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38. Identified with Christ

31st March 2004 by Arthur Eedle

After the resurrection, the Twelve Apostles preached a Risen Christ. Their message was about Repentance, and the acceptance of Jesus as the Messiah. Added to this, they made known the power of the Holy Spirit, available to all who believe, whereby one may have power to walk a life well pleasing to God.

But God had another purpose in mind, over and above all that the Apostles were preaching, and to make it known He chose Saul of Tarsus, and sent him away into Arabia to be alone, and to obtain a revelation that had never been known before. This revelation concerned the Headship of Christ over all creation, both in heaven and upon earth. Furthermore, it revealed God’s plan to redeem all mankind. Whereas Adam was the head of all previous humanity, Christ, as the Second Adam became Head over all. When He died, the whole of Adam’s race, past, present and future, died with Him. Their sins were laid upon Him, and no longer imputed to mankind. This is a spiritual truth, waiting to be revealed to all. Some understand it in this life, others later.

Paul reveals this teaching by the use of a series of 19 Greek words that either have the prefix SUN- added to them, or SUN CHRISTO, showing how we are to be IDENTIFIED WITH CHRIST. (The Greek preposition, or prefix, SUN, means “together with.”) None of the other NT writers use this type of language. The chart has listed all these occurrences, showing God’s remedial plan operating IN CHRIST, as we are taken down into His death, raised to life, and then given the promise of further blessing under certain conditions.

  1. I am crucified with Christ. Rom.6:6 Gal.2:20 Sustauroo
  2. Made conformable to His death. Phil.3:10 Summorphoomai
  3. Planted together in the likeness of His death. Rom.6:5 Sumphutos
  4. Died with Christ. Rom.6:8, Col.2:20, 2 Tim.2:211. Sun Christo
  5. Buried with Him. Rom.6:4 Sunthaptomai
  6. Made alive with Christ. Eph.2:5, Col.2:13 Suzopoio
  7. We shall live together with Him. Rom.6:8, 2 Tim.2:11 Suzao
  8. Your life hidden with Christ in God. Col.3:3 Sun Christo
  9. Raised with Him. Eph.2:6, Col.2:12 Sunegeiro
  10. Fellow-citizens of the household of God. Eph.2:19 Sumpolites
  11. A Joint Body. Eph.3:6 Sussoma
  12. Built together into a dwelling place. Eph.2:22 Sunoikodomeo
  13. Joint heirs. Rom.8:17, Eph.3:6 Sunkleronomos
  14. Joint Partakers. Eph.3:6 Summetokos
  15. Fashioned together into His likeness. Rom.8:29, Phil.3:21 Summorphos
  16. Seated together with Christ. Eph.2:6 Sunkathizo
  17. Reign together with Christ. 2 Tim.2:12 Sumbasileuo
  18. Glorified together. Rom.8:17 Sundoxazo
  19. We shall appear with Him in glory. Col.3:4 Sun Christo

Let us now see the manner in which identification happens. First of all, in respect of Christ’s death, we have the following truths to hold on to.

He gave Himself a ransom for ALL. 1 Timothy 2:6

One died for ALL, therefore ALL have died. 2 Corinthians 5:14

The grace of God that brings salvation to ALL MEN has appeared.  Titus 2:11

The free-gift came unto ALL MEN to justification of life.  Romans 5:18

He is the Saviour of ALL MEN, especially those who believe.  1 Timothy 4:10

It is abundantly clear that all men are included in the death of Christ. When He died, judicially all mankind died with Him. The whole of the Adamic race received the death sentence. But not only so, Paul follows on to say that a FREE GIFT of life was equally bestowed upon all men unto justification. This is the great Universalist message. But as yet we do not SEE this at work. We only see a remnant being called out of darkness. But God’s plan is for all, and in due course the greater work will begin.

The next item to be observed concerns BEING MADE ALIVE. We have two definitive texts to rely on, as follows,

As in Adam ALL die, so in Christ shall ALL be made alive.  1 Corinthians 15:22

Behold, I make ALL things new. . . These words are faithful and true. Rev. 21:5.

There can be no mistake about God’s intention. He plans redemption and reconciliation for all. That is His purpose, and in the ages to come it will be enacted to His glory.

These are the two areas where the word ALL applies without exception. But now we come to the word RESURRECTION, and observe the way in which Paul speaks about it.

ALL shall be made alive, BUT each one in his own rank.  1 Corinthians 15:23

From now on a distinction is made. The foundation stone of NEW LIFE has been laid, but everything that follows flows according to faith-obedience. The “hidden treasure” is revealed “in the field”, but we have to “sell all” in order to get it. There are various “ranks” in resurrection life. Our Lord spoke to the Sadducees about Those who are accounted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from among the dead. Luke 20:35. John wrote, saying, Blessed and holy are those who have a part in the FIRST RESURRECTION. Revelation 20:6.  Paul wrote to the Philippians after about 23 years of active service for the Lord, saying that he didn’t even then believe he had reached the goal. But he struggled on to be part of the Out-resurrection, out from among dead ones. Phil.3:11. The compound Greek word emphasises the resurrection PRIOR to the general resurrection.

We then read about becoming JOINT HEIRS WITH CHRIST in Rom.8:17. But in that very verse Paul places a condition – Joint-heirs with Christ, IF we suffer with Him. The suffering speaks about a faithfulness of walk, a building of gold, silver, and precious stones upon the Christ-foundation. Nothing therefore is automatic “for the taking.” Those who read all the “identification” statements without coupling them with the “conditional” statements may very well find themselves embarrassed in the final outcome.

What about being “seated with Christ”?  When Paul mentions it in Ephesians 2:6 he may have given the impression that it was an accomplished fact for all who believe. But the New Testament taken as a whole, shows the error in such a judgment. Take for example Rev.3:21. To him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with Me in my throne. Promises from God are always conditional. It is only our redemption in Christ which is a free gift, quite apart from anything we do. All seven churches are addressed by our Lord in Revelation, and each is given promises, but these promises are reserved for “him who overcomes.”  Paul said to the Romans that we can be “more than conquerors (Gr. overcomers) though Him who loves us.” Rom.8:37. What is involved in “overcoming”? What needs to be overcome?  First of all, we need to overcome our own besetting sins through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Having conquered ourselves, we need to turn our attentions to “wrestling with principalities and powers, and the world-rulers of darkness.”  Eph.6:12. This is tough, because “our adversary the Devil, as a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom he may devour.”  1 Peter 5:8

The same may be said about “reigning with Christ.”  See 2 Tim.2:12-13.

If we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him.

If we deny Him {the suffering} He will deny us {the reigning}.

Do you seek to be “glorified with Christ”?  Then Paul tells us in Rom.8:17, “. . if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”  Once again the subject of suffering comes up. Paul likened our Christian lives to ATHLETES, and SOLDIERS. In 2 Tim.2:5 he said, An athlete is not crowned unless he has acted in accordance with the rules. And in respect of our military duties, no one in the military involves himself with the affairs of life, that he may please Him who has chosen him to be a soldier.

These notes have been written to combat the mistaken impression rife, for example, in dispensational circles,  that all the glories are “up for grabs” regardless of one’s manner of life. As a final word, we do well to ponder Paul’s statement once again.

“That I may know the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His death, if by any means I might attain to the out-resurrection out from among the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either been perfected, but I follow after , if that I may apprehend that for which I am also apprehended by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I count not myself to have apprehended, but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth to that which is in front, I press towards the mark for the prize of the calling on high of God in Christ Jesus. Let us all who are mature be thus minded.”

Filed Under: The Wellspring Tagged With: Expository Items

About Arthur Eedle

Arthur was born in 1931, and became a Christian in 1948. At London University he gained a 2nd honours degree in Physics. He went on to get a Teaching Diploma, and throughout his career life taught physics in England, Kenya, and Hong Kong. Coupled with his love of science, he was a keen student of Greek and Hebrew, and gave many lectures on Biblical subjects. Read more

The Wellspring

1. God’s Megaphone

1st September 2001 By Arthur Eedle

2. Suicide

1st October 2001 By Arthur Eedle

3. Petra

12th October 2001 By Arthur Eedle

4. Two different Gods?

20th October 2001 By Arthur Eedle

5. I AM

23rd October 2001 By Arthur Eedle

6. “Not I but Christ”

25th October 2001 By Arthur Eedle

7. How I Love Your Law!

27th October 2001 By Arthur Eedle

8. The Jewish Problem

2nd November 2001 By Arthur Eedle

9. The Evaluation of Coincidence

15th November 2001 By Arthur Eedle

10. Gracious Uncertainty

30th April 2002 By Arthur Eedle

11. Jasper & Sardius

8th May 2002 By Arthur Eedle

12. Antithesis

19th May 2002 By Arthur Eedle

12a. The Essential Role of Free Will in Universal Reconciliation

17th June 2002 By Arthur Eedle

13. The Importance of Earnest

10th August 2002 By Arthur Eedle

14. The Millennium

14th August 2002 By Arthur Eedle

15. Cancer – A Personal Testimony

17th December 2002 By Arthur Eedle

16. C.S.Lewis on the New Year

1st January 2003 By Arthur Eedle

17. Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

5th January 2003 By Arthur Eedle

18. Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

12th January 2003 By Arthur Eedle

19. “The Intolerable Compliment”

12th January 2003 By Arthur Eedle

20. The Power and Practice of the Truth

22nd February 2003 By Arthur Eedle

21. The Power and Practice of the Lie

1st March 2003 By Arthur Eedle

22. The Use and Abuse of Power

8th March 2003 By Arthur Eedle

23. What on earth is happening?

29th July 2003 By Arthur Eedle

23a. A reply to “What on earth is happening?”

4th August 2003 By Arthur Eedle

24. Equality

17th August 2003 By Arthur Eedle

25. Paul to the “Ephesians”

31st August 2003 By Arthur Eedle

26. Mystery

3rd September 2003 By Arthur Eedle

27. Ephesians 1:15-23

10th September 2003 By Arthur Eedle

28. Ephesians 2:1-10

27th September 2003 By Arthur Eedle

29. Ephesians 2:11-22

6th October 2003 By Arthur Eedle

30. Cain and Abel

19th January 2004 By Arthur Eedle

31. Laying the Foundation of the Lord’s House

1st February 2004 By Arthur Eedle

32. Tomorrow’s Bread

22nd February 2004 By Arthur Eedle

33. Grace Parables

27th February 2004 By Arthur Eedle

34. The Responsibility Factor

5th March 2004 By Arthur Eedle

35a. Our Wilderness Journey. Part 1

13th March 2004 By Arthur Eedle

35b. Our Wilderness Journey. Part 2

14th March 2004 By Arthur Eedle

36. Genetic Modification in the Bible

20th March 2004 By Arthur Eedle

37. Arthur’s Testimony

28th March 2004 By Arthur Eedle

38. Identified with Christ

31st March 2004 By Arthur Eedle

39. It Would Have Been Better…

6th April 2004 By Arthur Eedle

40a. Friday’s Man was nailed upon a Cross

9th April 2004 By Arthur Eedle

40b. Sunday’s Man was nowhere to be found

11th April 2004 By Arthur Eedle

41. Jeremiah’s Cryptogram

11th May 2004 By Arthur Eedle

43. The Gospel of Humanism

14th August 2004 By Arthur Eedle

44. Cosmetic Christianity

5th September 2004 By Arthur Eedle

45. EXPERIENCE versus KNOWLEDGE

6th September 2004 By Arthur Eedle

46. “Just a wearyin’ for you”

13th September 2004 By Arthur Eedle

47. Islam by ex-Muslims

24th September 2004 By Arthur Eedle

48. Six Particular Men

9th April 2006 By Arthur Eedle

49. Ten “Everlasting” wonders in Isaiah

13th April 2006 By Arthur Eedle

50a. Missing the Mark. Part 1

18th April 2006 By Arthur Eedle

50b. Missing the Mark. Part 2

21st April 2006 By Arthur Eedle

51. The Mark of the Beast

29th April 2006 By Arthur Eedle

52. Irreducible Complexity

2nd May 2006 By Arthur Eedle

53. No historical Jesus?

4th July 2006 By Arthur Eedle

54. The Power of God’s Spoken Word

17th March 2007 By Arthur Eedle

55. God’s chosen fast

19th April 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56a. Resurrection and the Change – Part 1

1st May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56b. Resurrection and the Change – Part 2

7th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56c. Resurrection and the Change – Part 3

10th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56d. Resurrection and the Change – Part 4

12th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56e. Resurrection and the Change – Part 5

13th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56f. Resurrection and the Change – Part 6

14th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56g. Resurrection and the Change – Part 7

15th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56h. Resurrection and the Change – Part 8

16th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56i. Resurrection and the Change – Part 9

17th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56j. Resurrection and the Change – Part 10

18th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56k. Resurrection and the Change – Part 11

21st May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56l. Resurrection and the Change – Part 12

22nd May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56m. Resurrection and the Change – Part 13

23rd May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56n. Resurrection and the Change – Part 14

24th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56o. Resurrection and the Change – Part 15

25th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56p. Resurrection and the Change – Part 16

27th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57a. Before He Comes – Part 1

31st May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57b. Before He Comes – Part 2

8th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57c. Before He Comes – Part 3

10th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57d. Before He Comes – Part 4

11th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57e. Before He Comes – Part 5

12th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57f. Before He Comes – Part 6

13th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57g. Before He Comes – Part 7

14th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57h. Before He Comes – Part 8

18th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57i. Before He Comes – Part 9

19th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57j. Before He Comes – Part 10

24th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57k. Before He Comes – Part 11

29th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57l. Before He Comes – Part 12

30th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57m. Before He Comes – Part 13

3rd July 2007 By Arthur Eedle

58. Free Will Versus God’s Sovereignty

28th August 2007 By Arthur Eedle

59. Rules of Engagement

10th October 2007 By Arthur Eedle

60. Cameo. Part 1

15th October 2007 By Arthur Eedle

61. Cameo. Part 2

18th October 2007 By Arthur Eedle

62. Cameo. Part 3

26th October 2007 By Arthur Eedle

63. Cameo. Part 4

28th October 2007 By Arthur Eedle

64. In His Hands

1st November 2007 By Arthur Eedle

65. The Starlings

5th November 2007 By Arthur Eedle

66. “Dead Truth”

13th November 2007 By Arthur Eedle

67. “Dead Sin”

18th November 2007 By Arthur Eedle

68. “Dead Faith” and “Dead Works”

2nd December 2007 By Arthur Eedle

69. “Dead Worship”

18th December 2007 By Arthur Eedle

70. A Pseudo-Bunyan Author

19th March 2008 By Arthur Eedle

Article Series

  • All our Yesterdays (30)
  • Before He comes (13)
  • God's Spoken Word (37)
  • Mysteries of Science & Faith (8)
  • New Series (101)
  • Newsletter (2)
  • Original Series (109)
  • Prophecy considerations (5)
  • Recognising the Hand of Judgment (33)
  • Resurrection and Change (16)
  • Seekers Corner (14)
  • Simple Statements on Serious Subjects (6)
  • The City of God (18)
  • The Millennial Octave (23)
  • The Restitution Times (22)
  • The Song of Solomon (6)
  • The Standard (19)
  • The Wayside Pulpit (107)
  • The Wayside Pulpit 2015 (96)
  • The Wellspring (101)
  • The Wellspring 2017 (55)

Index of Topics

Arthur & Rosalind Eedle's Personal Testimonies Discipleship Expository Items Good and Evil Human Pre-Existance Jane Leade. Philadelphian Numerology in the Bible Quotations from other Authors Resurrection and the Change Ron Wyatt. Archaeology Science Topics The Kingdom of God the Millennium and the Return of Christ The Sabbath Day Universal Reconcilliation

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