Who are "in Christ"?

[InChrist]

I have a question that I asked in another thread but thought it might be its own topic. Its a question that goes round and round in my mind and I would love to have some other's thoughts on the matter.

What constitutes being "in Christ"? Are Old Testament saints "in Christ" in the same manner as believers of this age are?

I ask this because 1 Cor 12:13 tells us that it is by the baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation that we are baptized into the Body of Christ, and this baptism of the Holy Spirit is unique to the Church age. It is those who are "in Christ" which make up the Church, so what does that make of the OT Saints of Israel?

 

[Allan]

I have a question that I asked in another thread but thought it might be its own topic. Its a question that goes round and round in my mind and I would love to have some other's thoughts on the matter.

What constitutes being "in Christ"? Are Old Testament saints "in Christ" in the same manner as believers of this age are?

I ask this because 1 Cor 12:13 tells us that it is by the baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation that we are baptized into the Body of Christ, and this baptism of the Holy Spirit is unique to the Church age. It is those who are "in Christ" which make up the Church, so what does that make of the OT Saints of Israel?

It still makes them saved, just not part of the CHurch. As you pointed out - we are baptized by the Holy Spirit in the death of Christ Jesus to raised like Him by that same power. BUT - we are also indwelt by the self same Spirit of God, somethnig no OT saint ever was. The Holy Spirit came upon them and left them but He will never leave us.

 

[Marcia]

I have a question that I asked in another thread but thought it might be its own topic. Its a question that goes round and round in my mind and I would love to have some other's thoughts on the matter.

What constitutes being "in Christ"? Are Old Testament saints "in Christ" in the same manner as believers of this age are?

I ask this because 1 Cor 12:13 tells us that it is by the baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation that we are baptized into the Body of Christ, and this baptism of the Holy Spirit is unique to the Church age. It is those who are "in Christ" which make up the Church, so what does that make of the OT Saints of Israel?

I think they are "in Christ" retoractively.

All saved people have their names in the book of life of the Lamb "from the foundation of the world:"

All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. Rev 13.8 NASB

Some versions (NIV, KJV, NKJV) say it is the Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world:

All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. NIV

At any rate, God foreknew who would be saved. Believing in the God of the Bible, the OT saints were also believing in Christ in that we have a Trinitarian God, even if they did not have the revelation that came later to those who knew Christ. There are distinctions in the Trinity because there are 3 distinct Persons, but it is one God.

 

[Briguy]

Marcia, good answer. I would add:

The believers from the OT are "In Christ" because they were/are with Christ/God after death. They are "in Christ" the same way that all NT believers that have passed away are. They may not have had life in "the church" but they are "in Christ" none-the-less

-Brian

 

[InChrist]

Ok I understand that all are saved through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The OT saints looking forward to the better sacrifice, and us looking back on the sacrifice. But the concept of being IN Christ seems to be unique to the Church because it involves the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

I guess I'm trying to understand the difference between Jew, Gentile and Church and their futures. From what I can tell, those who are "in Christ" are heavenly citizens, ambassadors here on earth, with promises of a home in heaven, whereas the nation of Israel always had the hope of the promised land, with Jesus Christ as her King for eternity. (and that is another thing... I can't find any Scriptures where Jesus Christ is called the King of the Church). We know that there is going to be a new heaven AND a new earth, so my thoughts are that if ALL are going to "heaven" then who exactly is going to occupy the new earth?