''Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!'' 2 Corinthians 5:17 (see also Galatians 6:15; Ephesians 2:10).

THE ADAMIC RACE "For as in Adam all die . . . '' 1 Corinthians 15:22 (see also Romans 5:12) Adam was God's representative man. He was created father of the human race. When he sinned he affected all of mankind. All the succeeding generations have inherited a rebellious and diseased nature, and have been alienated from God.

Its Character (Genesis 3:6 19)

! Rebellion (verse 6). ! Shame they knew they were naked (verse 7). ! Self righteousness they covered themselves with fig leaves (verse 7). ! Guilt they hid from God (verse 8). ! Fear (verse 10) . ! Self justification each blamed the other (verse 12 13). ! Judgment sorrow and death (verses 16 19).

Its Authority Lost Satan is now the prince of the world (see John 12:31;14:30;16:11).

Its Power Limited to the five natural senses of seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling and touching (see 1 Corinthians 2:14).

CHRIST'S REDEMPTIVE WORK

God never intended to patch up the fallen Adamic race; instead, His intention was to put an end to that race and begin a whole new humanity in Christ.

The Cross As Jesus hung upon the Cross, He hung there as the representative Man the last of the Adamic race. God crucified the fallen creation in Him (see 1 Corinthians 15:45 49; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 6:6).

The Resurrection Jesus was raised from the dead as the Head of the New Creation (Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:18). Just as in His death God put an end to the race of sinful men, so in His coming back to life God was making possible a whole new beginning for us (Romans 6:4; 1 Peter 1:3). The resurrected Lord Jesus is the beginning of a whole new race of people the NEW CREATION ! "But the glorious fact is that Christ DID rise from the dead: he has become the very first to rise of all who sleep the sleep of death. As death entered the world through a man, so has rising from the dead come to us through a man! As members of a sinful race all men die; as members of the Christ of God all men shall be raised to life . . . '' 1 Corinthians 15:20 23 (Phillips) (see also 15:47 49; Revelation 1:5).

Provision is now made for every person in the world to be severed frrom the old creation and become part of the new creation. To be translated out of the Kingdom of Darkness into the Kingdom of God (Colossians 1:13), there must be an individual response of faith to the salvation provided in the finished work of Christ (John 1:12).

THE NEW CREATION

In the work of the Cross, and the subsequent Resurrection, God ushered in a new era, a new race of people, a new humanity (see 1 Peter 2:9 10; Ephesians 2:19).

Its Character ! The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22 23). ! Love the law of the New Creation (John 13:34). ! Unity we're ALL part of the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11 13; John 17: 20 23). ! Joy our strength (Nehemiah 8:10; Philippians 4:4). ! Faith (Hebrews 11:1,6; 1 John 5:4). ! Immortality (1 Peter 1:23).

Its Authority

The Name of Jesus (Mark 16:17). The word of the King (2 Corinthians 5:20) we are ambassadors for Christ.

Its Power The Holy Spirit, who testifies to the Resurrection (Acts 1:8; 4:33; 5:30 32). Its National Costume ''Awake, awake, O Zion, clothe yourself with strength. Put on your garments of splendour . . . '' Isaiah 52:1. ! Garment of Salvation (Isaiah 61:10). ! Robe of Righteousness (Isaiah 61:10; Revelation 19:8). ! Garment of Praise (Isaiah 61:3). ! Cloak of Zeal (Isaiah 59:17).

PUT OFF THE OLD, AND PUT ON THE NEW Ephesians 4:21 24; Colossians 3:8 10; Romans 12:1 2.