by Jerry Senn
The phrase “in Christ” is the apostle Paul’s unique way of describing those who are saved by Jesus’ blood, redeemed of sin, justified by faith, and delivered from darkness to light. It pictures a “new creation” (2 Cor 5:17), a new personal relationship with God having been established.
Being “In Christ” is what makes a person a “saint” or “holy one.” The people Paul addresses were true believers. They have placed their trust in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. These sincere followers of Jesus have experienced baptism “into one body” of Christ (1 Cor 12:13), but not into a human denomination or religion.
This term, “in Christ,” or similar expressions like “in the Lord” or “in Him,” appear in Paul’s writing around 170 times. “It highlights the deep, vital union and new spiritual reality of believers, signifying their connection, identity, and position within Christ’s life and work. The phrase is central to Paul’s (inspired) theology. It describes a spiritual condition or position, a new spiritual state as a member of Christ’s body, having experienced salvation through him, not joined to a religious affiliation” (anon).
For further study, please analyze the following passages, in context, for a deeper understanding of what it means to be “in Christ.”
Romans 8:1 - “There is now no condemnation…’in Christ.’”
Galatians 3:26-28 - “As many…as were baptized ‘into Christ’ have put on Christ.”
Ephesians 1:3-14 - “Father… has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing.”
Ephesians 2:4-6 - “God…seated us with him in the heavenly places ‘in Christ Jesus.’”
Philippians 1:1 - “To saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi.”
Colossians 1:1 - “To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ.”
Paul’s constant use of this phrase proves to honest students how exclusively vital it is to be “in Christ”—a place among the saved—in fellowship with our Father through the sacrifice of Jesus. It’s vitally important to make our personal “calling and election sure” (2 Peter 1:10), and to study carefully passages which point to the time when this relationship “in Christ” is initiated. (See Gal 3:26-28; Rom 6:3-4).
I pray all readers will be blessed knowing they’re safe and secure “in Christ Jesus.”