The Believer’s Unfathomable
Riches in Christ
34 blessings every believer possesses
the moment they believe — not earned, but given by grace.
When anyone accepts Jesus Christ as their personal Savior they are instantaneously enriched with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph. 1:3) and declared to be complete in Christ (Col. 2:10). In fact, the Apostle Paul refers to these blessings as “the unfathomable riches of Christ” in Ephesians 3:8. “Unfathomable” is the Greek anexichniastos which means “past finding out, unsearchable, not to be tracked out.” The idea is that the believer's blessings in Christ are “too deep to be measured.” Many of these blessings, however, are clearly defined for us in the Bible. When you receive Jesus Christ by faith, at least the following 34 things are unconditionally promised to you as a member of the body of Christ, the Church, as stated in God's holy Word.
However, if you never receive Jesus Christ by faith as the only begotten Son of God who died on the cross in your place to pay the penalty for your sins, and rose again to ever reign with God the Father, then you will forfeit these awesome blessings.
The Position and Possessions of the Believer
In the Eternal Plan of God
- a.ForeknownRomans 8:29; 1 Peter 1:2
- b.Elect of God1 Thessalonians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:2; Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12; Titus 1:1
- c.PredestinedEphesians 1:11; Romans 8:29–30; Ephesians 1:5
- d.ChosenMatthew 22:14; 1 Peter 2:4
- e.Called1 Thessalonians 5:24
Reconciled
- a.Reconciled by God2 Corinthians 5:18–19; Colossians 1:20
- b.Reconciled to GodRomans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:20
Redeemed
Colossians 1:14; 1 Peter 1:18; Romans 3:24
No Condemnation
Romans 8:1; John 5:24; 1 Corinthians 11:32; John 3:18
Related to God Through Propitiation
The satisfaction of God’s holiness by the death of Christ.
Romans 3:24–26; 1 John 2:2
All Sins Removed by His Efficacious Blood
1 Peter 2:24; Romans 4:25
Vitally Joined Together with Christ
For judgment of the old self “unto a new walk.”
- a.Crucified with ChristRomans 6:6
- b.Dead with ChristRomans 6:8; 1 Peter 2:24
- c.Buried with ChristRomans 6:4; Colossians 2:12
- d.Raised with Christ to walk by a new life principleRomans 6:4; Colossians 3:1
Free from the Law
- a.Dead to the LawRomans 7:4
- b.Delivered from the LawRomans 7:6; Galatians 3:25; Romans 6:14; 2 Corinthians 3:11
Children of God
- a.Born AgainJohn 3:7; John 1:12; 1 Peter 1:23
- b.Quickened (made alive)Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 2:13
- c.Children of God1 John 3:2; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Galatians 3:26
- d.A New Creation2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15; Ephesians 2:10
- e.RegenerationTitus 3:5; John 13:10; 1 Corinthians 6:11
Adopted
Placed as adult sons.
Romans 8:15, 23; Galatians 4:5–7
Acceptable to God by Jesus Christ
- a.Made the Righteousness of God in ChristRomans 3:22; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:9
- b.Sanctified Positionally1 Corinthians 1:30; 6:11
- c.Perfected ForeverHebrews 10:14
- d.Made Accepted in the BelovedEphesians 1:6; 1 Peter 2:5
- e.Made QualifiedColossians 1:12
Justified
Romans 5:1; Romans 3:24; Romans 8:30; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Titus 3:7
Forgiven All Trespass
Colossians 1:14; Colossians 2:13; 3:13; Ephesians 1:7; 4:32
Made Close
Ephesians 2:13
Delivered from the Powers of Darkness
Colossians 1:13; 2:13–15
Translated into the Kingdom
Colossians 1:13
On the Rock, Christ Jesus
1 Corinthians 3:11; Ephesians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 1:21
A Gift from God the Father to Christ
John 17:6, 11–12, 20; John 10:29
Circumcised in Christ
Colossians 2:11; Philippians 3:3; Romans 2:29
Partakers of the Holy and Royal Priesthood
- a.Holy Priesthood1 Peter 2:5
- b.Royal Priesthood1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6
Chosen Generation, a Holy Nation, and a People of God’s Own Possession
1 Peter 2:9; Titus 2:14
Having Access to God
Ephesians 2:18; Romans 5:2; Hebrews 4:14–16; 10:19–20
Within the “Much More” Care of God
Romans 5:9–10
- a.Objects of His LoveEphesians 2:4; 5:2
- b.Objects of His GraceEphesians 2:8; Romans 5:2; 1 Peter 1:5; Ephesians 2:7; Titus 2:12–13
- c.Objects of His PowerEphesians 1:19; Philippians 2:13
- d.Objects of His FaithfulnessHebrews 13:5
- e.Objects of His PeacePhilippians 4:6–7; Colossians 3:15
- f.Objects of His Comfort2 Thessalonians 2:16
- g.Objects of His Personal Care1 Peter 5:7
- h.Objects of His IntercessionHebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 9:24
His Inheritance
Ephesians 1:18
Our Inheritance
1 Peter 1:4; Ephesians 1:14; Colossians 3:24; Hebrews 9:15
A Heavenly Association
Ephesians 2:6
- a.Partners with Christ in LifeColossians 3:4; 1 John 5:11–12
- b.Partners with Christ in PositionEphesians 2:6
- c.Partners with Christ in Service1 Corinthians 1:9; 3:9; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 5:20; 6:4
- d.Partners with Christ in Suffering2 Timothy 2:12; Philippians 1:29; 1 Peter 2:20; 4:12–13; 1 Thessalonians 3:3; Romans 8:18; Colossians 1:24
Heavenly Citizens
Philippians 3:20; Ephesians 2:19; Hebrews 12:22; Luke 10:20
Of the Family and Household of God
Ephesians 2:19; 3:6; Galatians 6:10
Light in the Lord
Ephesians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:4–5
Vitally United to the Father, Son, and Spirit
- a.In God1 Thessalonians 1:1; Ephesians 4:6
- b.In ChristJohn 14:20; Colossians 1:27
- c.In the SpiritRomans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 2:12
Blessed with the “First-Fruits” and the “Earnest” of the Spirit
- a.Born of the SpiritJohn 3:6
- b.Baptized by Means of the Spirit1 Corinthians 12:13
- c.Indwelt by the Spirit1 Corinthians 6:19; 2:12; John 7:39; Romans 5:5; 8:9; 2 Corinthians 1:21; Galatians 4:6; 1 John 3:24
- d.Sealed with the SpiritEphesians 1:13; 4:30; 2 Corinthians 1:22
- e.Anointed with the Spirit2 Corinthians 1:21; 1 John 2:20
Glorified
Romans 8:30
Complete in Him
Colossians 2:10
Possessing Every Spiritual Blessing
Ephesians 1:3
Adapted from Systematic Theology, Volume III, Soteriology, pp. 234–266, by Lewis Sperry Chafer, Dallas Seminary Press by J. Hampton Keathley III, a 1966 graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and former pastor of 28 years.