What Does It Mean to be In Christ?

[Arial]

This OP is coming from the POV of the Christian doctrine of Original Sin because we first must compare "in Christ" to the other often used biblical expression "in Adam," as this is the juxtaposition the Bible itself gives. However this brief look into that doctrine is for that purpose only, and is not an invitation to zero in on that one expression and take liberties with the OP to morph it into a discussion on OS. The topic remains what it means to be in Christ.

When the Bible speaks of being in Adam it refers to the disobedience of Adam changing him into a creature who was not sinful into a creature who was sinful. As the father of all humanity that condition passes to all mankind as descendants of Adam. Mankind is now a sinful creature. This is God's doing, setting Adam as the federal head or representative of all mankind, and is not to be questioned. His word makes it clear. Questioning it will not change the facts.

One of the reasons---and I stress one of the reasons---Christ came to us as one of us was to stand as another federal head, that of the redeemed. They are taken out of Adam as to guilt, and placed in Christ through faith in his person and work.

To put it simply as a definition to be in Christ is to be united with him, joined to him. But we need biblical evidence, and God willing, that evidence will awaken in us just how profound and permanent that union is.

In Romans 6 Paul is exhorting those Christians he is writing to to live according to righteousness and not as slaves to sin. But in that exhortation he expresses our union with Christ as having died with him, been buried with him, and to be bodily resurrected as he was.

3-10 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all but the life he lives he lives to God.
When it says above that Christ died to sin, it does not mean that he died to sin in the same way we do, as he was never a sinner. It means he died the death we deserve. That he took our punishment for sin upon his own body on the cross.

We are said to be united to Christ in his righteousness.

2 Cor 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Gen 15:6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him (Abraham) as righteousness. Quoted in Romans 4:3 and applied to Christian's who have put their trust in Christ.

We are said to be sealed in Christ.

Eph 1:13-14 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

We are so intimately joined to Christ as to be said to be seated with him in the heavenly places.

Eph 2:5-6 ---even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved---and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

To be in Christ is a union so close as to be inseparable from him. So close that we begin to be like him, think like him, act like him, love God as he loved the Father. So in union with him that his Father is our Father and we call him Father too. We are not Christ, but we are so identified with him, that Jesus himself prayed in John 17 that we would all be one even as he and the Father are one. It means he is the Vine and we are the branches in that vine.

 

[LeviR]

This OP is coming from the POV of the Christian doctrine of Original Sin because we first must compare "in Christ" to the other often used biblical expression "in Adam," as this is the juxtaposition the Bible itself gives. However this brief look into that doctrine is for that purpose only, and is not an invitation to zero in on that one expression and take liberties with the OP to morph it into a discussion on OS. The topic remains what it means to be in Christ.

When the Bible speaks of being in Adam it refers to the disobedience of Adam changing him into a creature who was not sinful into a creature who was sinful. As the father of all humanity that condition passes to all mankind as descendants of Adam. Mankind is now a sinful creature. This is God's doing, setting Adam as the federal head or representative of all mankind, and is not to be questioned. His word makes it clear. Questioning it will not change the facts.

One of the reasons---and I stress one of the reasons---Christ came to us as one of us was to stand as another federal head, that of the redeemed. They are taken out of Adam as to guilt, and placed in Christ through faith in his person and work.

To put it simply as a definition to be in Christ is to be united with him, joined to him. But we need biblical evidence, and God willing, that evidence will awaken in us just how profound and permanent that union is.

In Romans 6 Paul is exhorting those Christians he is writing to to live according to righteousness and not as slaves to sin. But in that exhortation he expresses our union with Christ as having died with him, been buried with him, and to be bodily resurrected as he was.

3-10 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all but the life he lives he lives to God.
When it says above that Christ died to sin, it does not mean that he died to sin in the same way we do, as he was never a sinner. It means he died the death we deserve. That he took our punishment for sin upon his own body on the cross.

We are said to be united to Christ in his righteousness.

2 Cor 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Gen 15:6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him (Abraham) as righteousness. Quoted in Romans 4:3 and applied to Christian's who have put their trust in Christ.

We are said to be sealed in Christ.

Eph 1:13-14 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

We are so intimately joined to Christ as to be said to be seated with him in the heavenly places.

Eph 2:5-6 ---even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved---and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

To be in Christ is a union so close as to be inseparable from him. So close that we begin to be like him, think like him, act like him, love God as he loved the Father. So in union with him that his Father is our Father and we call him Father too. We are not Christ, but we are so identified with him, that Jesus himself prayed in John 17 that we would all be one even as he and the Father are one. It means he is the Vine and we are the branches in that vine.

You post scripture (Rom 6) which speaks of being baptized into Christ. And Gal 3 speaks similarly.

Gal 3:26 - For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:27 - For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Gal 3:28 - There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:29 - And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

I understand this baptism into Christ to refer to water baptism.

However, if you ask a Pentecostal, and some other groups, they’ll tell you it refers to baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Do you think Pentecostals are correct or do they just do what others do by adding their own beliefs and ideas to the Scripture?

 

[Arial]

You post scripture (Rom 6) which speaks of being baptized into Christ. And Gal 3 speaks similarly.

Gal 3:26 - For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:27 - For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Gal 3:28 - There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:29 - And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

I understand this baptism into Christ to refer to water baptism.

However, if you ask a Pentecostal, and some other groups, they’ll tell you it refers to baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Do you think Pentecostals are correct or do they just do what others do by adding their own beliefs and ideas to the Scripture?

When Paul speaks of being baptized into Christ in Romans 6 he is not speaking specifically of water baptism or baptism of the Holy Spirit. Rather, consistent with the context, it means to be brought into fellowship with Christ. Water baptism is a sign of this, of belonging to the believing community, and the submersion represents our dying with him, and the bringing up out of the water, a sign of being resurrected with him. So there is a sense in which it refers to water baptism. The Holy Spirit is who we are baptised with and has nothing to do with these passages.

It doesn't matter what the Pentacostal's think. I am not discussing them.

 

[LeviR]

When Paul speaks of being baptized into Christ in Romans 6 he is not speaking specifically of water baptism or baptism of the Holy Spirit. Rather, consistent with the context, it means to be brought into fellowship with Christ. Water baptism is a sign of this, of belonging to the believing community, and the submersion represents our dying with him, and the bringing up out of the water, a sign of being resurrected with him. So there is a sense in which it refers to water baptism. The Holy Spirit is who we are baptised with and has nothing to do with these passages.

It doesn't matter what the Pentacostal's think. I am not discussing them.

Water baptism is said to be of repentance for the remission of sins. And so being, we are baptized INTO Christ. Therefore, to be baptized INTO Christ is to be IN Christ. Gal 3

Luk 3:3 - And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins,

Act 2:38 - Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Are you saying the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins is a misnomer?

See Rom 6, Gal 3

 

[Arial]

Are you saying the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins is a misnomer?

No.

 

[Alive]

I would like to see folks read the contents of ‘Salvation is Relocation’ to help understand the OP subject.
Click.

 

[Arial]

I would like to see folks read the contents of ‘Salvation is Relocation’ to help understand the OP subject.
Click.

What makes you think anyone had trouble understanding it? Why do you think it needs to be cleared up by something geared toward twelve year olds? Or that you can do a better job. Just curious so next time I can do better.

Just a thought. Wouldn't the best place for your own file be is in the New Christian Board instead of asking everyone to read it in various threads?

 

[Alive]

What makes you think anyone had trouble understanding it? Why do you think it needs to be cleared up by something geared toward twelve year olds? Or that you can do a better job. Just curious so next time I can do better.

Just a thought. Wouldn't the best place for your own file be is in the New Christian Board instead of asking everyone to read it in various threads?

“Help understand”. That’s all.

 

[Arial]

“Help understand”. That’s all.

Right.

 

[LeviR]

No.

I would think that someone who believes the gospel of the kingdom of God and is baptized into Christ is IN Christ.
To say otherwise is a denial of Galatians 3

Gal 3:26 - For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:27 - For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Gal 3:28 - There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:29 - And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Do you see any way that scripture can be twisted?

 

[Arial]

I would think that someone who believes the gospel of the kingdom of God and is baptized into Christ is IN Christ.
To say otherwise is a denial of Galatians 3

I don't know why you think I said anything that disagrees with that.

 

[Mr GLee]

Water baptism is said to be of repentance for the remission of sins. And so being, we are baptized INTO Christ. Therefore, to be baptized INTO Christ is to be IN Christ. Gal 3

Luk 3:3 - And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins,

Act 2:38 - Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Are you saying the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins is a misnomer?

See Rom 6, Gal 3

Water baptism is a ceremonial law as a sign to the unbelieving world. Given on a volunteer bases.

The priesthood of believer's comes with a loving warning not to add or subtract from the living word of God as some sort of sign as evidence of having eternal life. The look I did it, it proves it.

Aarons two sons the witness of two added look I did it (strange fire) proves it . The fire consumed them, not a hint of smoke on the ceremonial shadow attire .

God will not share his glory with a dying creation.

Evidence of Christ the husband working in us His bride. . is a new born again heart that desires to do the will and empower us to finish to his good pleasure . to both will and to do.

Hebrews 6 calls it the better thing that accompanies salvation .Our father will not forget the god works we can do yoked with Him .

Hebrews 6:8-10 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

The of priest male nad female from all nations The gospel sign to the world .

 

[LeviR]

I don't know why you think I said anything that disagrees with that.

I didn’t think that.
I was pointing out that being baptized(water)into Christ is to be IN Christ.

If being baptized into Christ puts one IN Christ, it might be a good idea to be baptized.

 

[Arial]

I didn’t think that.
I was pointing out that being baptized(water)into Christ is to be IN Christ.

If being baptized into Christ puts one IN Christ, it might be a good idea to be baptized.

Water baptism does not put one in Christ. If it did, something in addition to faith would be needed for salvation. That is contrary to the biblical teaching that the work of Christ is sufficient for salvation.

Paul reports on his confrontation with Peter on the very subject of adding things to faith in the work of Christ for salvation in Gal 2 and 4. In Eph 2:8-9 it tells us we are saved by grace through faith---not through faith and baptism. Water baptism is covenant sign that one has been baptised into Christ by faith. It is a sign of being a part of the new covenant community. It depicts metaphorically that the old has died with Christ and been raised to newness of life with him.

 

[LeviR]

Water baptism does not put one in Christ. If it did, something in addition to faith would be needed for salvation. That is contrary to the biblical teaching that the work of Christ is sufficient for salvation.

Paul reports on his confrontation with Peter on the very subject of adding things to faith in the work of Christ for salvation in Gal 2 and 4. In Eph 2:8-9 it tells us we are saved by grace through faith---not through faith and baptism. Water baptism is covenant sign that one has been baptised into Christ by faith. It is a sign of being a part of the new covenant community. It depicts metaphorically that the old has died with Christ and been raised to newness of life with him.

It was an act of faith that the Jews came to the Jordan to be baptized. If they had no faith, they would not have come.
They believed their Messiah had come and so they went by faith to Jordan.

 

[Mr GLee]

I didn’t think that.
I was pointing out that being baptized(water)into Christ is to be IN Christ.

If being baptized into Christ puts one IN Christ, it might be a good idea to be baptized.

If water that evaporates, like a Ponce DeLeón. I got wet fountain of youth could create new creatures then there would be no need for the water of the living word as doctrines of Christ that do fall like rain and create green things.

Deuteronomy 32King James Version32 Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the (baptizing) words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:

A companion parable . Manna the unknown will of God .coming down like rain setting on the dew that separates the pure word from the corrupted earth. Taste like honey, color like the 12 pearl gates.

The wilderness parable

Exodus 16:11 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the Lord your God.And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host. And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground. And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the Lord hath given you to eat.

 

[LeviR]

He who believes and is baptized shall be saved.

Belief leads one to be baptized. Being baptized is a work of faith.

Some say this baptism spoken of above refers to Holy Spirit baptism. I disagree.

 

[Mr GLee]

He who believes and is baptized shall be saved.

Belief leads one to be baptized. Being baptized is a work of faith.

Some say this baptism spoken of above refers to Holy Spirit baptism. I disagree.

Two kinds of baptisms H20 a ceremonial shadow to the world as a parable. And the spiritual cleaning which the shadows point towards the invisible spiritual.

One leads as a sign. "Let there be" the other follows "it was God alone good".

The eternal with the temporal seen must be mixed. Then we can rest in his interpretation or understanding. . freely given to us a baptism of the Spirit of Christ . . washing (baptizing) and renewing with the water of the word .Same doctrines of Christ that fall like rain that we can try and wash our own family with.

Ephesians 5:25-27King James Version25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

 

[Arial]

It was an act of faith that the Jews came to the Jordan to be baptized. If they had no faith, they would not have come.
They believed their Messiah had come and so they went by faith to Jordan.

John was baptizing before Messiah showed up as well a after. That baptism was a baptism of repentance, not salvation. It was in preparation of his imminent coming. "Behold the voice of one crying in the wilderness---" (Before) "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." (After.)

Christian baptism did not begin until Christ's work among us was complete and he returned to the Father where he was before he came to us.

 

[makesends]

Are you saying the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins is a misnomer?

Even in English, and certainly in Greek, "for" has a whole range of meaning, not just in scale but in kind of meaning. 'For' doesn't only ever mean, "for the purpose of", nor, "resulting in", nor even, "as a result of", nor even, "in keeping with", nor many others.

Just because you like one use of it doesn't make that the true use.