Union With Christ that act of divine grace by which we are joined to Christ; and is considered, 1. As virtual, or that which was formed from all eternity (Eph 1:4); 2. Vital, or spiritual, formed in the moment of our regeneration (Joh 17:26; 1Jo 4:13). It is represented in the Scripture by the strongest expressions language can admit of, and even compared to the union between the Father and the Son (Joh 17:11,21, etc.). It is also compared to the union of a vine and its branches (Joh 15:4-5); to the union of our food with our bodies (Eph 6:24,24); to the union of the body with the head (Eph 4:15-16); to the conjugal union (Eph 5:23,30); to the union of, a king and his subjects (Mt 25:34,40); to a building (1Pe 2:4-5; Ephesians 2 21,22). It is also represented by an identity or Sameness of spirit (1Co 6:17); by identity of body (1Co 12:12,27); by an identity of interest (Mt 25:40; Joh 20:17). This union must be considered, not as a mere mental union only in comfort or notion; nor a physical union, as between the head and the members; nor as an essential union, or union with the divine nature; but as a mystical union (Ephesians 5, 32); an honorable union (1Jo 3:1-2); a supernatural union (1Co 1:30); holy (1Jo 3:24); necessary (Joh 15:4); inviolable (Ro 8:38-39). Some state it, thus: 1. A union of natures (Heb 2:11); 2. Of actions, Christ's obedience being imputed to us, and our sins reckoned to him (2Co 5:21); 3. Of life (Col 3:4), 4. Of sentiment (2Co 5:17); 5. Of interest (Mt 25:34, etc.); 6. Of affection (2Co 5:14); 7. Of residence (Joh 17:24). The advantages of it are knowledge (Eph 1:18), fellowship (1Co 1:9), security (John 15) felicity (1Pe 1:8), spirituality (Joh 15:8); and, indeed, all the rich communications of spiritual blessings here and hereafter (Col 1:22). The evidences of union with Christ are: light in the understanding (1 Peter 2, 9); affection to him (Joh 14:21); frequent communion with him (1Jo 1:3); delight in his word, ordinances, and people (Ps 27:4; Ps 119); submission to his will, and conformity to his image (1Jo 2; 1Jo 5). See Dickinson, Letters, let. 17; Flavel, Method of Grace, ser. 2; Polhill, On Union; Brown, Compend. 5, 1.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More