Welcome to Defenders, the teaching class of Dr. William Lane Craig.

Today, the Doctrine of Salvation, Part 7.

For more information and resources from Dr. Craig, go to reasonablefaith.org.

We've been talking about the mystical union between Jesus Christ and his church, between the

individual, regenerate believer, and Christ.

And last time we saw that the expression in Christ, or in Him, is one of Paul's favorites, some 164 times in his epistles.

Paul uses this expression to describe all that we are and have in Christ.

We saw last time that in Christ, we are chosen, called, foreordained, or predestined,

created to good works, sealed by the Holy Spirit, justified, sanctified, and co-crucified

with Christ. Today, let's continue that list by looking at some of

the other blessings that we have insofar as we are united with Christ. Number nine, then, we have adoption as sons and heirs of God.

Galatians 3, verses 16, 26, and 29.

Paul says, now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say,

and to offsprings, referring to many, but referring to one and to your offspring, which is

Christ. In other words, Paul says, this promise is primarily to Abraham's singular

offspring, Jesus Christ. He goes on to say, for in Christ Jesus Jesus, you are all sons of God

through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ

have put on Christ. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.

So the promise is primarily to Abraham's offspring, which Paul says is

Christ. But insofar as we are united with Christ, we also are Abraham's offspring, and therefore heirs of this promise of God

made to Abraham and to his offspring. This is a wonderful illustration of the union that we

have with Christ, and in virtue of that union, our sharing in a promise made according to Paul,

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