Co crucifixion

The Doctrine of Co-crucifixion

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live…” (Gal. 2:20).

 

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom.6:3-4)

The baptism spoken of in Rom.6:3-4 is NOT referring to water baptism! There are several baptisms mentioned in the Bible, some physical and some spiritual, consider, (Acts 1:5).
It is impossible for sinners to enter the Body of Christ by being immersed in water. Sin is an internal problem, a problem of the heart. No amount of water applied to the exterior can change the interior! Believers water baptism is symbolic…it is a picture of a spiritual reality, an outward manifestation of an inward change. 
The second a sinner acknowledges his sin, repents and accepts Christ as Saviour, he is supernaturally placed in Christ. This is a spiritual operation accomplished by the Holy Spirit, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body..."  (1 Corint.12:13).

 Baptized into Death

Most believers readily understand that they have been resurrected into new life by trusting Christ for salvation    (2 Cor.5:17)… yet very few seem to fully understand how that was accomplished. Nor do they comprehend that resurrection into new life is only one part of a three part reality. Remember, baptism has three elements; death, burial and resurrection.
 
All born again believers, are in fact, not only resurrected into new life (made spiritually alive) in Christ, but also baptized (or placed into) HIS DEATH at Calvary. Thereby uniting us with His death, burial and resurrection, so that all He experienced on the cross is imputed (credited) to us.

 

WITH CHRIST WE ARE CRUCIFIED

 

 

WITH CHRIST WE ARE BURIED

WITH CHRIST WE ARE RESURRECTED

In the eyes of God the body of flesh has been crucified with Christ (co-crucifixion) and “ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” (Col. 3:3-4)

 

The Reality

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”  (Gal.2:20)

 

The Means

“For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit” (1 Cor.12:13)

 

The Purpose & Personal Application

In Romans chapter 6 verses 4-25 the apostle Paul provides a detailed explanation of this vital doctrine, revealing the purpose and importance of its personal application.
In this key chapter of scripture we are exhorted to, “reckon [consider] ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom.6:11) [Emphasis mine]
The command is to live what Christ has accomplished for us through His death, burial and resurrection, “…yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God” (Rom. 6:13)

The doctrine of co-crucifixion is meant to be a life changing truth:
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Rom.6:4)

 

Heart Attitude, the Key to Comprehension. 

“God has given us His Word not to enlarge our heads, but our hearts.”

Spiritual development depends more upon attitude of heart than intellectual understanding. Knowledge of the truth of co-crucifixion, or any other doctrine for that matter, doesn’t necessarily make it real in our lives. We must, by faith, whole heartedly seek the practical reality of it as well.
Spirituality isn’t determined by how much truth we know but rather by how much truth we live! It is essential that we choose to live what Christ has achieved for us, only then will it become our life experience.
Doctrine isn’t merely meant to be a transfer of spiritual principles from one mind to another…doctrine was designed to renew the mind and change the heart! In order to comprehend spiritual truth you must first have a heart for it (Prov.17:16) a heart that’s willing to be changed by it, Ex.35:5, 21, 22, 29. Obedience of heart that is rooted in love and gratitude for our Saviour, “We love him, because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) 
In the middle of Romans chapter 6 we find confirmation of this truth:
“But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” (Rom.6:17-18). 
“…that form of doctrine which was delivered you” the form of doctrine referred to in this verse is a complete understanding of the doctrine of salvation including co-crucifixion.
Notice verse 18, “Being then made free from sin…” When we obey from the heart, then freedom from sin becomes a practical reality.

“Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things”
(2 Tim. 2:7).