Participation, in Christ

The joining of believers to Jesus Christ, through faith, whereby they are freed from participation in Adam by sharing in Christ's death and resurrection, his nature, sufferings and glory and whereby, too, they become part of his body. Believers therefore share in the fellowship, ministry and hope of God's people, which is anticipated by the OT and fulfilled in the church.

Believers are united with Christ

Ephesians 1:13 See also John 13:8; 1 Corinthians 1:9, 1 Corinthians 6:17; Hebrews 3:14

And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth — the gospel of your salvation — you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

Faith liberates from participation in sin

Romans 5:15; Galatians 5:24 See also Romans 5:16–21; 1 Corinthians 15:21–22; Colossians 2:11

But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many!

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Participation in Christ

In Christ's death and resurrection

Romans 6:3–4; Galatians 2:20 See also Romans 6:5–8, Romans 7:4; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12–13; 2 Timothy 2:11

Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life.

I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

In Christ's nature

2 Peter 1:4 See also Romans 8:29; 1 Corinthians 15:49; 2 Corinthians 3:18, 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 3:10; Hebrews 12:10

Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

In Christ's sufferings

Philippians 3:10 See also Matthew 16:24 parallels Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23; 2 Corinthians 1:5; 1 Peter 4:13

I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death,

In Christ's glory

Romans 8:17 See also John 17:22; Ephesians 2:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Timothy 2:12

And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ — if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.

Participation in Christ's body

1 Corinthians 10:16–17 See also Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:27

Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf.

Sharing unity through Christ

Galatians 3:28 See also 1 Corinthians 1:2; Ephesians 2:21–22; Colossians 3:11

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Sharing a source of life

Ephesians 4:16 See also John 15:4–5; Romans 11:17; Colossians 2:19

From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part.

Sharing an inheritance

Galatians 3:29 See also 1 Samuel 26:19; Psalm 106:5; Acts 3:25, Acts 20:32; Colossians 1:12; Hebrews 6:17

And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.

Sharing spiritual blessings

Ephesians 1:3 See also Romans 15:27; Philippians 1:7; Hebrews 6:4; Jude 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms.

Sharing a hope

1 Peter 5:1 See also Luke 20:35; 2 Thessalonians 1:10; Revelation 20:6

As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you:

Sharing in worship

1 Corinthians 14:26 See also 2 Chronicles 5:12–13; Nehemiah 12:24

What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.

Accepting responsibility towards others

1 Corinthians 12:26 See also Galatians 6:1–2; Philippians 2:1–4

If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

As God’s fellow workers, then, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.

because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,

Participation in Christ demands holiness

1 Corinthians 10:21 See also 1 Corinthians 6:15; Ephesians 5:6–7; Colossians 3:1–5

You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too.

Participation of the nations in God's salvation

Gentiles are included among God's people

Ephesians 3:6 See also Romans 11:24; Galatians 3:8–9; Genesis 12:3, Genesis 18:18, Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:14

This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus.

God's promise to include the nations

Zechariah 2:11 See also Isaiah 2:3 parallel Micah 4:2; Isaiah 14:1, Isaiah 19:23–25; Zephaniah 2:11; Zechariah 14:16

“On that day many nations will join themselves to the LORD, and they will become My people. I will dwell among you, and you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent Me to you.