In Christ vs. Abide in Christ vs. Dwell in Christ

 

In Christ vs. Abide in Christ vs. Dwell in Christ

2 Cor. 5:17 “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”

John 15:4 “Abide in Me, and I in you.”
Eph. 3:17 “…that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”

 

Item	In Christ	Abide in Christ	Dwell in Christ
Meaning / Definition	Refers to the believer’s position, identity, and spiritual realm in Christ.	Refers to maintaining a living fellowship and continual connection with Christ.	Refers to a deeper experience, making Christ our resting place and home for our heart and life.
Focus	Emphasizes position and objective fact.	Emphasizes ongoing relationship and life union.	Emphasizes depth of indwelling and long-term habitation.
Level	Foundational: the believer is “in Christ” the moment of salvation.	Further:  requires practice, continually remaining in Him.	Deeper: taking Christ as our permanent dwelling and inward home.
Biblical Basis	- 2 Cor. 5:17 “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” - Rom. 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.”	- John 15:4 “Abide in Me, and I in you.” - 1 John 2:28 “Little children, abide in Him…”	- John 6:56 “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.” - Eph. 3:17 “…that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”
Key Distinction	Objective fact: God sees us in Christ.	Subjective practice: believers must remain connected to Christ.	Deeper experience: Christ becomes our home and habitation.
Illustration	Like a fish “in water”  — a realm of existence.	Like a branch “in the vine”  — requires continuous abiding.	Like a person “settling in a home” — long-term, deep habitation.
Application	Recognize our identity and position in Christ; no more condemnation.	Learn to draw near, rely on Him, and keep life flowing.	Experience Christ as our inner home and satisfaction in all things.

 

Summary:

• In Christ → Objective position.
• Abide in Christ → Continuous fellowship.
• Dwell in Christ → Deep inward habitation.

 

*Please refer to the June 2025 Summer Training, General Topic: Experiencing, Enjoying, and Manifesting Christ (Part 3), Chapter 4: The Mystery of God—Christ

Christ as the Embodiment of the Fullness of the Godhead

 

Christ as the Embodiment of the Fullness of the Godhead

Col 2:9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily

Heb 2:14 Since therefore the children have partaken of blood and flesh, He also Himself in like manner partook of the same

Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of Him, both His eternal power and divine characteristics, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being perceived by the things made

Col 2:9 All the fullness of the Godhead

 

Analysis Aspect	Specific Item	Detailed Content	Meaning & Application	Related Scriptures
Core Definition	Basic Truth	The complete fullness of the Triune God dwells bodily in Christ in a corporeal manner	Christ is not only God, but the complete manifestation and embodiment of the fullness of the Godhead	Col 2:9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily Matt 28:19 Baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit 2 Cor 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all Eph 1:23 The church, which is His Body, the fullness of the One who fills all in all
Nature of Godhead	Scope of Godhead	Refers to the entire Godhead, the complete God, including the three Persons: Father, Son, and Spirit	Christ possesses the complete divinity of the Triune God, not partial divinity
	Content of Fullness	Not merely God's riches, but the manifestation of God's riches; all that the Triune God is, has, does, knows, can do, accomplishes	In Christ we receive not just God's attributes, but God's complete manifestation
	Manner of Dwelling	Bodily dwelling, concretely manifested through Christ's human body	God becomes visible, tangible, receivable, and experienceable	John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us, full of grace and reality
Historical Stages	Before Incarnation	The fullness of the Godhead dwelt in the eternal Word, but not bodily	Divinity was complete but not manifested through humanity	John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Rom 8:3 God, sending His own Son in the likeness of the flesh of sin Phil 3:21 Who will transfigure the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of His glory
	After Incarnation	The fullness of the Godhead began to dwell bodily in Christ	Divinity became completely manifested and contactable through humanity
	After Resurrection and Glorification	The fullness of the Godhead dwells in Christ's glorified body forever	The manifestation of divinity reaches a complete and eternal state
Believers' Experience	Receiving Fullness in Christ	Through union with Christ, believers enjoy the fullness of the Godhead	Believers receive not a portion of God, but the complete God in Christ	Col 2:10 And you have been made full in Him, who is the Head of all rule and authority
	Actual Contact with God	The fullness of the Godhead becomes visible, tangible, and receivable	Through Christ, we can actually contact and experience the Triune God	1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we beheld and our hands handled, concerning the Word of life
	Victory over Dark Powers	Christ is above all rule and authority; believers share in this victory	While enjoying the fullness of the Godhead, we also overcome Satan's power	Col 2:15 Stripping off the rulers and the authorities, He made a display of them openly, triumphing over them in it Col 2:8 Beware that no one carries you off as spoil through his philosophy and empty deceit according to the tradition of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ
Contrasts & Defense	Against Gnostic Error	Gnostics believed the material world was evil, God could not dwell in flesh VS The fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in Christ	Christ's humanity is the perfect vessel for God's manifestation, not an evil limitation
	Distinguished from Creation	Created things can only reveal characteristics of divinity VS Christ possesses the complete Godhead	Christ is the Godhead itself, not merely a witness to God
	Distinguished from Human Wisdom	Human traditions and elementary principles VS The reality of the fullness of the Godhead	No human wisdom can compare with the fullness of the Godhead	Col 2:3 In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge
Life Application	Worship Life	Knowing Christ is knowing the complete Triune God	In Christ we worship the Father, experience the Son, and enjoy the Spirit	John 14:9 He who has seen Me has seen the Father
	Prayer Life	Praying to Christ is praying to the Triune God	No need to seek God; Christ is God's embodiment	John 14:13 And whatever you ask in My name, that will I do
	Daily Experience	Experiencing Christ is experiencing the fullness of the Godhead	Enjoying God's riches and power in daily life	Phil 4:13 I am able to do all things in Him who empowers me
	Church Life	Being made full together with the saints in Christ	Corporate manifestation of the fullness of the Godhead	Eph 4:13 Until we all arrive at the oneness of the faith and of the full knowledge of the Son of God, at a full-grown man, at the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ
Key Terms Analysis	Godhead	Powerfully indicates Christ's deity, different from divine characteristics shown by creation	Proves Christ's complete divinity
	Fullness	Not merely riches, but the manifestation and expression of riches	God's being receives complete expression	John 1:16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace Col 1:19 For it was the good pleasure of the Father for all the fullness to dwell in Him Eph 3:17 That Christ may make His home in your hearts through faith
	Bodily	Implies the flesh Christ put on in His humanity	The fullness of the Godhead is concretely manifested through humanity
	Dwelling	Real and actual dwelling, from now until eternity	The dwelling of the fullness of the Godhead in Christ is eternally unchanging
Summary Points	Core Truth	Christ is the embodiment of the Triune God; the Father, Son, and Spirit are all embodied in Christ	Apart from Christ there is no God; we cannot find or touch God apart from Christ	Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God Col 3:11 Where there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all and in all
	Practical Meaning	When we receive, experience, and enjoy Christ, we receive, experience, and enjoy the Triune God	Christ is God's dwelling place, God's address, and God's home

  

*Please refer to the June 2025 Summer Training, General Topic: Experiencing, Enjoying, and Manifesting Christ (Part 3), Chapter 4: The Mystery of God—Christ

God vs. Godhead

 

God vs. Godhead

Col. 2:9 – “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.”

Item	God	Godhead
Meaning / Definition	Refers to the one true God, the Creator, Redeemer, and Ruler of all.	Refers to the sum of God’s being and divine essence—the totality of His divinity.
Nature	A personal being, with attributes of personality: will, wisdom, emotion, and action.	An abstract quality, focusing on the divine essence and attributes of God.
Biblical Term	Greek: θεός (Theos)  – directly means “God.”	Three Greek terms: 1. θεῖον (Theion) – Divine nature (Acts 17:29) 2. θεότης (Theotēs) – Fullness of deity, essential divinity (Col. 2:9) 3. θειότης (Theiotēs) – Divinity, attributes of God (Rom. 1:20)
Key Scriptures	- Gen. 1:1 – “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” - Exod. 3:14 – “I AM WHO I AM.” - John 1:1 – “In the beginning was the Word…and the Word was God.”	- Rom. 1:20 – “…His eternal power and Godhead are clearly seen…” - Acts 17:29 – “…we ought not to think that the Godhead is like gold or silver or stone…”
Key Distinction	God is a personal Being.	Godhead is the divine essence.
Relationship	God is the subject who possesses the Godhead.	Godhead is the attribute expressing what God is.
Application	Helps us know God as a living, personal Being with whom we can have a relationship.	Helps us understand God’s divine essence and nature, so we know not only that He exists, but also what He is like.

 

Core Idea: 

God is the living, personal Being; Godhead is the divine essence.

Conclusion: 

God possesses the Godhead, and the Godhead manifests God’s attributes.

 

*Please refer to the 2025 June Semi-annual Summer Training, General Topic: Experiencing, Enjoying, and Expressing Christ (Part 3), Chapter 3: Enjoying the All-Inclusive Christ as the Good Land—Our Portion