We have seen our legal redemption that would deliver us from our union by nature with the enemy, and his dominion over us.
Our old man or nature was crucified with Christ so that the mortal body that was a vehicle for sin might be rendered powerless.
That redemption was planned by God, accomplished through the finished work of Christ, and is ministered to us by the Holy Spirit to Christ in our spirit, the living word.
Ephesians 2: 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).
In the mind of the Father then, when Christ was made alive, we were made alive.
That became operative within us when we accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
You notice that we were not only made alive with Christ, but we were justified with Christ.
Romans 4: 24 but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.
We were declared righteous when Christ was declared righteous.
When the heart sees this clearly, it is emancipation and deliverance. It is “together with Christ.” It is utter identification with Him.
Then He says, “By grace you have been saved” (Ephesians 2:5).
And raised us up with him and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6 ASV)
The expression, “Raised us up with him,” spells out in letters of light our deliverance from Satan’s dominion.
If He raised us up with Him, then we are taken out of satanic bondage.
“And made us to sit with him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus.”
Jesus, a Man, is seated at the right hand of the Father.
His chair represents absolute dominion over the universe.
He is our representative. We are seated in Him.
We are so utterly identified with Him that, in the mind of the Father, He and we are one.
Oh, that our minds might grasp this. “By grace you have been saved.”
The Greek word that is translated “saved” here is sozo, which can be translated “healed.
The new birth is the healing of our spirit.
John 20: 21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
This is the new birth.
Acts 2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
This is the baptism of the Holy Spirit.