In Christ - The Believer's Union with His Lord

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IN CHRIST

or,

THE BELIEVER'S UNION

WITH HIS LORD

by A.

J.

GORDON

BAKER BOOK HOUSE Grand Rapids, Michigan 1964

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 64-14563

Reprinted, 1964, by

Baker Book House Company

Reprinted from the

edition issued in 1872

by Gould and Lincoln, Boston

PHOTOLITHOPRINTED BY CUSHING - MALLOY. INC. ANN ARBOR. MlCHIGAN. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1964

INTRODUCTION How great is the privilege of walking with one who has walked with God! To walk and talk with him is to learn, at least, in part, the secret of his fellowship with the Lord. The life of A. J. Gordon was one "hid with Christ in God." To read his books and to sing his hymns is to be saturated with

divine truth, humbled in faith before the Sovereign God, opened to the work of the Holy Spirit, conformed more and more to the likeness of Christ, motivated to spiritual ends. It is most appropriate that seventy-five years after this man gave himself to the founding of what are now two schools of Jesus Christ and which bear his name, Gordon Co lIege and Gordon Divinity School, his description of the mystical un­

ion between Christ and the believer should once again become available among books in print. Perhaps no reader will see the Scriptures exactly as interpreted by the author, but what he says will prove provocative and helpful. The Word itself, which greets one from almost every page, will speak to the ready heart and communicate in living ac­ cents the revelation of the Triune God, engraving it upon the fleshly tables of the heart and bringing understanding, life, new vistas and abundant joy and hope. Burton L. Goddard

PREFACE. I n l F this little book should be to any in reading it, what it .has been to the author in writing it, an aid to medita­ tion upon one of the deepest and tenderest themes of the gospel, it will have served the end of its publication. It lays no claim to originality in doctrine, having sought in every line to be in humble subjection to the word of God, and constantly to reflect whatever lesser light might fall upon it from the thought and experience of good men, since as has been fitly said, "only , with all saints' can we comprehend what is the depth and length of that which is pre­ sented to us in Jesus Christ." If subjects have been touched upon which are still in the list of disputed doctrine, they have been brought forward, it is believed, in the love of the truth as it is in Jesus, and not

U

IV

PREFACE.

in the interest of any sect or party; while to controversy, "whose rough voice and unmeek aspect" have perhaps oftener repelled from the truth than won to it, no place has been given. With the humble prayer that its pe­ rusal may help some to rest in Christ with a deeper assurance, and abide in Him in greater spiritual fruitfulness, and to wait for his ap­ pearing with a more devout watchfulness, this book is now committed to the blessing of God and the use of his Spirit.

CONTENTS. PAGS

I.

IN CHRIST. -

INTRODUCTORY.

II. CRUCIFIXION IN CHRIST III. RESURRECTION IN CHRIST

IV. BAPTISM INTO CHRIST V. LIFE IN CHRIST VI. STANDING IN ·CHRIST VII. PRAYER IN CHRIST. VIII. COMMUNION IN CHRIST IX. SANCTIFICATION IN CHRIST X. GLORIFICATION IN CHRIST NOTES

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I.

INTRODUCTORY.

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