Yes, being crucified with Christ means that God counts the believer as having died with Christ, a complete and instant act of God at the moment of belief.
To be crucified with Christ is to have God reckon the believer as dead in Christ, not a gradual process or human effort. It is entirely God's work, accomplished the moment one believes, and it signifies the end of the old Adam and the beginning of new life.
Romans 6:6 — This verse directly states that our old man is crucified with Christ, providing the foundation for the teaching.
Romans 6:6 declares, 'Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.' This verse emphasizes that the old self is crucified with Christ, leading to liberation from sin's dominion. Additionally, Galatians 2:20 says, '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.' This speaks of a crucifixion that results in new life.
Les Feldick teaches that being crucified with Christ is a divine act, not something a person can do. He emphasizes that crucifixion is unique because one cannot crucify oneself, making it the perfect symbol of God's work. At the moment of belief, God reckons the old Adam (the sinful nature inherited from Adam) as crucified, killing it and putting it out of commission. This is not gradual but instantaneous, and it is entirely a work of God, not of human effort. Les clarifies that although the believer is dead in Christ, they are alive physically, and this death is in the mind of God.
Les explains that crucifixion is a form of death that a person cannot accomplish on his own—one cannot drive nails into his hands and raise the pole. Therefore, it perfectly illustrates that being crucified with Christ is solely God's work, not a human achievement.
According to Les, when we are crucified with Christ, God kills the old Adam—the sinful nature we are born with. He puts it out of commission so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and henceforth we should not serve sin. This is an act of God's power upon our salvation.
Les clarifies that although we are crucified with Christ, we are alive physically, just as Paul was alive when he wrote Galatians. This death is in the mind of God, and it leads to new life in Christ.
Les teaches that this happens the moment we believe the gospel. At that point, God reckons the old Adam as dead and crucified with Christ, and life truly begins.
Introduction to Salvation Definition
Les is continuing his definition of salvation, laying the groundwork for understanding what it means to be crucified with Christ.
Crucified Yet Living
Les explains that even though we are crucified with Christ, we are alive, and it is our duty to respond to God's grace.
Crucifixion as God's Work
Les emphasizes that we cannot crucify ourselves, making crucifixion the perfect symbol of God's work on our behalf.
Old Adam Crucified
Les explains that when we are crucified with Christ, God kills the old Adam, putting it out of commission.
Galatians 2:20 Explained
Les clarifies that Paul's statement 'I am crucified with Christ' means he was crucified in the mind of God, not literally.
Death and Life in Christ
Les teaches that identifying with Christ's death brings new life and is based on faith.
Freed From Sin
Les reiterates that being dead with Christ frees us from the desires of the old Adam, by God's power.
Dead to Old Adam
Les connects being crucified with Christ to being dead to old Adam, making it clear this occurs at the moment of belief.
Romans 6:6: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
This is the key verse about being crucified with Christ, showing the purpose is to destroy the body of sin.
Galatians 2:20: 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.
This verse illustrates the paradox of being crucified yet living, as Paul explained.
Romans 6:8: Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
This verse connects our death with Christ to the hope of living with Him, as Les emphasized.
No, Les Feldick teaches that it is impossible to crucify ourselves. It is totally and completely a work of God on our behalf.
At the moment we believe the gospel, God immediately reckons the old Adam as dead and crucified with Christ.
Crucifixion brings death. In our case, it kills the old Adam, putting it out of commission, so that we no longer serve sin.
Watch the Teaching: What Does It Mean to Be Crucified With Christ?