Studies From Romans
Lesson #9: Being Conformed to the Image of His Son (Romans 8:28-30)
In this lesson we are going to be looking at the phrase “conformed to the image of his son”. It is found in verse 29 of our passage. To learn what this phrase means we will learn about the image of God, what happened to that image when Adam sinned, and what will it mean for us to have this image again.
The Image of God:
When Adam was created, he was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). The image of God is Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4 ; Colossians 1:15 ; Hebrews 1:3). When Adam sinned, he lost that image (Genesis 5:3), note here that Seth is in Adam’s image not the image of God. Therefore, we are born in Adam’s image and not the image of God.
Church Age salvation and the image of God:
During the Church Age when a person is saved they are baptized into the body of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-13 : Galatians 3:26-29). Because of this along with spiritual circumcision (Colossians 2:9-13), there is a new man created in righteousness on the inside of our body that is separate from our body (Ephesians 4:22-24). Salvation in the Church Age then restores to us the image of God but only in a spiritual sense. The image has not been restored physically.
Conformed to His Image:
In our passage we see that we are predestinated to be conformed to the image of his son. This is connected with adoption, which is the redemption of the body (Romans 8:23), in Ephesians 1:5.
A saved person will receive their glorified body at the Rapture (1 Corinthians 15:51-57 : Philippians 3:20-21). This is why we are said to bear the image of the heavenly in 1 Corinthians 15:49.
The Glorified Body:
If you are wondering what this body will be like you are not alone, but it appears from the above verses that it will be like the resurrected body of Jesus Christ. Therefore, if we look at Jesus after the resurrection we can see some characteristics of this body.
1) It is a flesh and bone body (Luke 24:39)
2) As a flesh and bone body it can eat and drink (Luke 24:40-43)
3) Cover great distances in a short period of time (Mark 16:9 ; John 20:16-17 ; Matthew 28:9)
4) It can enter closed doors (John 20:26-29)
Studies From Romans
Lesson #9: Being Conformed to the Image of His Son (Romans 8:28-30)
Handout
1) What is the image of God?
2) What happen to Adam and the image of God when he sinned?
3) How does this affect us?
4) What does salvation in the church age do for us in regards to the image of God?
5) What does it mean to be conformed to the image of his son in Romans 8:29?
6) What are some of the characteristics of the glorified body?