Positional Truth
At the time of his personal salvation, the Christian believer
enters into a spiritual union with Jesus Christ and remains in
that position forever. "Positional Truth" is the formal
title for that wide class of Bible teaching on the subject of
the Christian's position in (union with) Jesus Christ.
Union with Christ makes available to the believer a great number
of spiritual benefits. These benefits can be used and enjoyed
continuously during the believer's remaining lifetime and will
continue into eternity.
The nature of the believer's position in Christ was foretold by
the Lord Jesus Himself: (1) in the Bread of Life discourse, John
6:56; (2) in the Good Shepherd discourse, John 10:16; and (3)
in the Upper Room discourse, John 14:20.
The Christian is placed spiritually in Christ through a mechanism
known as the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. These mechanics are described
in 1 Cor. 12:13 and Gal. 3:27,28. (A study of the seven baptisms
of the Bible is a prerequisite to an understanding of the Baptism
of the Holy Spirit.)
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit was foretold by Christ in Acts
1:5,8. This occurred for the first time on the Day of Pentecost,
Acts 2:1-4 cf. 11:15,16. Therefore, Union with Christ was experienced
by believers for the first time on the Day of Pentecost, making
it an experience unique to Church Age believers.
Union with Christ is a fact for all believers, spiritual or carnal.
1 Cor. 1:2; cf. 1:11; 3:1-4
The believer's position in Christ makes him a "new creature"
in Christ, 2 Cor. 5:17.
The Christian is "in Christ" and has become a "new
creature" in that he has a new birth, a new human spirit,
and has the ability now to have fellowship with God. "Old
things have passed away", spiritual death is done away, and
"all things are become new", spiritual life is begun.
Union with Christ has several immediate results for every believer:
* Regeneration: Titus 3:5; John 3:5,6; Eph. 2:1-5.
* The Indwelling Holy Spirit: 1Cor. 6:19
* The Sealing of the Holy Spirit: Eph. 1:13; 4:30.
* The Baptism of the Holy Spirit: 1 Cor. 12:13.
* Spiritual Gifts: 1 Cor. 12:11.
The following is a list of the characteristics of the believer's
Union with Christ:
* Union with Christ is a fact, not an experience. One is united
with Christ regardless of how he feels.
* Union with Christ is not progressive; it cannot be improved
upon; we receive it in total at salvation.
* Union with Christ is not commanded by God; it is given by God
at salvation.
* This Union is permanent; it will never be taken away; it does
not depend upon our faithfulness; it depends on the faithfulness
of God.
* This doctrine can be understood only with a thorough study of
the related Bible passages.
Union with the Lord Jesus Christ is a guarantee of eternal security,
Rom. 8:35-39; 1 John 5:11,12; Rom. 8:1.
Union with Christ is current in that the believer is identified
with Christ in His life and shares with Christ in certain aspects
of His life, Eph. 3:1-14.
* We share in His election, Eph. 1:4.
* We share in His destiny, Eph. 1:5,11.
* We share in His sonship, Eph. 1:5; Heb. 2:10; Gal. 3:26.
* We obtain the +Righteousness of Christ, 2 Cor. 5:21.
* We share in Christ's inheritance, Rom. 8:16,17; Gal. 4:7.
* We share in His holiness, 1 Cor. 1:30.
* We share His priesthood, 1 Pet. 2:5,9.
* We share in His Kingdom, Col. 1:13; 2 Pet. 1:11.
* We share in His resurrection, Eph. 2:6.
* We share in His life, Eph. 2:5; Col. 2:13; 1 John 5:11,12.
* In Him we have redemption and forgiveness of sins, Eph. 1:7;
Col. 1:14.
Union with Christ makes every believer equal at the point of salvation,
Gal. 3:27,28.
Union with Christ makes the believer perfect in the sight of God,
Col. 2:9,10.
Bible illustrations of Union with Christ:
* Vine and Branches, John 15
* Head and Body, Eph. 1:22,23
* Bridegroom and Bride, Rev. 19:7-9; 21:9; Eph. 5:27
* Shepherd and Flock, John 10:16
* Chief cornerstone and building, 1 Pet. 2:4,5
* High Priest and Priesthood, Heb. 4:14; 5:5,6,10, cf. 1 Peter
2:5
Union with Christ is the doctrinal basis for spirituality, Rom.
6:1-13.
Union with Christ is the basis for the spiritual technique of
occupation with Christ, Col. 3:1-4.
Union with Christ is illustrated by and testified to by water
baptism. The believer is identified with Christ in His death,
burial, and resurrection.