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Our Identification in Christ!

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The word baptism simply means identification. It does not always refer to water baptism. In Scripture, there are dry baptisms and there are wet baptisms.

1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

The moment we believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for all of our sins on the cross, was buried (put them away by the sacrifice of Himself (Heb. 9:26)), and rose again the third day (1 Cor. 15:1-4) we are instantly baptized at that very moment by the Holy Spirit into the one Body (Eph. 4:5).

This work of baptizing is completed entirely by the operation of God.

Colossians 2:11-13 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

According to Colossians, we are “circumcised with the circumcision made without [human] hands.” This is of course referring to Christ’s death. We were spiritually circumcised when we were crucified with Christ. We were also “buried with him in baptism.” Christ was not buried in water when He died. And finally it says that “ye are also risen with him.”  When we believe on Him and His finished work on the cross, we become identified with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. For the very first words of verse 11 are “in whom (Christ).” In Christ, we are circumcised, we are baptized into, and we are raised from the dead. And all of this is by “the faith of the operation of God.”

This is what makes each and every one of us “complete in Him” (Col. 2:10). We are not made perfect or complete by works, by water baptism, by physical circumcision, etc. Instead, we are made perfect by Christ’s work on the cross. We are made perfect by His own shed blood. His death paid for all of our sins. His burial buried all of our sins away forever out of His sight. His resurrection is proof that His death was sufficient as the payment for our sins. Romans 4:25 “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” He was delivered to the cross for our sins; and He rose again so that you and I could be justified and have eternal life. The author of Hebrews even tells the Jews that were under the law that the man that performed the service (washing, sacrifices, etc.) (Heb. 9:9,10) was not made perfect or complete by those things. But, instead, it was only when Christ came to provide them a “greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands (Heb. 9:11)” that would make them complete.

Here are some more verses showing our identification with Christ.

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. How were we baptized into Christ? By one Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13).

Romans 6:3-4 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

I am, as well as every other believer in Christ Jesus, baptized into Christ by the Holy Spirit. We are identified with His death, burial, and resurrection. His work is finished and complete. It is perfect. Therefore, we are made perfect too!

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Super Abound, more and more

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perisseúō means “to super abound.” Paul uses the word 22 times in his epistles.

hyperperisseúō means “to super abound even more.” Paul uses it twice (and it is only found twice in the whole Bible).

Here is just a sampling of them. We won’t go through every one of them.

Romans 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded [super abounded] unto many.

The grace of God, and the gift by grace, is by one man. That one man is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Through Adam sin entered the world and so therefore, so did death (Rom. 5:12). But, by one man (Jesus Christ) the grace of God, which is a free gift, has super abounded unto many and has brought the gift of eternal life. Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound [hyperperisseúō].

Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

The God of hope (the one true God) is the source of all the hope that the believer has and will ever need. He is able to fill us with all joy and peace when we first believe. When we believe, God makes us to super abound in hope (a confident expectation). We can confidently expect to be with Him in Heaven someday (Titus 2:13).

2 Corinthians 1:5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

Here it says that the very sufferings of Christ abound or super abound in us, as well as our consolation or comfort. It is all “by Christ.” His suffering on the cross is what saves us and it’s because He rose again from the dead that our faith is not in vain (1 Cor. 15:14). We are baptized by the Holy Spirit into the one Body (the Body of Christ) (Eph. 4:5; 1 Cor. 12:13). We are identified with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. He died on the cross for our sins, so that you and I can have eternal life in the heavenlies in Him.

2 Corinthians 3:9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

While the law of Moses (the ministration of condemnation) is glorious, the ministration of righteousness super abounds much more than the law. The law is a perfect law displaying the righteousness of God Himself. We could never come close to keeping it. As Romans 3:20 says, “for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” The law reveals that we are sinners and have sinned against God and continue to come short of His glory (Rom. 3:24). But, God did something for each and every one of us. He has revealed His righteousness apart from or without the law (Rom. 3:21). It is offered to all (anyone can believe it), but it is granted only to those who believe that Jesus Christ our Lord died on the cross for their sins, was buried, and rose again the third day. We are “justified [declared righteous] freely [without a cause] by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

In Ephesians chapter 1, Paul lists several spiritual blessings that we have in our Lord Jesus Christ. These blessings include being chosen in Him before the foundation of the world, being predestinated to the adoption of children, being accepted in the Beloved [Beloved One], having redemption, and the forgiveness of sins. God has super abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence. He has planned before the foundation of the world to bless every believer who puts their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross.

Philippians 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

Paul prays here that members of the Body of Christ might have love (agape) that super abounds. And if that wasn’t enough, he further prays that it would abound yet more and more. He also adds that it should abound more and more in knowledge and in all judgment (discernment). Some churches focus too much on “love” and not enough on teaching or studying of God’s Word. And other churches maybe do a lot of studying/teaching that they may be lacking on the “love.” However, Paul stresses both at the same time. Our love should super abound more and more everyday, while still growing in knowledge and in all judgment. They should be balanced.

Colossians 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Here we are told to be abounding in Christ (in the one Body) with thanksgiving. We need to edify (build up) one another. We need to help each other grow in the Lord. We need to give thanks that we are one Body. We need to give thanks that we are stablished in the faith (which we all believed).

Eternally Secure in the Lord

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Those who have put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ’s finished work on the cross are eternally secure. Once they believe that Christ died for all of their sins on the cross, was buried (He put away all those sins by the sacrifice of Himself (Heb. 9:26)), and rose again on the third day (1 Cor. 15:3-4), then they are made the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor. 5:21). They cannot lose their salvation. They have eternal security in the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

We are

  1. Baptized by the Holy Spirit into Christ (1 Cor. 12:13)
  2. Complete in Him (Col. 2:10)
  3. Indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:9)
  4. Sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13-14)
    • The Holy Spirit is God’s earnest deposit to us. (2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5)
  5. Promised by God unto eternal life (Titus 1:2)
  6. Already seen in God’s eyes to be raised and made to sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Eph. 2:4-6)

Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

To sum up, as Titus 1:2  says concerning our hope (earnest expectation) of eternal life, it says that God cannot lie. For he has planned before the world began that every believer will have eternal life in Him (in Christ). This gift of eternal life is offered to all, but is only granted to those who believe (Rom. 3:22). The Lord Jesus Christ has paid for all of your sins by shedding His own blood upon the cross of Calvary, burying all of yours sins away forever, and rising again the third day. All you have to do is take God at His Word. Just simply believe that His Son, Jesus Christ, died for you and your sins, was buried, and rose again the third day! Once you believe, you will be made the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor. 5:21).

Election: What is it and What is it not?

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According to Calvinism, the doctrine of election teaches that God has chosen only certain people to be saved. That is, God has only selected some to believe. Some Calvinists, not all, even will say that God has chosen all the rest (those who He didn’t choose to be saved) to be condemned. However, that is not the true Scriptural teaching of the Word of God. To be elected, does not mean chosen to be saved or chosen to be condemned. Instead, election refers to being chosen to a position of service. We will look at the election of Christ, the election of Israel, the election of the 12 Apostles, the election of the Body of Christ, and the election of the Apostle Paul.

The Election of Christ:

The first time we find election in the Bible is Isa. 42:1.

Isa. 42:1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

This verse is speaking of our Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is God’s (God the Father) elect or chosen one. We know this is speaking of Christ, because it is quoted in Matt. 12:18-21. We will see that Scripture defines “election” to mean “to call someone out for a specific purpose.” In other words, they were chosen for a position of service, not to be saved. And this makes sense when we think of the Lord Himself. He didn’t need to be saved, for He knew no sin. He was never lost to begin with. He is God in the flesh. Instead, He was chosen for a specific purpose. In this verse, it says that He would “bring judgment to the Gentiles.” The Lord was given as the passage in Isaiah continues in verse 6, “for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles.” The “people” in this verse are the children of Israel. He was not chosen unto salvation, but to be a channel of blessing to the people of the earth.

Concerning the Dispensation of the Grace of God today and the gospel of the grace of God, we are also told in 1 Tim. 2:6 that Christ “gave Himself for a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” Verse seven goes on to say that this is the reason why Paul was made (ordained) a preacher and an apostle. “To be a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.” 1 Cor. 1:23 tells us that we “preach Christ crucified,” which is in contrast to the Jews seeking signs and the Greeks seeking wisdom.

1 Cor. 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are [being] saved it is the power of God.

The Lord Jesus Christ was chosen or elected by God the Father to be a blessing to the world, not to be saved. He was chosen to the position of our Savior.

The Election of Israel:

Isa. 45:4 For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.

Now, Israel is called God’s elect. This does not mean that all who were in Israel were saved (Rom. 9:6). An individual still needed to exercise faith as well as perform certain works. In order for an individual to be identified with the chosen nation of Israel, they needed to be circumcised (Gen. 17:9-14). Gentiles also could be identified with Israel if they too be circumcised (Gen. 17:12). Gentiles needed to go through the nation to be saved. They didn’t have direct access to God like you and I do today. Ephesians 2:11-12 explains the Gentile’s past position under the law. Among the items listed, one of those things were that they were “without God.” That is because God had chosen Israel to serve Him, under the law, to bring blessing to the rest of the nations. Israel was elect through the covenant that God made with them. To them were “committed the oracles of God (Rom. 3:2).” Christ, in chapter 42, was said to be chosen to be a “covenant of the people.” In other words, those who identified with Israel by being circumcised were therefore, identified with Christ Himself through the covenant. Therefore, they were elect.

Deut. 7:7 – They were chosen because of the covenant that God made with their fathers (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob).

Rom. 9:11-13 – Jacob and Esau represented the two nations in Rebekah’s womb (Gen. 25:23). God didn’t choose one individual to be saved over the other.

To sum up, Israel was elected to be a channel of blessing and salvation to the Gentile nations. This is based on God’s promise to Abraham in Gen. 12:2-3. They were chosen to serve God as being a channel of blessing to the rest of the world. They were not chosen to be saved.

Gen. 12:2-3 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

The Election of the 12 Apostles:

Luke 6:13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;

We see again, this time with the 12 Apostles, that they too were not chosen to be saved, but to serve God. For example, Judas Iscariot is named as one of the Apostles (Luke 6:16). And in Acts 1:17, it is said of Judas that he was “numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.” Judas was elected to be one of the twelve apostles, but he was not elected to be saved. For Christ knew that Judas was an unbeliever, a traitor, because He said Himself in John 6:70 that one of them (one of the apostles) is a devil.

And then with the choosing of a new Apostle, the lot fell upon Matthias. Matthias was then chosen to take the place of Judas so that he could “take part of this ministry and apostleship” (Acts 1:25). Again the twelve were chosen to a position of service. They were not chosen to be saved.

John 13:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

This verse is important because it tells us that while the Apostles went out to preach to people, including Judas, the people who came by faith under their teaching genuinely received Christ, the Father, and themselves as well as the message they were proclaiming. Once again God hasn’t elected any of these people to be saved, but has elected those who would serve.

Election of the Body of Christ:

Eph. 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

The key words here are “in Him.” This is one of the spiritual blessings that we have in Christ. That is to be elected/chosen in Him. Paul doesn’t write here that we are chosen in Him before the foundation of the world, so that we would be saved. In other words, He doesn’t say that God chose us in Christ to be saved. Instead, it says we are “chosen in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.” He is calling us out to live separated lives unto Himself and separate from the world. Once we believe, we now have the honor of being “in Him” so that we can live for Him too.

Eph. 1:5 – “predestinated us unto the adoption of children [sons].” He didn’t predestinate us to be saved. Instead, He predestinated us to the adoption of sons.

Eph. 1:6 – Another spiritual blessing of being in Christ is being made “accepted in the Beloved.” If you believe the gospel, then you are “accepted in the Beloved.” It doesn’t say anything about God choosing who is accepted. Instead, everyone who happens to believe is, therefore, accepted.

Anyone can be saved and enjoy these spiritual blessings if they just believe the gospel of their salvation (Eph. 1:13). If they believe that Christ died for all their sins, was buried, and rose again the third day, then they automatically become identified in Christ. They are considered as being “in Him.” We are elected not to salvation,  but to live unto the Lord in order to be ambassadors for Christ to preach the gospel to the lost, so that they too can believe the gospel of their salvation and enjoy these same blessings.

While God chose Israel to be a channel of blessing to the earth under the Law, now He has chosen the Body of Christ to be that channel of blessing in the Dispensation of the Grace of God. Israel was chosen because of the covenant promise that was made with their fathers. The Body of Christ was chosen, on the other hand, entirely by the grace of God.

Election of the Apostle Paul:

While the 12 Apostles were given the ministry and message concerning the Kingdom on the earth(according to prophecy), Paul on the other hand was committed the ministry/message concerning the heavenly program (according to the revelation of the Mystery (Rom. 16:25)). In Matt. 19:28, Peter and the rest of the apostles were told they would “sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” In Phil. 3:20, Paul tells us that our “conversation [citizenship] is in heaven.”

Acts 9:15 – Paul was God’s chosen or elected vessel to go to Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. The twelve, on the other hand, were told to go to the Jews and then eventually the Gentile nations.

1 Cor. 1:1 – Paul was “called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God.” It was God’s choice that Paul be made an apostle.

1 Tim. 2:6 – He was appointed a preacher and teacher of the Gentiles. To proclaim the gospel that Christ died for the sins of the whole world and rose again the third day.

Ultimately, the Lord Jesus Christ is God’s elect. Election is not about God choosing certain people to be saved. Instead, it is about God choosing people to serve Him in different ways. Under the Law, God chose one nation, Israel, to proclaim the good news of the King and His Kingdom with twelve chosen apostles. Today, under the Dispensation of Grace, God has chosen to bless the world by proclaiming the message of the cross (1 Cor. 1:18) through the Body of Christ which has one apostle, the Apostle Paul.

Does Acts 13:48 prove Calvinism?

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Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

What it does not say? – It doesn’t say that God chooses or has chosen certain people to believe.


What it does say? – Instead, it simply states the fact that those who have eternal life (those ordained/appointed to eternal life) are the same ones that believed. In other words, those who believed are the same ones who have eternal life. That’s true! Certainly, those people who don’t believe are the ones that don’t have eternal life. But, God does not choose certain people to believe.

In context, we must look at Acts 13:38,39. Paul here is telling us the gospel. He is saying that through this “Man, Jesus Christ, is preached unto you (speaking to Jews and Gentiles) the forgiveness of sins.” All of the world’s sins have been paid for by the death of Christ on the cross. 2 Cor. 5:19 tells us that “God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing [not counting] their trespasses [sins] against them.” This doesn’t mean that everybody is saved yet. They still need to be declared righteous. Having righteousness is the same as having eternal life.

Rom. 3:22a says, “even the righteousness of God, through faith of Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.” The gospel (free gift of eternal life or righteousness) is offered to all, but it is only on all (conferred upon/granted to/awarded to) those who believe. What is that they have to believe? They need to believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for all of their sins, was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Cor. 15:3,4).

Now come back to Acts 13:39. “And by Him (Christ) everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Again, it’s only those people who believe that it is talking about. And out of those that believe, everyone of them is justified or declared righteous.

So, their is an elect group, who are the saved (it’s made up of believers). But, that doesn’t mean that God has chosen who those people are. They weren’t elected to be saved. He has offered salvation to all of mankind. Anyone can believe the gospel. And out of all the people that do believe, every single one of them are justified from all things. All those that believe are “made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:20).

So, (getting back to the verse) as many as are ordained to eternal life, those people are the ones that believed the gospel. In conclusion, it does not prove Calvinism.

For more reading material on Calvinism, check out The Power of God unto Salvation: Is the Gospel Enough? by Joel Finck