---
title: 'Thornwell on Union With Christ'
type: post
author: 'R. Andrew Myers'
date: 2025-07-17
url: https://confessional.org/blog/2025-thornwell-on-union-with-christ
---

# Thornwell on Union With Christ

“Union with Christ through the effectual working of the Holy Ghost, this makes a Christian man — and whoever is joined to the Head possesses communion with all the members. He is an element of the true church, a member of the vast congregation chosen by the Father, redeemed by the Son, and renewed by the Spirit. He is in favor with God and is saved, not upon the vague principle of an undefined mercy, but through the blood of that everlasting covenant which extends only to the church. All that possess the spirit of Christ possess Christ, and all who possess Christ possess all things essential to salvation. They are complete in Him.” — [**James H. Thornwell**](/authors/james-henley-thornwell), *The Christian Pastor* (1847)