One With the Head, One with the Body: Ecclesial Implications of Union with Christ for Membership, Baptism, and Communion

Abstract

John Murray once wrote of the doctrine of union with Christ that ‘It is not simply a step in the application of redemption…it underlies every step of the application of redemption.’ Union with Christ is a doctrine with significant soteriological import. However, it is not only in the realm of soteriology that union with Christ bears significance. This article seeks to explore the ecclesial implications of union with Christ. After working towards a definition of union with Christ, the ecclesial implications will be considered for baptism, membership, and communion.

Keywords

• union with christ
• ecclesiology
• soteriology
• baptism
• membership
• communion