Positional Truth – At the moment of belief in Christ, the new believer is united with Christ in His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. This is the baptism by means of the Holy Spirit. (John 14:20; John 17:20-22; Acts 1:5; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:5).

There are two absolute relationships between man and God that are pertinent in understanding Positional Truth. There is an everlasting (or “eternal”) relationship with God that the believer possesses as of the moment of salvation, which is unconditional. The unconditional relationship that belongs to the true believer in Jesus Christ is described herein as the believer’s position or standing. The Position (Standing) of any human being is an absolute – i.e. one is either “In Adam” or one is “in Christ;” one is either an “unbeliever,” or one is a “believer” (John 3:36; 1 Corinthians 15:22; Romans 5:12). The two states are mutually exclusive, and the second state, in Christ, is permanent (Romans 8:38-39). It is not progressive (as is maturity); is not an emotional or ecstatic experience; and, is not related to human merit.

There is also a temporal (moment by moment) relationship with God which is conditional. The conditional relationship is categorized at this website as “spirituality,” which is an absolute temporal relationship with God. At any moment in time, the believer is either “spiritual” (empowered by the Holy Spirit) or “carnal” (controlled by the human sin nature). Again, the states are mutually exclusive, but unlike the position in Christ, both are temporary states according to human volition. The terms used to distinguish a person’s Spirituality (State, Condition) are “Spiritual” or “Carnal,” as well as “In Fellowship with God” or “Out of Fellowship,” and again “empowered by the Holy Spirit” or “controlled by the Sin Nature.” The carnal believer, though ineffective as a Christian, is as much In Christ as is the spiritual believer (1 John 1:5-9).

/~/ Systematic Theology Context(s):

SOTERIOLOGY

71 I. The Savior

72 II. The Accomplishments of Christ in His Death

72A A. The Removal of the Barrier Between God and Man

72A1 1. Reconciliation — Peace with God

72A2 2. The Barrier Between God and Man

72A2A a. Sin

72A2A1 (1). Unlimited Redemption

72A2A2 (2). Unlimited Atonement

72A2B b. Penalty for Sin — Death

72A2B1 (1). Expiation

72A2C c. Physical Birth

72A2C1 (1). Regeneration

72A2D d. Character of God

72A2D1 (1). Propitiation

72A2E e. Righteousness of Man

72A2E1 (1). Justification

72A2E2 (2). Imputation

72A2F f. Position in Adam

72A2F1 (1). Positional Truth

Positional Truth – Hugh Crowder

72A3 3. Other Biblical Terminology Related to Christ's Death

72B B. Judgment of the Old Sin Nature

72C C. Spoiling Principalities and Powers

72D D. Removal of Pre-Cross Sin, Once Covered by Sacrifice

72E E. Ending of the Law for Believers

72F F. Cleansing & Forgiveness for Believers in Time

72G G. National Salvation of Israel

72H H. Millennial and Eternal Blessings upon Gentiles

72I I. Errors Related to the Work of Christ on the Cross

73 III. The Work of the Father and Holy Spirit in Salvation

74 IV. The Eternal Security of the Believer — Assurance, Preservation of the Saints

75 V. The Terminology of Salvation

76 VI. Witnessing — Evangelism

77 VII. The Significance of Being a Believer

78 VIII. The Plan of God for Man

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