Christians Transfer of Realms
Lesson Aim: To show how a sinner can transfer out of the world realm and into Christ.
Scriptures: Rom. 6:1-11; 7:4-6.
Related Scriptures: I Cor. 12: 12, 13; Eph. 2:19-22; Col. 1:13, 18; John 3:3-8.
Introduction
The most sublime thought for the man “in Adam” in the world realm is God through Christ established a new age, or realm, in this world. He did not end the old age; therefore, we have two ages going on simultaneously. In Paul’s letter to the Galatians he spoke of what is going on outside Christ’s church as “this present evil age.” Gal. 1:4. We may use other terminology to refer to “this of which we speak” but God simply called it the new age, “in Christ.” Christians grasp the concept of the establishment of a great new dynasty from God. It came into the world when God raised Christ up to His right hand and gave Him all power in heaven and earth. It is in this realm where God maintains His kingdom on earth with Jesus as both king and high priest (John 18:36, 37; Acts 2:36; 5:31).
A clear view is given of this reality in Matt. 24:40, 41. “Then there shall be two men in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.” Jesus will one day return for the faithful people “in Christ.” They will be in the kingdom of God He will turn back to God (I Cor. 15:24). They will be the sons Jesus will bring to God (Heb. 2:10).
Just think, we have people living and working together who belong to two different realms or ages (Greek-aeon) right here in this world. In reference to the church, Paul used the terms, insiders and outsiders. See I Cor. 5:9-13. One is associated with problems and unhappiness, the other is fostered by blessings from God and happiness. One has as a future dwelling with Satan in hell if they have matured to the point of exercising their conscience with the knowledge of good and evil. The other has an eternal life with God, if they are found faithful at Judgment. All people from both sides will be present on the Day of Judgment (Heb. 9:27, 28).
Lesson
What is the good news (gospel) for people who have been born in the likeness of Adam? First, there is the “in Christ” realm. Its availability is a perpetual spiritual reality. There is a tendency to call it a place or appoint it to a portion of time; however, we should not think of it as belonging to a span of time or a geographical place. This may sound like an awkward statement, unless we view it through the eye of faith. It is neither a place on a map nor can it be dated. This is an abode for spiritual thinking people. It belongs to the spiritual realm of eternity (Eph. 2:6). It is available as an abode in time right here in our world. The “in Christ” realm is the work of God through Jesus Christ. It had its beginning in time. It was first preached on the Day of Pentecost after Jesus, the Son of God, returned to heaven and it is recorded in biblical history in Acts chapter two. You will know you have found the ‘in Christ” scenario when you find our Lord’s church (Acts 2:47). The members of the church are citizens of God’s Kingdom. They function as the body of Christ (Rom. 12:3-8; Acts 26:18; Eph. 1:22, 23; Phil. 3:20, 21).
The next good news for the person born in the likeness of Adam is that he or she can transfer into this new spiritual realm. Their eternity can begin right now in this world. Sinners who are still in the world realm should ask this question: “How can I make the transfer?” To give him or her an answer from God’s word, we must recall how Jesus came into this world by being born in the likeness of Adam. He lived a perfect life in a fleshly body with the knowledge of good and evil. He never chose evil, even once. He enlightened mankind about the law of life (John 1:3-5). He died to give the world the only perfect sacrifice for sin. God raised Him up. This is how Jesus prepared the path for mature mankind to get out of the “in Adam” situation in the world and to be transferred into Christ. This story about Jesus of Nazareth is the same story that made possible the “in Christ” aeon. On the day of Pentecost, in Acts 2, it gave sinners access to the “on earth” dimension of God’s kingdom with Christ as King.
Now let us see how to make the transfer. Jesus said to Nicodemus, one cannot expect to see the kingdom of God except he or she is born again. John 3:3-8. It is possible to transfer from the domain of darkness “in Adam in the world realm” to the kingdom of God “in Christ” right now in time. We understand the saints at Colossae had made this transfer in the first century (Col. 1:12, 13). We also find some other interesting terminology in the first chapter of the Colossian letter. All things have been created for Jesus and through Him. All things hold together in Him. He is the head of a body. The members of His body are at the same time members of the church He built.
True, Christ has ascended to the right hand of God; nevertheless, it is possible to become a part of His body while living right here in this world (Col. 1:16-18). Let us summarize by saying we have found how we can become a citizen of God’s household (Heb. 3:6). We can be transferred into God’s kingdom. Jesus Christ’s church is Christ’s body. It is identified in both Corinthian letters as the church of God because Jesus came only to do God’s will (John 5:34). We can enter Christ’s church now. It is recorded in Acts, chapter two, when and how it happened for the first time. Three thousand people transferred from the world realm to this new “In Christ’ realm (Acts 2:38, 47).
Jesus told Nicodemus people must be born again to be a part of this great spiritual kingdom of God and Christ (Eph. 5:5). We only have these two choices of abode for, “that which is born of flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” John 3:6. Jesus Christ prepared the spiritual path with His death, burial and resurrection for a sinner to experience. This path leads from death to life (John 5:24). Jesus’ resurrection was accomplished by the power of God. This power is a part of the way people in Adam can be born again. We are born again when our inner-man passes through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ with Him. This must be preceded by one’s faith in the gospel and repentance. Thanks be to God it is a spiritual exercise; consequently, it will not hurt us in a physical manner as it did Jesus.
There must be water and a prepared spirit in order to have a new birth (John 3:5). It is a spiritual birth. We die with Jesus. We are buried with Jesus and just as God raised Him up, He will raise us up. God and Jesus are with us via the Holy Spirit in this spiritual birth. The only event in which all of this can happen is in water baptism according to the Bible. Our lesson text in Romans 6:1-11 shows how a new birth is accomplished for the man “in Adam.” He joins Jesus in His death, he is buried with Jesus, and just as God raised Jesus up, He will also raise him up to a newness of life “in Christ.” Rom. 6:3, 4. Since this is the new birth of the spirit of the man born in Adam, it does not change his or her status of being in Adam in relation to their body. Christians still have the same body and the potential weaknesses we had before his spirit was made alive to God.
The principle set forth in I Corinthians 15:22 still stands; “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” This means the man in Adam who has been born again is alive to God in his spirit; however, he is still in a body that will die physically. Even though his or her physical death is unavoidable the principle works for both the body and spirit. Both the body and the spirit of mankind will die because they relate to Adam. Both can be made alive eternally. This will be worked out about the body in a future study of Romans 8:9-11. See Philippians 3:20, 21; I John 3:1-3.
Paul, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, said it all happened in baptism. In I Corinthians 12:13, he said this baptism also was the way the Corinthians got into Christ’s body, which is the church. The Corinthians were referred to as the church of God who had been sanctified “in Christ” (I Cor. 1:2). Therefore, we conclude that the way we transfer from the kingdom of darkness in the world realm into the “in Christ” age is by a new birth. The new birth can be accomplished by passing through the death, burial and resurrection with Jesus by the emersion in water. In order for this baptism to be a spiritual event, faith is first established along with a repentant heart in the sinner. This baptism is of Divine origin because it was instituted by God to initiate the final stage of a new birth. Read Acts 8:35-39 to see a practical example.
Let us be reminded of the blessings immediately gained for sinners by their transfer into the kingdom of God’s Son (Col. 1:13). Christians are freed from all the problems in Adam as reigning powers. Our past sins are marked as “forgotten” in the mind of God so we can forget they ever happened (Heb. 8:12). We are now a part of Christ’s body, which is His church. The church is the citizens of God’s kingdom on earth. Our new status is sons of God with His own Holy Spirit dwelling with us as a seal of our new identity. Of course, there are many other blessings, such as the new covenant we accepted in our repentance, God’s righteousness, the priesthood of Jesus Christ, justification, sanctification, and the Bible (Eph. 1:3-14). All of this and hope for even better things is a result of grace reigning through righteousness for those “in Christ!” See Rom. 5:21.
“In Christ” we are fellow citizens with all of God’s saints and these saints make up God’s household or kingdom. This is God’s holy temple and His dwelling place here in our own world. These are the citizens of God’s kingdom on earth. Jesus Christ is the cornerstone and the apostles and the prophets’ teachings are the foundation (Eph. 2:19-22). Therefore, to be ‘“in Christ” means we are citizens of God’s Kingdom.
Questions for Discussion
- What is the most sublime concept in our time?
- Discuss Matthew 24:40, 41 in relation to the two ages, or realms, that are now functioning simultaneously in this world.
- What is the good news for the man born once “in Adam?”
- Why might it be awkward to find terminology to describe the “in Christ” realm?
- To discuss our transfer of realms, whose life must first be discussed?
- Make the connection between God’s kingdom and the “in Christ” realm.
- Christ was resurrected to the right hand of God. Name the spiritual entity of Himself He left here for mankind.
- Connect Christ’s church to the “in Christ” realm.
- Give your understanding of I Cor. 15:22.
- Connect yourself to the “in Christ” realm.
