Who is in Christ?

These are the majority of the Scriptures which refer to being “in Christ”, and show that only those who are believers are said to be “in Christ”:

In John 15 Jesus speaks on being “in me”, saying that we cannot bear fruit unless we abide in Him – if everyone abides in Him then everyone must be bearing fruit, but clearly they are not.  Jesus spoke very clearly in v.6 of the consequences of not abiding in Him.  Why say this if everyone is in him? It would be a pointless statement.

Ro 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”  If everyone is in Christ Jesus then this is a pointless statement for Paul to make, as there would then be condemnation for no-one, there would be no hell, and no point in preaching the gospel.  The second part of the verse makes it clear who is in Christ – those who walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh.

Ro 12:5 “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”   From the context Paul is clearly talking about believers, not everyone in the world.  Only believers are in Christ, not the whole world.

Ro 16:7 “Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.”  If everyone has been in Christ since Christ died then this statement would not make sense.  Clearly this verse means these people became believers (were “in Christ”) before Paul did.

1Co 1:2 “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:”   Why would Paul say this if everyone was already sanctified in Christ?  It is very clear that not everyone calls upon the name of Jesus Christ, yet Paul says that only those who do this are in Christ. So it cannot be true that everyone is in Christ.

1Co 3:1 “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.”  “Babes in Christ” clearly refers to immature believers.  If everyone is in Christ and has always been then why would Paul say this – it would make no sense.

Eph 1:10 “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:”  This is probably the most difficult verse in this list to explain but here goes.  The verse again does not actually tell us who is in Christ, but many Bible versions, based on corrupt manuscripts miss out the first “in Christ”, which confuses the whole meaning here.  Basically God will gather together in one, in Christ, all things which are already in Christ. To be expanded.

Eph 2:6 “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” Who was this written to? According to Eph 1:1 it was written to “the saints…and faithful in Christ Jesus”, so it is believers, not unbelievers who sit together in heavely places in Christ Jesus.

Eph 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”  Again, according to Eph 1:1, this is written to believers, as stated above.

Col 1:2 “To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”    Only the saints and faithful brethren are in Christ.  Clearly not everyone in the world are saints and faithful brethren, so it is clear that not everyone is in Christ.

1Th 4:16 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.”   Hence there are some who rise first, and they are the people in Christ.  If everyone was in Christ, then everyone who is dead would rise at the same time and what Paul says here would be a pointless statement.

2Ti 2:10 “Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”   Paul does this so people may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus. If everyone is already saved and in Christ then it would be pointless for Paul to endure all things.

2Ti 3:12 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”   If everyone was in Christ, then everyone would be persecuted, but this is clearly not the case, no obviously not everyone is in Christ.

1Pe 5:14 “Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.”   Peter was clearly addressing believers here, who are those in Christ.  If everyone was in Christ, this would again be a pointless statement.

So we conclude then that those who are “in Christ” always refers to believers.  The Bible never says anywhere that the whole world is “in Christ”.

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