A New People in Christ: Adam, Israel, and Union with Christ in Romans

What is union with Christ? What role does this theme play in the Epistle to the Romans? Does union with Christ have an Old Testament background or did Paul create the concept for his own theological purposes? These questions will be answered in this exegetical study of Romans. Special attention is given to Paul’s use of Old Testament stories in relation to union with Christ. It will be shown that Paul understands union with Christ to be the climax of the human story—a story of creation and rebellion that includes all people, regardless of ethnic or social background. Those who believe in Jesus as the promised Messiah experience restoration as they move from union with Adam into union with Christ. United to Christ, the church finds unity in a new identity—as a new people in Christ.