What will be covered here is the thirty-three things that happen to the believer the moment he is saved. These are sometimes referred to theologically as positional truth. What is true of the believer because of his position in Christ. It is also known as the believer’s identification with Christ. Perhaps the best way to see this is that these things are true because of the believer’s position of being in Christ and the believer has been identified as being with Christ as a result of his salvation.
INTRODUCTION
This is the Pauline of “in Christ.” Throughout the writings of Paul, uniquely, almost exclusively, one will find expressions such as “in Christ”, “in Jesus”, “in Jesus Christ”, “in Christ Jesus”, “in Him”, and “in whom” and for Paul these are all technical terms. Whenever one sees one of these expression one needs to stop because what Paul is about to say is to tell the believer something that is true because of his position of being in Christ. The Pauline doctrine of being “in Christ” refers to the believer’s union with Christ. It refers to the redeemed man’s new position in the sphere of resurrection life. At this point it might be wise to distinguish between the believer’s position and practice.
By position, which is what these thirty-three things refer to, the believer’s position is the way God sees him, not as he really is, but as he is in Christ, in the Messiah. As far as practice is concerned, the believer’s should try to keep their practice consistent with their position. The entire job of the Holy Spirit and His work of sanctification is to conform the believer’s lives, to conform their practice in daily living, to what the believer already is positionally in Christ.
The means of entering this new position is the baptizing work of the Holy Spirit. That is the point of I Corinthians 12:13; “For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit.”
The way by which the believer enters into Christ is by means of Spirit baptism. That is why Spirit baptism is unique with the Church. It was not a practice of the Holy Spirit before the events of Acts 2, nor will He be performing this ministry after the Rapture of the Church. It is a ministry uniquely for the Church and the means by which the believer enters into this new position is by means of the baptizing
work of the Holy Spirit.
work of the Holy Spirit.
From the Scriptures one learns two main truths concerning positional truth. First, the source of it all is the grace of God. The source of these thirty-three things, the source of the believer’s position in Christ, is the grace of God. This is brought out in Ephesians 1:6; “to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved:”
Notice the expression “in the Beloved:”. That is just another way of saying “in Christ” because the Beloved One here is Christ so he is saying that the believer’s position of being in Christ, his position
of truth, and these thirty-three things are all the result of the grace of God so the source is the grace of God.
of truth, and these thirty-three things are all the result of the grace of God so the source is the grace of God.
Later, in Ephesians 2:7, Paul writes; “…that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches
of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus:”
of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus:”
Notice the positional statement “in Christ Jesus” and that the position of the believer according to this verse is the result of the riches of his grace. The first thing one learns from these passages is that positional truth has its source in the grace of God.
The second key truth one learns from the Scriptures regarding the positional truth is that positional truth is the source of the believer’s authority. The authority of the Christian life is based upon the believer’s position of being in Christ. This is brought out by Paul in Ephesians 1:18-19;
“…having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what the exceeding greatness of his power to us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might”
The believer’s position carries with it authority. The source of the believer’s authority is his position. Just as a the position of a Sergeant or a Lieutenant or a Colonel or a General carries with it a certain amount of authority, so does the believer’s position of being in Christ carry with it a certain amount of authority. If a Sergeant who has been promoted to a Lieutenant does not know all that is involved in the position of being a Lieutenant, he will still function no more than a Sergeant. That is why many believers do not exercise the authority they have because they do not know the authority that comes with that position. One of the important reasons for studying these thirty-three things is to come to know exactly what the position of being in Christ is.
The fourth thing by way of introduction concerning positional truth is that it is by means of the believer’s position that he has the best defense on the Satanic front of the spiritual warfare. This is brought out in Colossians 2:14-15;
“…having blotted out the bond written ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he hath taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross; having despoiled the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”
Because of the position of the believer in Christ, he has been co-crucified with Christ on that cross and by so being the believer has conquered Satan and the believer’s best defense on the Satanic front of the spiritual warfare is his position in Christ and knowing the authority that comes with it.
A second passage that brings the same truth out is Hebrews 2:14-15; “Since then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same; that through death he might bring to naught him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and might deliver all them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage”
The writer of Hebrews emphasizes the same point, that by virtue of Christ’s death and resurrection, and by virtue of the believer’s position of being in Christ and therefore co-crucified and co-resurrected he is has the basis of victory, the basis of his defense on the Satanic front.
A third passage and perhaps the one that is the most extensive in this area is Ephesians 6:10-18 and three times in this passage Paul tells us that in the spiritual warfare on the Satanic front the believer must resist Satan. The way to resist Satan, as he points out as he starts out in verse 10, is to “be strong in the Lord” and again, “in the Lord” is that little technical term describing the believer’s position of being in Christ. To “be strong in the Lord” is to recognize what one’s position is and all the authority that carries
with that position. By studying these thirty-three things one will know exactly what one’s position is of being in Christ and then knowing that one can indeed fight the spiritual warfare and gain victory as well.
with that position. By studying these thirty-three things one will know exactly what one’s position is of being in Christ and then knowing that one can indeed fight the spiritual warfare and gain victory as well.
The fifth thing by way of introduction into this study on position truth or thirty-things is to deal with some specific ramifications of the believer’s positional truth. These ramifications all deal with various facets of the believer’s identification with Christ in his atonement work. All together there are eight such
ramifications.
ramifications.
First, the believer has been crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20).
Second, the believer has died with Christ (Colossians 2:20).
Third, the believer was buried with Christ (Romans 6:4).
Fourth, the believer was made alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5).
Fifth, the believer was resurrected with Christ (Colossians 13:1).
Sixth, the believer suffers with Christ (Romans 8:17).
Seventh, the believer will be glorified with Christ (Romans 8:17).
Eighth, the believers are going to be joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).
I. Redemption
Redeemed, or redemption is the first of the believer’s positional truths. The scriptures that make redemption as part of positional truth are Romans 3:24; I Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 1:7; and Colossians 1:14.
The price of redemption, one is taught by Scripture, was the blood of Christ. The very concept of redemption means to purchase out and in the spiritual realm it means to purchase out of the slave
market of sin and to purchase always requires a purchase price. The purchase price was the blood of Christ (I Corinthians 6:19-20; I Peter 1:18-19).
market of sin and to purchase always requires a purchase price. The purchase price was the blood of Christ (I Corinthians 6:19-20; I Peter 1:18-19).
To understand the full impact of the meaning of redemption one should remember that there are three different Greek words which all mean “to redeem.” They all have a slightly different shade of meaning. The first one is agorazo and it means to pay the price one’s sins demanded so that one can be redeemed (II Peter 2:1; Revelation 5:9). The second word is exagorazio and it means “to purchase out of the marketplace.” In the spiritual realm it means “to purchase out of the slave market of sin” (Galatians 3:13; 4:14). The third Greek word is lutroo and it means “to release and set free” (Matthew 20:28; I Timothy 2:6; Titus 2:14).
By combining these three Greek words together, one gets the full impact of what redemption means. Redemption means that the redeemed person is purchased by the payment of a price, the blood of Christ,
and then removed out of the marketplace, the slave market of sin, and then is set free so that he can serve the Lord.
and then removed out of the marketplace, the slave market of sin, and then is set free so that he can serve the Lord.
II. Reconciliation
By “reconciliation” what is meant is that the position of the world, which was a state of alienation from God, was changed by Christ’s death so that all men are now able to be saved. Reconciliation rendered all men savable. It does not mean that all men will be saved, because there must be the ingredient of personal faith, but it has rendered all men savable (Romans 5:10- 11; II Corinthians 5:18-19; Colossians 1:20-22).
Reconciliation, Biblically speaking, does not refer to two wrong parties reconciled to each other. But rather, the offending man being reconciled back to an authentic God.
III. Propitiation
By definition, “propitiation” is the fact that the wrath of God is satisfied with that which Christ’s death accomplished. According to Scripture, the wrath of God is revealed against all unrighteousness and ungodliness of men (Romans 1:17). By propitiation the wrath of God is satisfied with that which Christ’s death accomplished, so God is no longer angry at the believer (Romans 3:25; I John 2:2; 4:10).
IV. Forgiveness
“Forgiveness” means that all of the believer’s sins, past, present, and future, have been totally forgiven (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; 2:13). What this means is that there is no sin that a believer can commit that will cause him to loose his salvation. Never forget that when Christ died he died at a time that those now alive had not committed a single sin. He died for all of the sins which are future, which included all the sins of those now alive, so all the sins, past, present, and future have been totally forgiven. Therefore, there is no sin that the believer can commit that can cause him to lose his salvation. The application of this truth is found in Ephesians 4:32; “…and be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving each
other, even as God also in Christ forgave you.”
other, even as God also in Christ forgave you.”
Notice the term “in Christ.” That is the technical term describing the believer’s position. In this case he emphasizes the position of forgiveness, “even as God also in Christ forgave you,” and the application is that since the believer has been forgiven, he should forgive fellow believers that have wronged him.
Another passage where an application has been made is Colossians 3:13; “…forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do
ye:” Since the believer has been forgiven by this fourth position, he should be willing to forgive others as well.
ye:” Since the believer has been forgiven by this fourth position, he should be willing to forgive others as well.
V. Justification
The definition of “justification” is to be declared righteous (Romans 3:24; 5:19; 8:30). So justification means that faith will result in the imparting of righteousness, the righteousness of Christ. The fact that the believer is righteous in Christ is the basis for the announcement of justification or a declaration of righteousness, for that is what justification means: to be declared righteous. In this position, before the eyes of God, the believer has been justified.
VI. Glorification
The fact that the believer is glorified in the sight of God is the assurance of the ultimate impartation of Christ’s glory (Romans 8:18,30; 9:23; Colossians 3:4; I John 3:2). Being positionally glorified means that the believer is certainly going to be practically glorified in that future day.
VII. Deliverance
Specifically, this refers to being delivered from the power of darkness (Acts 26:18; Ephesians 2:1-2; Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 2:14-15). The fact that the believer has been delivered from the power of
darkness means that he is no longer in any obligation to serve Satan whatsoever. The believer has been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of the Son of Light.
darkness means that he is no longer in any obligation to serve Satan whatsoever. The believer has been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of the Son of Light.
VIII. Circumcision
This refers not to physical circumcision, that is a circumcision of the flesh, but the circumcision of the heart spoken of in Colossians 2:11. Circumcision of the heart, the believer’s position of being circumcised, involves the putting off of the deeds of the flesh. The practical application of being circumcised in Christ is to put off the deeds of the flesh and to walk righteously before the Lord.
IX. Acceptable to God
The believer is acceptable to God according to Ephesians 1:6 and I Peter 2:5. This particular, being acceptable to God, has five facets.
First, it means that the believer has been made righteous by the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to the believer (Romans 5:11-21; I Corinthians 1:30; II Corinthians 5:21).
The second facet of being acceptable to God is that the believer has been sanctified positionally. From the viewpoint of God the believer is sanctified and therefore He can call the believers “saints.” The believers are saints right now (I Corinthians 1:2,30; 6:11).
The third facet of being acceptable to God is that the believer is perfected forever. From the viewpoint of positional truth, the believer is already viewed as being perfect (Hebrews 10:14).
The fourth facet is that the believer has been made acceptable. The reason the believer is acceptable to God is that he has been made acceptable. He has been made acceptable by not being condemned for
his sins (John 3:18; 5:24; Romans 8:1).
his sins (John 3:18; 5:24; Romans 8:1).
The fifth facet of being acceptable to God is that the believer is made meet. To be made meet means to be qualified, and the believer as been qualified and therefore accepted by God (Colossians 1:12).
X. The First fruits of the Holy Spirit The believers are the first fruits of the Holy Spirit (Romans :23). This tenth position has five facets.
The first facet is that the believer has been regenerated which means to be born again (John 3:5-6; Titus 3:5).
The second facet is that the believer has been baptized by the Holy Spirit which has but the believer into the body of Christ and that is why the believer is in a position to begin with (Romans 6:1-10; I Corinthians 12:13).
The third facet of being the firstfruits of the Holy Spirit is that the believer is indwelled by the Holy Spirit resulting in the body becoming the Temple of God (Romans 5:5; 8:9; I Corinthians 3:16;6:19; Galatians 4:6; II Timothy 1:14; I John 2:27; 3:24).
The fourth facet of being the firstfruits of the Holy Spirit is that the believer is sealed by the Holy Spirit. Being sealed by the Holy Spirit assures the believer that he has eternal security (II Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:3-14; 4:30).
The fifth facet is that the believer is filled by the Holy Spirit and that ministries empowers the believer for service (Ephesians 5:18).
XI. In the Eternal Plan of God
The believer is in and part of the eternal plan of God (II Timothy 1:9). This too also has five facets.
The first facet is that this means that the believer is foreknown by God, he is in the foreknowledge of God (Romans 8:29; Ephesians 1:5,11,12; I Peter 1:1-2).
The second facet is that the believer has been predestined by God to be saved (John 6:65; Romans 8:29-30).
The third facet is that the believers are the elect of God and they are God’s election (Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12; I Thessalonians 1:4; Titus 1:1; I Peter 1:1-2).
The fourth facet is chosen. That being part of the eternal plan of God means that the believers have been chosen by God to be saved (Ephesians 1:4; II Thessalonians 2:13).
The fifth facet of being in the eternal plan of God is that the believers have been called. They have received a divine calling to the state of salvation (Romans 8:30; 9:24; I Thessalonians 5:24; II Thessalonians 2:14; II Timothy 1:9; Hebrews 3:1).
XII. On the Rock Christ Jesus
This is the foundation of the believer’s faith. Based upon this position the believer has a sure foundation upon which he can stand and can build his believing life upon a foundation of rock and not upon a foundation of sand (Matthew 7:24-27; I Corinthians 3:9-15; Ephesians 2:20-22; I Peter 2:4-6).
XIII. Made Nigh
This position relates especially to Gentile believers rather than Jewish believers, because “being made nigh” refers to Gentile believers who are now brought into a position where these Gentile can enjoy Jewish spiritual blessings. The Gentile believer, by faith in Christ, has been drawn near to enjoy not the physical, material benefits of the Jewish covenants, but to enjoy the spiritual benefits of the Jewish covenants (Ephesians 2:13). An application of this is made in James 4:8;
“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” Because the believer has been drawn near positionally, he should draw near to God in practice and in this way have his sins cleansed.
XIV. Members of a Holy and Royal Priesthood
The believers have become members of a holy and royal priesthood and this results in the priesthood of all believers. This is true particularly of Jewish believers in I Peter 2:5,9 but it is also true of Gentile believers according Revelation 1:5-6 and Revelation 5:9-10.
The fact that the believers are members of a holy and royal priesthood has a number of applications. One application is given in Romans 12:1-2 where Paul admonishes the believer to present his body a living sacrifice and the presenting of a living sacrifice, of course, is a priestly act.
Another application is found in Philippians 4:18 where Paul wrote;
“But I have all things, and abound: I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, and odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God.” In this context, Paul was speaking of some funds, moneys, which were sent to him to support Paul in his ministry. Paul said that their act of sending him monetary, financial support was a priestly act, it was like offering up the sweet savor, the sweet smell sacrifice, a sacrifice acceptable to God. One of the ways that the believer
fulfills his function as a believer-priest is to finance people in the ministry by means of his finances.
fulfills his function as a believer-priest is to finance people in the ministry by means of his finances.
Another application is made in II Timothy 4:6 where Paul wrote;
“For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come.”
Here Paul was speaking of his impending martyrdom. When a believer has to die for the faith, that too is looked upon as a sacrifice and part of the practical aspect of being a believer-priest is that one should be willing to give up one’s life for the faith.
One other passage where an application is made is Hebrews 13:15- 16;
“Through him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
One application of the believer fulfilling his function as a believer- priest is by offering up a sacrifice of praising God continually. Believers should be continually praising God. Secondly, believers should be communicating good things to do good things to others and the writer says that with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
XV. Transferred into God’s Kingdom
The believer is no longer part of the kingdom of darkness, but is part of the Kingdom of God (II Peter 1:11). There are two practical ramifications of this position.
The first one is Colossians 1:13 which tells the believer that the result of having been transferred into God’s Kingdom is that he has been delivered out of the power of darkness. The powers of darkness have no legal authority over the believer any further. Furthermore, being transferred into God’s Kingdom is the basis for the believer walking orderly so that he is walking consistently in the kind of lifestyle the Bible commands believers to walk (I Thessalonians 2:12).
XVI. A Chosen Generation – A Holy Nation – A Peculiar People
This position is more true of Jewish believers than of Gentile believers (I Peter 2:9). It should be kept in mind that Peter did not write to the Church as a whole, but he wrote specifically to Jewish believers because the Church is not a chosen generation, but is comprised of people of all generations.
The Church is not a holy nation, it is comprised of people from all nations. The church is not a peculiar singular people but is comprised of members from all peoples and tribes and tongues.
Keeping in mind that Peter wrote specifically to Jewish believers, this particular position is for them, as they are the chosen generation, they are the holy nation, they are the peculiar people. The point that Peter makes in the context is that whereas the nation of Israel as a whole has failed to fulfill its calling of
Exodus 19 the remnant of Israel, the Jewish believers within the nation, that known as the Israel of God, have fulfilled and they are the chosen generation, the holy nation, and the peculiar people.
Exodus 19 the remnant of Israel, the Jewish believers within the nation, that known as the Israel of God, have fulfilled and they are the chosen generation, the holy nation, and the peculiar people.
In the way of application this position is for the purpose of doing good works (Titus 2:14).
XVII. Citizens of Heaven
The believer’s citizenship is now in heaven (Luke 10:20; II Corinthians 5:20; Ephesians 2:19; Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 12:22-24; I Peter 2:11-12).
A practical application of having one’s citizenship in heaven is that it should result in keeping one’s mind on heavenly things and not on earthly things and one should always remember the fact that on this
earth one is merely a pilgrim, merely an alien, a foreign resident and simply passing through. While the believer has ever encouragement to participate in those things in the world that believers should and
need to participate in, one should always remember that he is not any more truly American citizens or Canadian or Belgian or German or whatever, believers are all co-citizens in heaven.
earth one is merely a pilgrim, merely an alien, a foreign resident and simply passing through. While the believer has ever encouragement to participate in those things in the world that believers should and
need to participate in, one should always remember that he is not any more truly American citizens or Canadian or Belgian or German or whatever, believers are all co-citizens in heaven.
XVIII. In the Family of God
The believer is now part of God’s household, part of God’s building (I Corinthians 3:9; Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 2:19-20; I Peter 2:5).
XIX. Adopted
The believer has been adopted as the adopted children of God (Romans 8:15,23; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:4-5. One thing about being adopted is that natural children are there because they were born naturally, but adopted children are chosen to be loved. Being the adopted children of God means that God has chosen to love the believers.
XX. The Children of God
This is a follow-up of the previous position, that the believer is now a child of God (John 1:12; Romans 8:16; I John 3:1-2). This position has four facets.
First, it means that the believer has been begotten (I John 5:1; I Peter 1:23).
The second facet of being the children of God is that the believers have been quickened or made alive by God from being dead in their trespasses and sins. No longer are they spiritually dead but they have been quickened to become the children of God, they have been made alive (II Corinthians 5:14- 15; Ephesians 2:5; Colossians 2:13).
The third facet of being the children of God is that the believers are now the sons of God. The Jews meaning of “sons” obviously has the meaning of “followers”, just like B’nai B’rith means “the sons of the covenant” or “the followers of the covenant”. Having become the children of God, believers are now the sons of God, they are now the followers of God (Romans 8:14; II Corinthians 6:18; Galatians 3:26; 4:6-7; I John 3:2).
The fourth facet of becoming the children of God is that the believer is now a new creation or a new creature. The believer has been created anew to become this new thing, a child of God (II Corinthians 5:12,17; Galatians 6:18; Ephesians 2:10; 4:24; Colossians 3:10).
XXI. Part of the Fellowship of the Saints
All believers are part of the fellowship of the saints (John 17:11,21-23; I John 1:3,7).
The practical application of this position is that it becomes the basis for unity among believers. Believers can be unified because they are all part of the fellowship of the saints.
XXII. Light in the Lord
Not only is He the light of the world, but believers are light in the Lord (Ephesians 5:8). Believers are the children of light and believers, being the children of light, in practice are to walk in light. Here again, the believer’s practice must be conformed to his position. Positionally, believers are the children of light and
therefore in practice they should be walking in that light.
therefore in practice they should be walking in that light.
There is an application made of this position in I Thessalonians 5:4-9; “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief: for ye are all sons of light, and sons of the day; we are not of the night, nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as do the rest, but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night: and they that are drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, since we are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love: and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God appointed us not unto wrath, but unto the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,”
The application is that because the believers are true of the light and because the Great Tribulation, the Day of the Lord, or the wrath of verse 9, is a time of darkness is one reason why church saints are
in this position will never have to go through the Tribulation. One of the many reasons why the church will not go through the Tribulation is because the Tribulation is a time of darkness but the believers are
the children of light and that is the application Paul makes of being in this position. Because of this position of being light in the Lord the believers will not be going through the Tribulation.
in this position will never have to go through the Tribulation. One of the many reasons why the church will not go through the Tribulation is because the Tribulation is a time of darkness but the believers are
the children of light and that is the application Paul makes of being in this position. Because of this position of being light in the Lord the believers will not be going through the Tribulation.
XXIII. Heavenly Associations
The believers now have some specific heavenly associations. This has seven facets.
First, it means that the believer is now a partner with Christ with life (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3-4; I John 5:11- 12). Christ can live His life through the believer, though the believer is yet responsible to live that life.
Secondly, the believer is a partner with Christ in position (Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 3:1-3).
The third facet of these heavenly associations is the believer is a partner with Christ in service and co-serves with Him as a servant (John 17:18; 20:21).
Fourth, it means that the believer is a partaker with Christ in sufferings. He has suffered and the believer will also undergo suffering. Suffering is not necessarily a sign of a lack of spirituality, on the contrary, it might be very much a sign of true spirituality (Romans 8:17; II Corinthians 1:5; Philippians 1:29; 3:10;
II Timothy 2:12).
II Timothy 2:12).
The fifth facet is that the believer is a partner with Christ in prayer. The believer prays and Christ prays for him and with him (John 14:12-14; 16:23-24; I John 5:14-15). This is one of the reasons the believer needs to pray in Jesus’ name.
The sixth facet is that the believer is a partner in betrothal in that He is the groom and the believers are the bride (II Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:25-27).
Seventh, the believer is a partner with Christ in expectation of His return (Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:28).
XXIV. Completion
The believer is completed in Christ. This means that the believer has been made full (Colossians 2:10). The believer is complete in Him, though in practice there are many things wanting in life, because of the believer’s position they are complete.
XXV. In Possession of Every Spiritual Blessing
The believer does not have to agonize for spiritual blessings, he does not have to tarry and wait for spiritual blessings, he does not have to pray through to get his spiritual blessings, he is already in
possession of every spiritual blessing. It is just a matter of how and when to enjoy these spiritual blessings which are the believer’s and when to apply them and when not to apply them (I Corinthians 3:22-23; Ephesians 1:3).
possession of every spiritual blessing. It is just a matter of how and when to enjoy these spiritual blessings which are the believer’s and when to apply them and when not to apply them (I Corinthians 3:22-23; Ephesians 1:3).
XXVI. A Gift from God the Father to God the Son
The believer is a gift from God the Father to God the Son (John 6:37-40; 17:2,6,9,13).
The main application of this position, that the believer is a gift from God the Father to God the Son, is the assurance of eternal security. Here is another reason why the believer is eternally secure, because he is a gift from God the Father to God the Son and he cannot be snatched out of the hand of either the Father or the Son.
XXVII. Christ’s Inheritance
The picture is that the believer has been willed to Christ and therefore the believer is His inheritance (Ephesians 1:8). He has inherited the believer and because He has inherited the believer, he is His peculiar, his private, his individual possession.
XXVIII. Heirs
Not only are the believers an inheritance, they are also heirs. The believers are co-heirs with Christ and what this means is that the believers will some day receive their inheritance (Romans 8:17; Colossians 4:7; Ephesians 1:11,14; Colossians 1:12; 3:24; Titus 27; Hebrews 9:15; I Peter 1:4).
The believers have not yet received this inheritance, but some day they will receive this inheritance. This inheritance includes the resurrection body and a position in the Messianic Kingdom and the believer is going to inherit things in the Messianic Kingdom. So there is a coin with two sides. On one side the believer is His inheritance, position number twenty-seven, but on the other side of the coin, the believers are themselves heirs in position number twenty-eight and therefore the believers will someday receive an
inheritance.
inheritance.
XXIX. Freed from the Law
While in one sense this relates to all believers, it is particularly true of Jewish believers simply because the Gentile believers were never under the Law of Moses, but only Jews were under the Mosaic Law so especially the Jewish believers in the body of Christ have been freed from the Law (Romans 6:14; 10:4; II Corinthians 3:2-11; Galatians 3:19; Ephesians 2:11-15; Hebrews 7:11-12). The Jewish believer, positionally, has been freed from the Law.
XXX. The Judgment of the Old Man Unto a New Walk
The believer’s old man, his sin nature, has now been judged. Therefore, he is able and called upon to walk a new walk.
The practical application of this position is that this provides the power to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:1-11; Galatians 2:20). By saying that the old man was judged, it also teaches in the Romans
passage in particular, that the believer’s old man has been co-crucified with Christ. Therefore the old nature, the sin nature, the old man, no longer has any binding legal authority over the believer. The believer no longer has any obligation to obey the old sin nature and for that reason he has the power to walk in newness of life and this disposition calls the believer to a new walk.
passage in particular, that the believer’s old man has been co-crucified with Christ. Therefore the old nature, the sin nature, the old man, no longer has any binding legal authority over the believer. The believer no longer has any obligation to obey the old sin nature and for that reason he has the power to walk in newness of life and this disposition calls the believer to a new walk.
XXXI. United to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
The believer is united to the father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit (Acts 17:28; II Corinthians 6:16). This position of being united to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit has six facets.
The first facet is that the believer is in God the Father (John 17:21; I Thessalonians 1:1; II Thessalonians 1:1).
The second facet is that the Father is also in the believer.
Here again there is a coin with two sides. On one side the believer is in the Father, on the other side the Father is in a believer (John 14:23; Ephesians 4:6).
The third facet of this position is that the believer is in the Son. Not only is the believer in God the Father, he is also in God the Son (John 14:20; 17:21; Romans 8:1; II Corinthians 5:17).
The fourth facet is that the Son is also in the believer. God the Son indwells the believer (John 14:20,23; Colossians 1:22). Once again one has the coin with two sides. On one side of the coin the believer is in God the Son, and on the other side the Son is in the believer.
The fifth facet is that the believer is in the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9; Ephesians 2:22).
Sixth, the Holy Spirit is in the believer. This is the facet that virtually all believers know about, that the Holy Spirit is in the believer (John 14:16-17; Romans 8:9,11; I Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; 6:19; I Timothy 1:14). Here again, a coin with two sides. One the one side the believer is in the Holy Spirit, on the other side of the coin the Holy Spirit is in the believer.
So in dealing with this thirty-first position, that the believer is united to the Father, to the Son, to the Holy Spirit, there is not just this one facet, that the Holy Spirit is indwelling the believer, there are six different facets. In a real sense the whole triune God is indwelling the believer. The whole triune God indwells the believer and also the believer indwells the whole triune God. The believer is in the Father, in the Son, and in the Holy Spirit.
XXXII. Access to God
The believer has access to God. This position has four facets.
First, the believer has access to the grace of God (Romans 5:2). The believer always has immediate access to God’s grace.
By way of practical application, in Hebrews 4:14-16, because of this position the believer is encouraged to draw boldly to the throne of grace so that he can appropriate the grace that he needs to get him through any kind of trial or tribulation he is undergoing. If someone fails or falters or stumbles in the Christian life, it is not because there was insufficient grace available. The reason Christians fall and stumble or backslide is because they have not appropriated the grace that is available to them to get them through any temptation, any suffering, any trial, any tribulation. In light of the fact of this position of having access to God and especially in that the believer has access to His grace, let the believer use the access that he has and appropriate the grace that he needs.
The second facet of having access to God is that the believer has access to God the Father (Ephesians 2:18). That is the reason that the believer’s prayers are addressed to God the Father. The believer
addresses his prayers to God the Father because he has access to Him.
addresses his prayers to God the Father because he has access to Him.
The third facet is that access is reassuring. One of the purposes of granting the believer access to Him in this position is so that the believer can have assurance of his salvation. Realizing that the believer has access to God is reassuring (Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 4:16; 10:19,22).
The fourth facet of having access to God is that this access provides fellowship with God. The reason the believer has this fellowship with God is because he has access to God (I Corinthians 1:9; I John 1:3).
The obvious application of this is that the believer should use this access that he has.
XXXIII. Within the Much More Care of God
This position has seven facets.
First, the believer is the object of His divine love (John 17:23; Romans 5:8; 8:35-39; Ephesians 2:4; 5:2; II Thessalonians 2:16; I John 3:1,16; 4:10). Because the believer is within the much more care of
God, he is first of all the object of His love.
God, he is first of all the object of His love.
Secondly, because the believer is in the much more care of God he is also the object of His grace. Not only does the believer have access to his grace, but he is also the object of His grace. This second facet of being within the much more care of God has four facets within itself. The believer is the object of His grace first of all in salvation. By His grace He has saved the believer (John 5:24; 6:27,39,40,47; Ephesians 2:7-9; I John 5:11-13). Secondly, the believer is also the object of His grace in safekeeping. The believer is in the much more care of God in safekeeping or because of safekeeping (Romans 5:2; Philippians 1:6). The third facet of being the object of His grace is that the believer is the object of His
grace in service.
grace in service.
The very fact that the believer can serve Him is a product of His grace (John 17:18; Ephesians 4:7). Fourth, the believer is the object of His grace in instruction. By His grace He teaches the believer and instructs him concerning spiritual truths (Titus 2:11- 13).
The third facet of being within the much more care of God is that the believer is the object of His power in that the power of God is often manifested through the saints (Ephesians 1:19).
The fourth facet of being within the much more care of God is that the believer is also the object of His faithfulness. The believer receives His faithfulness and although the believer may prove unfaithful, He is never unfaithful. The believer is the object of His unbroken faithfulness (I Corinthians 1:9; 10:13; Philippians 1:6; I Thessalonians 5:24; II Thessalonians 3:3; Hebrews 13:5).
The fifth facet of being within the much more care of God is that the believer is the object of His peace. Because the wrath of God has been appeased, God is no longer angry with the believer, he has the
peace of God dwelling within him (John 14:27; 16:33; Romans 5:1; Philippians 4:7; Colossians 3:15).
peace of God dwelling within him (John 14:27; 16:33; Romans 5:1; Philippians 4:7; Colossians 3:15).
The sixth facet of being within the much more care of God is that the believer is the object of His consolation and comfort. When a believer undergoes a period of grief because of a loss of a relative,
a friend, or a close associate, he has the comfort of God and being within the much more care of God means that the believer is always the object of His consolation and His comfort (II Corinthians 1:3-4; 7:6;
II Thessalonians 2:16-17).
a friend, or a close associate, he has the comfort of God and being within the much more care of God means that the believer is always the object of His consolation and His comfort (II Corinthians 1:3-4; 7:6;
II Thessalonians 2:16-17).
The seventh facet is that the believer is the object of His intercession. It is because of this thirty-third position that Christ is continually interceding in the behalf of the believer (Romans 8:27,34; I Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 7:25; I John 2:1).
These are the thirty-three things that happen to the believer the moment he is saved. They happen instantaneously, they are not a process. It is very important that the believer grasp his position in
Jesus Christ because until the believer clearly understands what his position is, he will not fully understand what his authority is in that position and not knowing what his authority is he will not be
able to exercise that same authority. So it is very important that the believer understand his position because this is his best defense in fighting the Satanic and Demonic front of the spiritual warfare.
Jesus Christ because until the believer clearly understands what his position is, he will not fully understand what his authority is in that position and not knowing what his authority is he will not be
able to exercise that same authority. So it is very important that the believer understand his position because this is his best defense in fighting the Satanic and Demonic front of the spiritual warfare.
There are three fronts to spiritual warfare: there is the flesh, there is the world, and there is the Devil and his demonic forces. Each front, like in any war, has to be fought in different ways and in different styles and using different weapons. As far as the front against Satan and the demonic forces the best defense is understanding positional truth, understanding what the believer’s position is in Jesus Christ and understanding the authority that comes with it and exercising it.
When Satan starts accusing the believer, when Satan starts attacking the believer, he can stand on the basis of the word of God. The believer never stands on the basis of his own merit, he never stands against Satan on the basis of his own righteousness.
The believer stands on the basis of his position in Christ and the fact that he has the righteousness of Christ imputed to him.
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The preceding is a manuscript of a radio broadcast of Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, director of Ariel Ministries. The text is copyrighted material being reproduced with the permission of the Board of
Directors of Ariel Ministries. This material may be distributed free of charge, but it is asked that the text not be modified in any way. Your cooperation in this matter is much appreciated.
Directors of Ariel Ministries. This material may be distributed free of charge, but it is asked that the text not be modified in any way. Your cooperation in this matter is much appreciated.
Ariel Ministries is an independent faith mission dedicated to the work of evangelism and discipleship of Jewish people. Unlike many other missionary societies, we do not obligate our staff to raise their own support. Our missionary staff is financed through contributions from believers throughout the country. If this manuscript has blessed you in some way and/or has added to your knowledge of the word of God, then we encourage you to pray concerning contributing to Ariel Ministries in accordance with Galatians 6:6 and Romans 15:25-27. All those contributing will be sent a tax-deductible receipt. Send your gifts to Ariel Ministries, P.O. Box 3723, Tustin, CA 92681.
All scripture quotes are from the American Standard Version. Computers for Christ – Chicago
