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Union with Christ and the Old Testament Believer: a Test Case for Theological Systems

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Union with Christ and the Old Testament Believer: a Test Case for Theological Systems UNION WITH CHRIST AND THE OLD TESTAMENT BELIEVER: A TEST CASE FOR THEOLOGICAL SYSTEMS by Kevin Hobi A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Seminary and Graduate School of Religion Bob Jones University February 2007 To those local church families in Christ, who have faithfully cared for the spiritual needs of my own family; Bible Community Church of Mentor, OH with their pastor emeritus, John Ashbrook, diligent expositor and obedient separatist; The Baptist Church of Danbury, CT with their pastor, Dr. Dave Reinhardt, longsuffering example and caring mentor; Regency Baptist Church of Arlington, TX with their pastor, Bob Wallace, soul-winning preacher and sacrificing servant; and Colonial Hills Baptist Church of Taylors, SC with their pastor, Mike Gray, fundamentalist torchbearer and humble leader. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank those whom God has used to encourage the completion of this project. My dear wife of 18 wonderful years, Maureen, has worked tirelessly to care for the needs of a home that too often lacked the attention of husband and dad. My three kids, Brandon, Kara, and Kent, have known what it is to sacrifice desired time with their father as he furthered his education. The unwavering support and love of my family in this endeavor has been an indispensable cause of its completion and a constant source of inspiration and encouragement. I would also like to thank the tireless efforts of Dr. Dan Olinger, my committee chairman, and Dr. Robert Bell. Their detailed examination of the draft of this work contributed immeasurably to its final form. Their godly examples of humble scholarship employed sacrificially for the glory of God and the good of His church have taught me some of the most important lessons I have learned through the completion of this project. I would also like to thank my other committee members, Dr. Randy Jaeggli and Dr. Samuel Schnaiter, for their faithful ministries and valu- able input, and Dr. Layton Talbert, whose Soteriology class challenged me with the importance of the doctrine of union with Christ and enabled my selection of the theme of this study. Finally, I would like to thank my Heavenly Father, who clothes the flowers of the field and faithfully paid every dollar of tuition. Hallelujah! iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................... iii TABLE OF CONTENTS...........................................................................iv TABLES...............................................................................................viii ILLUSTRATIONS ................................................................................... ix Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................... 1 Need ................................................................................... 2 Definition of Terms ............................................................. 5 Statement of Purpose........................................................ 10 Delimitations .................................................................... 11 Previous Works ................................................................. 13 Method of Procedure ......................................................... 20 2. TREATMENT OF THE OLD TESTAMENT BELIEVER IN DEFINITIONS OF UNION WITH CHRIST – PART 1 ............. 23 Organizational Conventions of Summary Definitions ......... 24 Baptismal Definitions........................................................ 29 Bultmann..................................................................... 30 Schweitzer.................................................................... 30 Neugebauer.................................................................. 33 Ridderbos..................................................................... 35 Smedes ........................................................................ 46 Incarnational Definitions................................................... 53 The Legacy of Calvin..................................................... 55 Marshall....................................................................... 56 Douty........................................................................... 57 Nevin ........................................................................... 59 Mascall ........................................................................ 61 Treatment of the OT Believer/Assessment .................... 63 Conclusion ....................................................................... 74 iv 3. TREATMENT OF THE OLD TESTAMENT BELIEVER IN DEFINITIONS OF UNION WITH CHRIST – PART 2 ............. 76 Distinguishing Between Deissmann and Pneumatological Definitions ......................................... 77 Inclusion Through Regeneration ....................................... 82 Emphasis on Spiritual Life ........................................... 82 Inseparability of Regeneration, Indwelling, and Union... 84 Spirit Baptism as New Birth ......................................... 85 Exclusion Through Pentecost ............................................ 91 Chafer on John 14:20 .................................................. 91 Chafer on 1 Corinthians 12:13 ..................................... 93 Inclusion Through Pentecost............................................. 98 Conclusion ..................................................................... 103 4. THE OLD TESTAMENT BELIEVER AND ANTITHESES OF UNION WITH CHRIST ..................................................... 105 Methodology ................................................................... 106 Distinguishing Between Complement and Antithesis .. 106 Union Formulae Unrelated to Mystical Union ............. 108 The Direct Object Usage ........................................ 108 The Attribute Usage............................................... 109 The Agency and Representation Usages ................. 110 The Inspiration Usage............................................ 111 Antitheses Not Inclusive of the Old Testament Believer.... 113 Not Regenerated: Life “In the Flesh”........................... 113 Not Reconciled: Life “In the World” ............................ 119 Not Justified: Life “Under the Law” ............................ 121 Parameters that Exclude the Old Testament Believer....... 123 The Body of Christ ..................................................... 125 The Headship of Christ............................................... 130 The Foundation of Apostolic Revelation ...................... 131 Conclusions from Antitheses of Union with Christ........... 133 5. THE OLD TESTAMENT BELIEVER IN KEY UNION WITH CHRIST PASSAGES ........................................................ 139 Romans 5:12-21 ............................................................. 139 Romans 11:1-36 ............................................................. 144 Ephesians 2:11-3:13....................................................... 152 Soteriological and Ecclesiological Structures .............. 153 Then Versus Now ....................................................... 158 Far Versus Near ......................................................... 165 Mystery Versus Revelation.......................................... 168 The Holy Temple and the Old Testament Believer ....... 171 Conclusion ..................................................................... 173 v 6. THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND UNION WITH CHRIST........................................................................... 176 The Pneumatological Use of the Old Testament in the New Testament................................................. 179 John 3 – Are You the Teacher of Israel? ...................... 179 John 6 – Taught of God .............................................. 181 Acts 7 – Just As Your Fathers Did .............................. 182 James 4 – The Spirit Dwelling Within ......................... 183 1 Corinthians 2 – So That We May Know .................... 185 2 Corinthians 6 – I Will Dwell In You .......................... 186 Baptism As a Metaphor for the Spirit’s Work ................... 192 Baptism As a Metaphor for Regeneration .................... 196 Baptism As a Metaphor for Pentecost.......................... 199 Pentecostal Baptism As Localized Event................. 202 Pentecostal Baptism As Universal Effect ................ 209 Pentecostal Baptism and Acts 2:38 ........................ 216 Correspondence between the Baptism Metaphor and Union with Christ ........................................... 221 Spirit Indwelling and the Novelty of Pentecost ................. 223 John 7:39 – The Holy Spirit Not Yet............................ 224 John 14:17 – The Holy Spirit Abides With You and Will Be In You................................................. 230 Conclusion ..................................................................... 238 7. THEOLOGICAL SYSTEMS AND UNION WITH CHRIST ......... 240 Soteriological Universalism Versus Soteriological Nationalism .......................................... 244 The Continuing Relevance of the Law .............................. 251 The Future of National Israel........................................... 259 Conclusion ..................................................................... 268 8. UNION WITH CHRIST AND THE FULFILLMENT OF THE NEW COVENANT..................................................................... 271 Indications
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