom. 5:18) (1 Cor. 15:21)

8. 2. The goal of Christ’s work of salvation: A. Renewal of all things damaged by sin. i. In the future ii. At present FOURTH QUARTER: December 20 2008

9. B. Unity with Christ: a. Through the rite of Baptism. Why is it important? i. It is a public declaration of faith in Christ. ii.It is a declaration that “we were baptized into his death iii. It is a declaration that we ‘died’ and ‘resurrected’ with Christ. iv. It is a declaration the He is our only Lord

10. FOURTH QUARTER: December 20 2008 b. Membership in the Church Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. i. Ideas from this text. 1. A Contrast between ‘being in the flesh’ and ‘being in the Spirit’. 2. The truth that Christ owns us. 3. That uniting with Christ also means being united with his church

11. FOURTH QUARTER: December 20 2008 c. Benefits of the new humanity (being in Christ) at present. 1. Benefits of salvation grace (Eph. 1:2), the gift of eternal life (Rom. 6:23), God’s call to a holy life (Phil. 3:14), election (Eph. 1:4), redemption (Col. 1:14), justification (Gal. 2:17), forgiveness(Eph. 4:32), sanctification (1 Cor. 1:2).

12. FOURTH QUARTER: December 20 2008 In Him we were created for good works (Eph. 2:10), we have access to God (Eph. 3:12), we are now seated in heavenly places (Eph. 2:6), we have an inheritance (Eph. 1:10, 11), we are triumphant (2 Cor. 2:14), we can do all things (Phil. 4:13), we are rooted and built up (Col. 2:7).

13. FOURTH QUARTER: December 20 2008 2. What Christians do in union with Christ We rejoice in Him (Phil. 3:1), Boast and glory in Him (Rom. 15:17), stand firm in Him (Phil. 4:1), Are strong in Him (Eph. 6:10), and do works of faith in Him (Gal. 5:6)

14. FOURTH QUARTER: December 20 2008 “ Are you in Christ? Not if you do not acknowledge yourselves erring, helpless, condemned sinners. Not if you are exalting and glorifying self. If there is any good in you, it is wholly attributable to the mercy of a compassionate Saviour. Your birth, your reputation, your wealth, your talents, your virtues, your piety, your philanthropy, or anything else in you or connected with you, will not form a bond of union between your soul and Christ. Your connection with the church... will be of no avail unless you believe in Christ. It is not enough to believe about Him; you must believe in Him. You must rely wholly upon His saving grace.” —Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, pp. 48, 49.

15. FOURTH QUARTER: December 20 2008 How can you better contribute to the unity of the church in its message and mission?

16. FOURTH QUARTER: December 20 2008 God bless and a Happy Sabbath.