Question: In what sense have believers been crucified with Christ?

Question

In what sense have believers been crucified with Christ?

Answer

Manifestly the believer has not been physically crucified with Christ as were the thieves: therefore it must be in another sense and the Scriptures show that they have been crucified in the forensic sense: that this has judicially taken place. Paul uses the perfect tense in Gal. 2 when he refers to this showing the abiding effects of the fact. He also alludes to the fact in Romans 6. 6 emphasizing that since this is the believer’s position in the sight of God he should constantly reckon this to be his actual position in relation to sin. In Romans 6. 8 Paul refers to it as a past act (the aorist tense) though in each case the doctrine is designed to have its counterpart in personal practice which is consistent therewith.