What is a Christian?

1 PET. iii. 21.

"Baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

MOST sacred and most responsible is the profession of a Christian. Let us take our impression. of it from the language of Scripture. A Christian is one who is "in Christ:" and of him, therefore, it is written, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new: and he henceforth lives not unto himself, but unto him which died for him, and rose again." (2 Cor. v. 17, 15.) Of him it is written, that by Christ "the world is crucified unto him, and he unto the world: for in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncir

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cumcision, but a new creature."—(Gal. vi. 14, 15.) A Christian is one "in whom Christ is;" of him, therefore, it is written, "If Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness."-(Rom. viii. 10.) The Christian is a son of God; of him, therefore, it is written, "As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear: but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."(Rom. xiv. 14-17.) A Christian is Christ's, or one belonging to Christ; of him, therefore, it is written, "They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts."-(Gal. v. 24.) A Christian is one to whom the Scriptures assign the name of "saint," a holy one-one set apart from an evil world for the service of God. He, therefore, is included in the frequent apostolic salutation, "To them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called saints,' beloved of God,' faithful brethren,'' elect,' and partakers of the Divine nature.' -(1 Cor. i. 2; Rom. i. 7; Col. i. 2; 1 Pet. i. 2; 2 Pet. i. 4.) A Christian is one who has been baptized; of him, therefore, it is written, "We are buried with Christ by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: knowing this, that our