Lesson 3 of 5 — Knowing Christ: A Study

How Do We Become United With Christ?

Purpose of this lesson: To see from Scripture how we become united with Christ — not merely through religious ideas or outward labels, but through grace, faith, repentance, baptism, and life by the Holy Spirit.

We become united with Christ by grace through faith, turning back to God, being joined to Christ, and remaining in Him by the Spirit.

What You Will Learn

  • What it means to be united with Christ through faith
  • Why repentance is a necessary part of coming to Christ
  • What happens spiritually when we are baptised into Christ's death and resurrection
  • What the Holy Spirit's role is in the Christian life
  • How we are called to remain in Christ
Before You Begin Before you begin, consider this: union with Christ is not earned — it is received. Ask God to help you see what it means to truly belong to Him, not only in mind but in life.

Key Scriptures

  • Ephesians 2:8–9
  • Mark 1:15
  • Romans 6:3–5
  • Acts 2:38
  • John 15:4–5
Studying with someone? Read the Scriptures aloud together, move slowly, and leave room for honest questions. The goal is not to rush through material, but to see Christ clearly and respond to Him sincerely.

1. We Are Saved by Grace Through Faith in Christ

Union with Christ begins with God's grace.

We do not save ourselves. We do not earn forgiveness by our own strength, religious works, or personal goodness.

"By grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God."
Ephesians 2:8
"Not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Ephesians 2:9

Grace means that salvation comes from God's mercy, not from human pride.

Faith means trusting Christ — not only believing facts about Him, but entrusting ourselves to Him as Lord and Savior.

"Believe in God, believe also in Me."
John 14:1
"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved."
Acts 16:31

Faith is not empty words. True faith receives Christ, comes to Him, and begins to follow Him.

"As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God."
John 1:12
Main idea We do not come to Christ because we are already worthy. We come because He is merciful. We come because He calls sinners. We come because He alone gives life.

2. We Turn Back to God in Repentance

Faith and repentance belong together.

"Repent and believe in the gospel."
Mark 1:15

Repentance means turning back to God. It is not only feeling regret. It is a change of direction. We stop defending our sin, stop living as if we belong to ourselves, and return to the God who made us.

"Repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away."
Acts 3:19

Repentance does not mean we become perfect before coming to Christ. Rather, it means we stop hiding from God and come honestly into His light.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
1 John 1:9

A person cannot sincerely come to Christ while choosing to remain lord over his own life. Jesus saves us from sin, not so that we may continue serving sin, but so that we may belong to God.

"You are not your own... You were bought for a price."
1 Corinthians 6:19–20
Repentance is not earning salvation. It is the humble response of a heart that has heard Christ's call and turns back to God.

3. We Are Joined to Christ's Death and Resurrection

Scripture speaks of union with Christ in a deep and powerful way.

"All of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death."
Romans 6:3
"We have been buried with Him through baptism into death."
Romans 6:4

Baptism is not presented in Scripture as a mere human label or empty ceremony. It points to being joined to Christ Himself — to His death, burial, and resurrection.

Christ died, and we die to the old life.
Christ was buried, and we leave the old life behind.
Christ rose, and we are called to walk in newness of life.

"So that we too might walk in newness of life."
Romans 6:4
"If we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection."
Romans 6:5
"All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."
Galatians 3:27
Main idea This is not about joining a religious system. It is about belonging to Christ. To be united with Christ means His death becomes our death to sin, and His life becomes our new life before God.

4. We Receive Life by the Holy Spirit and Remain in Christ

The Christian life is not lived by human strength alone. God gives the Holy Spirit to those who belong to Christ.

"Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Acts 2:38
"If anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation."
2 Corinthians 5:17

The Holy Spirit gives life, leads us, strengthens us, and forms Christ in us.

"If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him."
Romans 8:9
"All who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God."
Romans 8:14

But union with Christ is not only the beginning of the Christian life. We must remain in Him.

"Remain in Me, and I in you."
John 15:4
"Apart from Me you can do nothing."
John 15:5

To remain in Christ means to continue trusting Him, listening to His word, depending on His grace, praying, obeying, bearing fruit, and living in His love.

"If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love."
John 15:10
So becoming united with Christ is not a cold religious act. It is entering into life with Him. By grace, through faith, in repentance, through baptism, and by the Holy Spirit, we are brought into Christ and called to remain in Him.

Key Truth

We do not save ourselves.

We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Faith receives Christ and trusts Him as Lord and Savior.

Repentance turns us back to God.

Baptism joins us to Christ's death and resurrection and points to the beginning of a new life.

The Holy Spirit gives life, leads us, and forms Christ in us.

To be a Christian is not merely to belong to a religion or accept ideas about Jesus.

It is to be united with Christ, belong to Him, and remain in Him.

"Remain in Me, and I in you."
— John 15:4

Check Your Understanding

  1. Multiple choice: According to Ephesians 2:8–9, how are we saved?

    • A. By keeping the law carefully enough
    • B. By grace through faith — not by works, so that no one can boast
    • C. By being baptised and attending religious services
    • D. By belonging to the right community of believers
    Show suggested answer

    B. Ephesians 2:8–9 is clear: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Salvation is God's gift received through faith, not earned by human effort.

  2. True or false: Repentance means feeling sorry for sin but does not require any change in direction.

    Show suggested answer

    False. Biblical repentance (the Greek word is metanoia) means a change of mind that leads to a change of direction. It is more than sorrow — it is turning away from sin and turning toward God. Feeling sorry without turning is remorse, not repentance.

  3. Scripture connection: Romans 6:4 says we are "buried with him by baptism into death, so that... we too might walk in newness of life." What does this verse teach about what baptism represents?

    Show suggested answer

    Baptism represents union with Christ in His death and resurrection. Going under the water symbolises dying to the old life of sin. Coming up from the water symbolises rising to a new life in Christ. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward spiritual reality — that those who trust in Christ have died to their old selves and been raised with Him.

  4. In your own words: What does Jesus mean in John 15:4–5 when He says "remain in me, and I in you"?

    Show suggested answer

    Jesus uses the image of a vine and branches. A branch cut off from the vine dies and bears no fruit. To "remain in Christ" means to stay connected to Him — through prayer, through His word, through continued trust and obedience. It is not a one-time event but an ongoing relationship. Without this connection, spiritual life is not possible.

  5. Personal response: The Holy Spirit is described as a helper, a counsellor, and a seal of belonging to God. In what area of your life do you most need the help and presence of the Holy Spirit right now?

    Show suggested answer

    There is no single correct answer. This question invites honest, prayerful reflection. The Holy Spirit is given to all who belong to Christ — He brings conviction, comfort, guidance, and strength. Take time to bring your specific need to God in prayer.

Review

  1. According to Ephesians 2:8–9, how are we saved?
  2. What does Acts 2:38 call people to do in response to the gospel?
  3. What does Romans 6:4 say happens when we are baptised?
  4. What is the Holy Spirit described as in John 14:16–17?
  5. What does it mean to "remain in Christ" according to John 15:4–5?

Reflection Questions

  1. Why is salvation by grace and not by human boasting?
  2. What is the difference between simply believing facts about Jesus and trusting Him?
  3. What does repentance mean in real life?
  4. How does Romans 6 connect baptism with Christ's death and resurrection?
  5. What does it mean to remain in Christ?
  6. Am I trusting Christ only with words, or am I learning to belong to Him with my whole life?

After This Lesson

Read Romans 6:3–11 and ask God to help you live as someone who is truly united with Christ.

Before moving on, pause. Pray. Ask God to make this union with Christ real — not only as a doctrine you understand, but as a life you are truly living. Ask Him to keep you in Christ, to lead you by His Spirit, and to grow His life in you.

"Father, let me remain in Christ and belong to Him with my whole life."

← Back to Study overview