The Starting Point of Christianity; Hebrews; Union With Christ

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I do not like the style of the tract1 I confess; it is what we call in French a style ampoulé (I do not use a hard English word), but sets out to say wonderful things in a wonderful way. But to doubt that Christ is glorified, is to doubt the plainest passages of scripture. See John 13:31, 32; 17:531Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him. (John 13:31‑32)
5And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. (John 17:5) Tim. 3:16, and practically many passages, if the word glory be not used, as 1 Peter 3:2222Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. (1 Peter 3:22); Acts 2:3333Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. (Acts 2:33). The passage the tract alludes to is plain enough too, Eph. 1:20-2320Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:20‑23). John 7:3939(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (John 7:39) is specific in its statement: the Comforter could not come till Jesus was glorified; but He is come according to promise. John 12:1616These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. (John 12:16) is equally definite. I might go on citing passages in numbers, for it lies at the basis of Christianity, but it is hardly necessary after these.
It is a mistake to deny actual union with Christ. It is true that it is not a material union of flesh, but Spirit is as real, and more real than flesh, though not material. " Of his flesh and of his bones" should not be insisted on, because it is not found in the best copies. Dead and risen with Christ is the scriptural language. Union with Him in death is not exact, because real union with Him is only when He is glorified, and we have received the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is the power of this union (see 2 Cor. 1:21, 2221Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. (2 Corinthians 1:21‑22)), and the reality of this union is definitely stated in 1 Cor. 6:1717But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:17). Christians may not have learned this, and then we must have patience. They lose a great deal, but God can reveal this also unto them. The other point belongs to simple faith in the plain statements of scripture, and belongs to the basis of Christianity, because the baptism of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost was dependent on it, and it is part of Christ's glory, as the foundation of all we are entitled to. See Heb. 2, as defining the position: He is glorified, but all things are not yet put under Him.
If you put these passages peacefully and graciously before our brother, he will doubtless see it is so, and that may lead him on to the other point, which, though plainly stated in scripture, is more connected with experimental acquaintance with that state.
Birkenhead,
December 7th.