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Inclusion and Union

Greg Williams at the West African Leadership Conference

Dear GCI Family and friends,

It is important that we have theological clarity as to what we mean when we use the popular phrase, “All are included in the life and love of Jesus.” It is exciting and life-changing to grasp and participate in what God has accomplished for all humanity in and through His incarnate Son, Jesus. In our hearts, we want this for all people.

Dr. Gary Deddo addresses what we do and don’t mean by “included” in Christ and the meaning of “union with Christ.”

I note the difference between the personal union of the two natures in Christ (the hypostatic union) and our spiritual union by the Holy Spirit that incorporates us into the Body of Christ (what normally union with Christ has meant). It is by the ministry of the Holy Spirit that frees our response of repentance and faith so that we have a relationship of communion (koinonia) and personally receive the benefits Jesus Christ has for us. The two are not the same even though they are necessarily related. Our union by the Holy Spirit depends absolutely upon the whole Christ, the hypostatic union that makes Him one in being with God and one in nature with us.

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6 thoughts on “Inclusion and Union”

  1. Thank you, Greg. All of us are fellow humans, created in God’s image. Jesus enables me to see how he includes all nationalities, races, and cultures, forgiven and reconciled to our Triune God, through him. I’m grateful to be one of the innumerable multitudes drawn to him on his Cross.

  2. Thanks much for this contribution focusing on “inclusion theology”. Our fellowship has been through many struggles, the result being a better understanding of the gospel’s beauty in the person of Christ and what this means for all of humanity. May we continue to be open to the lead of the Holy Spirit.

  3. God’s definition of “all” is not “every human being.” God’s definition of “all” is His Elect only. Humans are not born with the ability to believe that Jesus is Christ. What do you think the “born again” process Jesus describes in Jn 3:3 – 5 is all about?

  4. Well said. In summary: There is a difference between belief and trust. Belief is a gift from our Father; trust is what is developed by a lifetime of walking and talking with our Lord. Peter was given the knowledge that Jesus was the Son of God. But his trust was in its infancy as he found out when he took a step or two on the water.

  5. Thanks Greg for reminding us of this vital clarification in our theology. The whole goal and purpose of the hypostatic union was to make it possible for mankind to enter into a spiritual union with the father and son through the holy Spirit.

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