There are those, particularly in our day, who are so disenchanted with the visible church that they steadfastly refuse to join any local church. Such a posture is misguided and involves overt disobedience to the commands of Christ. Though it is possible for a believer to be confused about this for a season, someone who persists in such a posture is, in all probability, not a believer. It is the duty of every Christian to join a visible church.
R.C. Sproul

UNION With Christ

UNION With Christ

UNION With Christ

  1. As Head of the Church # Eph 1:22,23 4:15,16 Col 1:18
  2. Christ prayed that all saints might have # Joh 17:21,23
  3. DESCRIBED AS 3a) Christ being in us

    # Eph 3:17 Col 1:27

3b) Our being in Christ # 2Co 12:2 1Jo 5:20 4) Includes union with the Father # Joh 17:21 1Jo 2:24 5) Is of God # 1Co 1:30 6) MAINTAINED BY 6a) Faith # Ga 2:20 Eph 3:17 6b) Abiding in him # Joh 15:4,7 6c) His word abiding in us # Joh 15:7 1Jo 2:24 2Jo 1:9 6d) Feeding on him # Joh 6:56 6e) Obeying him # 1Jo 3:24 7) The Holy Spirit witnesses # 1Jo 3:24 8) The gift of the Holy Spirit is an evidence of # 1Jo 4:13 9) SAINTS 9a) Have, in mind # 1Co 2:16 Php 2:5 9b) Have, in spirit # 1Co 6:17 9c) Have, in love # So 2:16 7:10 9d) Have, in sufferings # Php 3:10 2Ti 2:12 9e) Have, in his death # Ro 6:3-8 Ga 2:20 9f) Have assurance of # Joh 14:20 9g) Enjoy, in the Lord’s supper # 1Co 10:16,17 9h) Identified with Christ by # Mt 25:40,45 Ac 9:4 8:1 9i) Are complete through # Col 2:10 9j) Exhorted to maintain # Joh 15:4 Ac 11:23 Col 2:7 10) Necessary to growth in grace # Eph 4:15,16 Col 2:19 11) Necessary to fruitfulness # Joh 15:4,5 12) BENEFICIAL RESULTS OF 12a) Righteousness imputed # 2Co 5:21 Php 3:9 12b) Freedom from condemnation # Ro 8:1 12c) Freedom from dominion of sin # 1Jo 3:6 12d) Being created anew # 2Co 5:17 12e) The spirit alive to righteousness # Ro 8:10 12f) Confidence at his coming # 1Jo 2:28 12g) Abundant fruitfulness # Joh 15:5 12h) Answers to prayer # Joh 15:7 13) They who have, ought to walk as he walked # 1Jo 2:6 14) False teachers have not # Col 2:18,19 15) Is indissoluble # Ro 8:35 16) Punishment of those who have not # Joh 15:6 17) Illustrated 17a) Vine and branches # Joh 15:1,5 17b) Foundation and building # 1Co 3:10,11 Eph 2:20,21 1Pe 2:4-6 17c) Body and members # 1Co 12:12,27 Eph 5:30 17d) Husband and wife # Eph 5:25-32