In Christ?

[Van]

Romans 8:1 makes clear we are no longer condemned if we are "in Christ." But our unholiness, as "made sinners" resulted in our being not within God, but separated from God. So how did our spiritual location go from being "in Adam" or "in the realm of darkness" to being "in Christ or in Him?

NT scripture describes this spiritual transfer using several different terms. John says we believe into Christ or Him. Paul says we were "baptized" into Christ. Peter says we were called into His kingdom. John also says we were "given" to Him. And Paul also says we were transferred out of the realm of darkness and into the kingdom of His Beloved Son, Colossians 1:13.

All the terms refer to God acting on us to cause the relocation, except for John's curious phrase "believe into Him." Most people realize we do not put ourselves into Christ by willing to be saved and trusting to some degree in Christ's promise. Romans 9:16 makes clear to most that our thoughts or actions do not cause or merit our salvation, as salvation depends on the One who calls us into His kingdom.

So to what was John referring when he used the phrase "believe into Christ" dozens of times, including John 3:16.

The answer is found in Romans Chapter 4, which says God credits the faith of some as righteousness, who believe God raised Jesus from the dead. Thus if God credits our faith in the name of Jesus as righteousness, He then transfers us into Christ.

 

[Van]

John 2:11
This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee,
and revealed His glory;
and His disciples
believed into Him.

 

[Van]

John 3:18
“The one who believes into Him is not judged; the one who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed into the name of the uniquely divine Son of God.

What aspects of Christ's attributes are in view here? As Lord and Savior!

 

[Van]

If you review Romans 4:19-22 you will see that Abraham actually believe God would fulfill His promise (that he would be the father of many nations, Romans 4:18) which resulted in God crediting Abraham's faith as righteousness.

And, if you continue reading, Romans 4:23 and following, you see the action of God crediting faith as righteousness was not only for Abraham's benefit, but also for the future benefit of those who believe God raised Jesus from the dead, and believe Jesus was sacrificed for our wrongdoings, and believe His sacrifice provided justification into eternal life. Or in other words, the name of Jesus Christ, or as John put it, the name of the uniquely divine Son of God.

The gospel of Christ!