Do We Pass Out of Adam at Baptism?

This article, taken from the December, 1900 issue of THE SANCTUARY-KEEPER, shows the difference in understanding between the Amended and Unamended on some vital areas of doctrine. The left hand column is the report from the July, 1900 issue of The Christadelphian magazine, in which the editor, C. C. Walker, responds to a question from a reader. The right hand column is the reply to this article from J. J. Andrew.

We ask the question, are our readers in 1988 [and in our present day] able to answer the above question supporting it from both a Scriptural and logical basis?

Note also that the graphics on the back inside cover of this magazine agree with what the Amended wrote then, and still support—that one is still "in Adam" while at the same time being "in Christ."

The question posed to the editor of The Christadelphian was this: "Do we pass out of Adam at baptism?"

The Christadelphian July, 1900 "Out of Adam" is not a Scriptural phrase; though "in Adam" is. And the Scriptural phrase "in Adam" is used in I Corinthians 15:22 to cover those "that are Christ's at his coming." Christ himself in the days of his flesh, being the Son of Adam, was "in Adam," and, of course, as much so after baptism as before. It is inadvisable, therefore, to speak of passing "out of Adam" into Christ. The fact is that we are still painfully "in Adam" after being baptized into Christ. One might as well talk about passing out of human nature, out of flesh and blood into Christ, as to talk of passing "out of Adam." This is indeed what is really involved in the phrase; but the time of that happy transition is the resurrection and not baptism. We are well aware that the phrase has been used in times past without obscuring the truth. That there is a change of federal relationship in baptism is a glorious truth; and the phrase "out of Adam" has been used to express this change of relationship by baptism into Christ. But it is nonetheless objectionable, and when, as in current controversy, it is used to create artificial and unscriptural distinctions, it is time to discard it and hold to the "form of sound words" which the Scriptures exhibit. "In Adam" is a great circle embracing all mankind. "In Christ' is a small circle inscribed in the greater. ——End quote——

The Sanctuary-Keeper December, 1900 This answer does not treat the subject from the point of view the question demands. One part deals with the matter with the eye of the natural man, and the other with the eye of the spiritual man; and, as a consequence, there is confusion. The expression "in Christ" has a spiritual import which is not affected by the physical condition of those who have been introduced into his name; and, therefore, the expression "in Adam" must be viewed in a similar manner. It is admitted in the above answer that there "is a change of federal relationship in baptism." This expresses all that is contended for in the phrase "out of Adam into Christ," and is, therefore, the true answer to the question. From this point of view it is not true that any "in Christ" are still "in Adam," and we must protest against the expression "in Adam all die" (I Cor. 15:22) being applied to those "in Christ." It clearly has reference to those who have not entered into Christ's name. If it were true that those "in Christ" died "in Adam, they would, while in the grave, be "dead in Adam," whereas they are explicitly spoken of as the "dead in Christ" (I Thess. 4:16). It is obvious that the same persons cannot, in the same sense, be "dead in Adam" and "dead in Christ." Consequently, those "in Christ" do not die "in Adam," but such as are now dead have fallen asleep "in Christ" (I Cor. 15:18). We are not aware that anyone has ever used the expression, "passing out of Adam" in any other sense than that of change of federal relationship. The Editor of The Christadelphian has, therefore, set up a man of straw in suggesting any such thing. The phrase "passing out of Adam" is a perfectly legitimate representation of Scriptural language, and is used in precisely the same sense as when we speak of a man entering into Christ ——End quote——