Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  6000 Sin and salvation  »  6100 Aspects of sin  »  6212 participation  »  6214 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; Corinthians 6:17; Hebrews 3:14

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

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

In Christ's nature

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

In Christ's sufferings

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

In Christ's glory

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

Participation in Christ's body

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

Sharing unity through Christ

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

Sharing a source of life

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

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

Sharing spiritual blessings

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

Sharing a hope

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

Sharing in worship

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

Accepting responsibility towards others

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

Sharing one another's sufferings

2 Corinthians 1:4,7; Philippians 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:8; Hebrews 10:33-34; Revelation 1:9

Sharing with those in need

Ezekiel 45:16; Acts 4:32; 2 Corinthians 8:4; Corinthians 9:13; 1 Timothy 6:18; Hebrews 13:16

Sharing in God's work

2 Corinthians 6:1; Philippians 1:5 Paul thanks the Philippians for their active support of his ministry. See also Numbers 8:24; Numbers 18:2; 1 Chronicles 16:38; Ezra 3:2; Romans 15:30; 1 Corinthians 9:10-13; 2 Corinthians 5:20; Galatians 2:7-9; Philippians 4:15-16

Participation in Christ demands holiness

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

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

God's promise to include the nations

Zechariah 2:11 See also Isaiah 2:3 pp Micah 4:2; Isaiah 14:1; Isaiah 19:23-25; Zephaniah 2:11; Zechariah 14:16

See also

2410  cross, the
3233  Holy Spirit & sanctification
6754  union with Christ
7110  body of Christ
7903  baptism
7921  fellowship
7933  Lord's Supper
7957  sacraments
8102  abiding in Christ
8206  Christlikeness