A. If union with Christ is meant by the phrase, the word “linked” does not express it; for while the portions of a chain are linked together, and the chain is one, still it is a unity composed of many separate links, which are not united the one to the other.
The thought in John 14:2020At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. (John 14:20), is not exactly union, while it approximates closely to it in many ways. Paul alone teaches the union of the members to Christ in one body by the Holy Spirit. John treats more of nature and relationship to the Father, and in the passage alluded to I believe it is oneness of nature and life which is the Lord’s thought. The Holy Spirit would be given in answer to His prayer to the Father (vs. 16), and when He came He would give the consciousness of (vs. 20). They would know, in the oneness of nature and life with Him who had gone away, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, that Jesus was in the Father, they in Him and He in them. It is a consciousness produced by the Holy Spirit acting in the life they possessed in the Son. I do not believe it goes as far as the unity of the body, to which the Lord never alluded; it was only taught by Paul, Union with Christ as a member of His body is a very real thing. It is not faith which unites to Him. Faith is the first principle of the new nature bestowed when the sinner is born of God. The Word of God has reached his conscience by the Holy Spirit’s application, and he is convicted of sin. Many exercises of heart may have to be learned until forgiveness of sins is known, and peace, but the life has been there. As a rule the Spirit of God seals the soul who has believed in Christ for remission of sins. It has set to its seal that God is true —this is what faith does, and God has set His seal on the soul that has believed. The Holy Spirit thus dwelling in the believer unites him to Christ in the heavenly places. This is as real as the union of a human body with its head (if not more so, for it is divine), all being vitalized by the same blood and soul. It does not depend on any amount of inward experiences, but on having received the Holy Spirit. This latter is a consequence on believing in Christ for remission of sins.
Typically, you find that the pillar of cloud and fire descended and took its place to lead Israel after the blood of the paschal lamb had been shed, and the question of sins and their judgment had been settled, and before they were out of Egypt by the redemption of the Red Sea (Ex. 13).
Historically, you find that forgiveness of sins would be followed by the gift of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:3838Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38). Such came to pass in Acts 10:43,4443To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. 44While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. (Acts 10:43‑44). The moment the words “remission of sins” passed Peter’s lips, the Holy Spirit fell on those who heard. Acts 11:1717Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? (Acts 11:17), shows that it was the gift of the Holy Spirit — in contradistinction to the gifts or signs which then and frequently accompanied it. He was given to believers — not to sinners to make them believers: “Forasmuch, then, as God gave them the like gift, as he did unto us who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ,” etc.
Doctrinally, you find in Romans 3-5, that after remission of sins is known (Rom. 4:5,65But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, (Romans 4:5‑6)), and peace (Rom. 5:11Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (Romans 5:1)), we find the love of God shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Spirit given unto us (Rom. 5:55And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Romans 5:5)), and this even perhaps before deliverance from a state is experimentally learned (Rom. 7;8).
I may be sure that if I have received remission of my sins by believing in Christ, I have, as a consequence, received the Holy Spirit. This being so, I need no further experience to know that I am united to Christ, for it is the Holy Spirit dwelling in me who effects this. The experience will follow the consciousness of relationship, and will be enjoyed in the cultivation of the things suited to it.
Put the thickness of a gold leaf between the body and the head and it is a corpse; and such is the union with Christ and His Church, that it is as real as that subsisting between the human body and its head! This union is by the Spirit of God. He unites living members in one body to Christ. “Linking” is a poor word, though a right thing may be meant.