Genesis 31:22-55; Sin in the Camp

From 10 Sept 2023, Sin in the Camp; from Genesis 31:22-55. There is a very real risk of sin causing problems in the home and local assembly of saints. The only remedy is to be found in Christ.

 

The Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of God

God has always related to His creation as a king. The way Moses described YHWH after He had created all things - He rested - conveys the idea of a sovereign who has built his palace and sits down - rests - to enjoy his realm and begin his rule.

During the early days of national Israel's sojourning, God was their King and He communicated with His people through prophets and priests. As national Israel strayed and polluted herself with the culture of the pagans, she demanded a human king as they all had. YHWH permitted this, and the record in Scripture reveals that there was a remnant among the kings of Israel just as there was among her people; but for the most part, kings and people were reprobates.

This was to set the stage for the appearance of the promised Messiah who would be the final King for the people of God. Jessus came proclaiming and explaining what His kingdom was; it is clear that He was not here to become a king in the line of Saul over a small nation in the mid-east any more than He was to be a priest in the line of Aaron. The sovereign rule of this King would be akin to His priestly role - not in human tradition, bound by laws made for humans, but based on His nature: the eternal Son of the living God.

The Kingdom – royalty, rule, realm. Kingdom of heaven vs kingdom of God. According to the Old Testament and the Semitic conception generally, the kingship and the exercise of legislative and judicial authority are inseparably united. There are some who insist the kingdom of heaven is different from the kingdom of God; they claim the kingdom of God is an earthly kingdom of this age which is being established for the revival of national Israel and the kingdom of heaven is a spiritual kingdom being established for Christians. This is odd when we consider that "kingdom of heaven" shows up only in Matthew - the "Jewish" gospel. Why would Matthew use a term that did not fit the Jewish dream? A review of these phrases will reveal they are the same, referring the one kingdom of God, not two. This one kingdom has only regenerated people within; one cannot even see this kingdom unless he is born from above.

Jesus is heralded as King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Tim 6:15), which is a citation of Deuteronomy 10:17. This is another proof that Jesus is God. Also, recall from a previous lesson - we are called "spiritual stones" being built up into a habitation for God. Why would this spiritual habitation need an earthly kingdom? There was an earthly kingdom; it served its purpose and was brought to an end, as Jesus declared, Matt 21:43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing its fruit. By this, Jesus was promising the end of national Israel and the inauguration of the true and final kingdom. This aligns with what Jesus said in His sermon on the mount, wherein He said, “Don’t assume that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill." (Matt. 5:26) In Matthew's gospel, the word "fulfill" conveys an eschatological or prophetic sense, not the idea of keeping or enforcing. "Fulfilled" means to bring something to it intended, planned end; as we read in Mark 1:15 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe in the good news!”

 

Let's look at some Scripture to see how this kingdom is described.

Luke 16:16 “The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then, the good news of the kingdom of God has been proclaimed, and everyone is strongly urged to enter it.” This is a huge truth that we must grasp – the kingdom being announced during the time of Christ is something new and different from that kingdom of David. Recall that God Himself was Israel’s King until His people drifted away and decided they wanted to be like all the pagan nations and have a king them could see and understand, even if these mortal kings turned out to be tyrants. In our time, we see God's people drifting into various movements designed to make the people of the world comfortable in the assembly of saints. YHWH took the kingdom from Solomon (1Kgs 11:11-13 Then the LORD said to Solomon,“Since you have done this and did not keep My covenant and My statutes, which I commanded you, I will tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. However, I will not do it during your lifetime because of your father David; I will tear it out of your son’s hand. Yet I will not tear the entire kingdom away from him. I will give one tribe to your son because of my servant David and because of Jerusalem that I chose.”) Recall what Jesus said: Matt 21:43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing its fruit. The nation (Greek word ethnos, meaning people group, not a political nation) that would bear fruit are those from every people, tongue, and tribe that God has called out of the world, into His kingdom of glory.

Matt 5:3 “The poor in spirit are blessed, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

Matt 5:10 Those who are persecuted for righteousness are blessed, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

Matt 13:11 He answered them, “Because the secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given for you to know, but it has not been given to them.

These passages show that the children of God inherit the kingdom. Others do as well, but let's look at a couple that demonstrate equality and sameness between the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God.

Compare Matt 18:3 “I assure you,” He said, “unless you are converted and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" with Mark 10:15 "I assure you: Whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” See also Luke 18:17 I assure you: Whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Same message, same entrance requirements for both - the same kingdom. Entrance by fleshly connection to Abraham doesn't enter in either one.

Same with Matt 19:23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “I assure you: It will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven!" and Mark 10:23 Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” and Luke 18:24 Seeing that he became sad, Jesus said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" The point is not that there are two kingdoms, but that flesh and blood and money cannot gain entrance into the kingdom.

Jesus taught that the kingdom was inaugurated now but would consummate later - when He returns.

Mark 14:25 I assure you: I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it in a new way in the kingdom of God.”

Scripture also shows us clearly that this kingdom is fit only for those are of the faith of Abraham, not the flesh of Abraham. In the book of Daniel we have what may be the most clear picture of the kingdom Jesus spoke of, in contrast to the kingdoms of the world. Dan 2:44-45 “In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, and this kingdom will not be left to another people. It will crush all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, but will itself endure forever. You saw a stone break off from the mountain without a hand touching it, and it crushed the iron, bronze, fired clay, silver, and gold. The great God has told the king what will happen in the future.” This kingdom is a heavenly kingdom with the one true King ruling and reigning. This kingdom is present in the lives of those who have in Christ in this age and it will cover the new earth in the age to come.

One more note on the unique status of the kingdom of God: all things are by Him and from Him and through Him; we have no ability to bring anything into this relationship. The parable of the talents shows us that even the money we have was given to us by the one Who commands us to be faithful. When it's all said and done, we are unprofitable servants when we have done all that is commanded us, not because our service to God is worthless but because we start from a position of spiritual poverty and have nothing of merit to bring to Him.

 

The ekklesia of Christ – the called-out ones are those in inhabit the Kingdom of God.

Luke 4:43 But He said to them, “I must proclaim the good news about the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because I was sent for this purpose.”

Acts 1:3 After He had suffered, He also presented Himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during 40 days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip, as he preached the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.

Acts 9:31 So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace, being built up and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, and it increased in numbers.

Acts 14:22 strengthening the disciples by encouraging them to continue in the faith and by telling them, “It is necessary to pass through many troubles on our way into the kingdom of God.”

Acts 14:27 After they arrived and gathered the church together, they reported everything God had done with them and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

Acts 19:8 Then he entered the synagogue and spoke boldly over a period of three months, engaging in discussion and trying to persuade them about the things of the kingdom of God.

Acts 20:25 “And now I know that none of you will ever see my face again — everyone I went about preaching the kingdom to."

Acts 28:23 After arranging a day with him, many came to him at his lodging. From dawn to dusk he expounded and witnessed about the kingdom of God. He tried to persuade them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets.

Acts 28:31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with full boldness and without hindrance.

To be in the kingdom of heaven is to be in union with Christ, for no one can even see this kingdom unless he is born from above. The local assembly of saints is an outpost of this kingdom in this age, as the world rages against the body of Christ. This is why it is crucial we see the kingdom and assembly “the church” as one it is dangerous to allow unbelievers to think they “of us” - unless the Spirit gives life, they are of their father, the devil.

The trend in the US toward so-called “mega-churches” is based on the cultural norm that people will follow a charismatic leader, and having a large congregation indicates God's approval of the work. These “churches” grow large because there is no gospel, no self-denial, no conviction of sin, no exalted Christ, no fear of God in their midst. Unregenerate people who cannot see the kingdom of God are treated as though they are His children. Yet they swept away and tossed about by the clever words and cunning deceit of man-pleasers, failing to understand that the kingdom of God is not a matter of words, but of the power of God; the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Our paedobaptist brothers have a similar problem that should be instructive to us. By failing to grasp the identity of the kingdom, they have concocted a local “church” that welcomes unbelievers who are less than 12 years of age, calling them “covenant children.” They tend to treat their little children as believers, training them to regurgitate biblical and religious doctrines to confirm their status when they approach adult-hood. They put confidence in the flesh, which, according to Jesus, profits nothing. Their congregations cannot be said to be “an assembly of saints” because they have welcomed unbelievers as members. The label foisted upon English speaking Christians, “the church,” gives cover to these people as the identity of that local assembly is not explicitly identified. It's far easier to be relaxed about who can join a “church” than it is to join an assembly of saints. Since no one can be brought into the kingdom by fleshly procreation (you must be born again!), no one should be considered a part of the assembly of saints unless there be evidence of that new spiritual birth.

One commentator:

It is easy here to go to an extreme as well in absolutely denying as in indiscriminately affirming that our Lord made men the sons of God by nature. Some of his utterances, like the parable of the prodigal son, plainly imply that notwithstanding the sinner's estrangement from God a filial relationship continues to exist. The whole trend of his teaching is that redemption restores what has been disturbed by sin. But, granting this, we must not overlook two important considerations which would inevitably lead him to emphasize the newness of the sonship which is enjoyed in the redemptive state. On the one hand, Jesus had too profound a knowledge of the seriousness of sin not to recognize that it must render man unworthy and incapable of sonship in the full, original sense. On the other hand, he had also too high a conception of the transcendent perfection of the kingdom not to find in it in this respect as well as in others something that would far surpass any religious privilege that man could call his own by nature. The kingdom neutralizes the effects of sin, but it does far more than this. It carries man to the highest limit of knowledge and love and service and enjoyment of God of which he is capable, and nothing less than the attainment of this our Lord associates with the term "sonship."

The kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of God – this is a spiritual kingdom; it is the New Covenant established by the death of Christ. Each member of the body of Christ has an obligation to protect the purity of the congregation he belongs to, not permitting pretenders to become members; how can unbelievers belong to an assembly of saints? Without faith in Christ, one has no part with Him!

The kingdom of God is the body of Christ. If we think in these terms, not being shielded by phrases and systems of theology, we will not be as prone to drift, not as vulnerable to be swayed by cunning men.

In the first place, the kingdom involves the historic unity of Jesus work with the Old Testament work of God. These two constitute one body of supernatural revelation and redemption.

Secondly, the doctrine of the kingdom stands for the principle that the Christian religion is not a mere matter of subjective ideas or experiences, but is related to a great system of objective, supernatural facts and transactions. The kingdom means the renewal of the world through the introduction of supernatural forces.)

Thirdly, the kingdom-idea is the clearest expression of the principle that in the sphere of objective reality, as well as in the sphere of human consciousness, everything is subservient to the glory of God. In this respect the kingdom is the most profoundly religions of all biblical conceptions.

Fourthly, the message of the kingdom imparts to Christianity, as Jesus proclaims it, the professed character of a religion of salvation, and of salvation not primarily by man's own efforts but by the power and grace of God. The kingdom represents the specifically evangelical element in our Lord's teaching. The same principle finds subjective expression in his teaching on faith.

Fifthly, Jesus' doctrine of the kingdom as both inward and outward, coming first in the heart of man and after wards in the external world, upholds the primacy of the spiritual and ethical over the physical. The invisible world of the inner religious life, the righteous ness of the disposition, the sonship of God are in it made supreme, the essence of the kingdom, the ultimate realities to which everything else is subordinate. The inherently ethical character of the kingdom finds subjective expression in the demand for repentance.

Sixthly, that form which the kingdom assumes in the church shows it to be in separably associated with the person and work of Jesus himself. The religion of the kingdom is a religion in which there is not only a place but in which the central place is for the Savior. The church form of the kingdom rightly bears the name of Christianity, because in it on Christ everything depends.

Finally, the thought of the kingdom of God implies the subjection of the entire range of human life in all its forms and spheres to the ends of religion. The kingdom reminds us of the absoluteness, the pervasiveness, the unrestricted dominion, which of right belong to all true religion. It proclaims that religion, and religion alone, can act as the supreme unifying centralizing factor in the life of man, as that which binds all together and perfects all by leading it to its final goal in the service of God. 

A Tale of Two Sabbaths

A Tale of Two Sabbaths

Stuart Brogden

The Bible declares itself to be sufficient for life and godliness for those indwelt by the Holy Spirit. This is the concept behind the doctrine of Sola Scriptura. People who truly hold to this doctrine will not embrace dogma that cannot be clearly taught from God’s Word. While there are myriad issues that divide denominations and churches from one another, one’s view of the Sabbath appears to be one of major contention amongst those who embrace the idea of Sola Scriptura. Within this arena there is a coalition who herald the Puritan view of the Sabbath, which is recorded in the Westminster and Second London Baptist confessions. What follows is a comparison between the biblical description of the weekly Sabbath and the confessional views of Christian Sabbatarians, according to the Second London Baptist Confession in chapter 22. Let the reader decide if the Puritans and those confessions had it right or followed traditions of man.

 

Biblical Sabbath	“Christian Sabbath”
Every 7th day (Ex 16:27-30, Ex 20:8-11, 31:15, 35:2; Lev 23:3; Deut 5:14)	Para 7: Claims One day in Seven (Ex20:8). Changed from the last day of the week to the first day of the week (citing 1 Cor 16:1-2; Acts 20:7); claiming “Christian Sabbath” as the Biblical Sabbath was abolished (no Scripture citation).
Rest from all work (Ex 16:23, 25; 20:8-10; 35:2; Lev 23:3; Num 15:32; Deut 5:12-15; Jer 17:21)	Para 8: Rest from all things (Isaiah 58:13; Neh 13:15-22).
Remain in your dwelling (Ex 16:29; Lev 23:3)	Private and public worship are commanded (para 8; no Scripture citation)
It is a sign to the Israelite (Ex 31:13, 16, 17; Lev 24:8; 2 Chr 2:4; Neh 9:14; Ezek 20:12, 20)
Death penalty for violating it, even minor activities such as picking up sticks (Ex 31:14-15; Num 15:32-36)
No fires for cooking, Sabbath day meals were prepared the day before (Ex 35:3)
Ceremonial bread, made in accordance with a strict formula, was presented (Lev 24:8; 1 Chr 9:32)
Offerings – consisting of lambs, grain, and drink (Num 28:9, 10)
Soldiers/priests guard the temple (2 Kings 11:512; 2 Chr 23:4-8)
Gentiles not bound (Deut 5:15; Neh 10:31)	Para 7: Claims “law of nature … by Gods appointment” a “moral, and perpetual commandment, binding all men, in all ages” (no Scripture citation).
Prohibited from business (buying or selling) with Gentiles (Neh 10:31, 13:15-19)
Gentiles invited to join with God’s people and keep the Sabbath (Isaiah 56:1-7)
Israel to keep the Sabbath (Isaiah 58:13)
	Duties of necessity and mercy are permitted (para 8; Matt 12:1-13)
No bearing of burdens (Jer 17:21-27)

 

Notes: 

1.       The Second London Baptist Confession (1689 LBC) cites Exodus 20:8 for setting the Sabbath one day in seven and for binding all men. That verse does not mention the frequency of the Sabbath; verses 10 & 11 both specify the 7^th day, that day which ended the week for the Hebrew nation. Every 7^th day, not one day in seven – that’s the consistent record in Scripture. Neither does that passage mention anyone other than national Israel as the subjects of this covenant and this specific command.

2.       The 1689 LBC then claims 1 Cor 16:1-2 and Acts 20:7 as a record of God having changed the day of observing the Sabbath. Read the texts – narratives showing the practice of the new church on “the day after the Sabbath.” No instruction or record of changing the Sabbath; no record of establishing the “Christian Sabbath” or abolishing the 7^th day Sabbath, which continued on during the Lord’s time on earth and the apostolic era.

3.       Because of the death penalty for minor infractions of the Sabbath command to rest (as shown in Ex 31 & Num 15), it was common in Israel for the people to ask the religious leaders for clarification of what was permissible. This developed into the complex, legalistic list of rules that were infamous in the time of Christ.

4.       The “holy convocation” mentioned in Lev 23:3 is widely considered to have been a call to prayer, praise, and instruction from the Word of God. But the biblical record (Ex 12; Lev 23; Num 28 & 29) shows a consistent requirement to cease work, with cooking meals being the only exception. There is the occasional mention of humbling one’s self, making offerings to God, and the blowing of trumpets. Some of these convocations lasted several days or weeks. There is nothing in Scripture to indicate this was a weekly occurrence of prayer, praise, and preaching; although extra-biblical history does show the post-exile nation adopting the weekly synagogue practice that was well established by the time of Christ.

5.       There are many special Sabbaths, such as the Day of Atonement (Lev 23:32) and the Sabbath year (Lev 25). This comparison is restricted to the weekly Sabbath.

6.       Nehemiah 13:20-22 reveals the only passage in Scripture wherein Gentiles are told about the Sabbath, their merchants being warned to leave the Jews alone on the Sabbath so the Jews won’t be led astray. Gentiles are not commanded by Nehemiah to keep the Sabbath.

7.       In Matthew 12, there is no support for the Mosaic Law permitting acts of mercy. We have Jesus making note that Jewish men would violate their Sabbath to save an animal. Jesus summed up His announcement that He is Lord of/over the Sabbath by saying it was "lawful to do what is good on the Sabbath." Contrary to the Mosaic Law, Jesus didn't define "good" and there's nothing indicating He was revealing the true meaning of the Sabbath law; there is nothing in the Mosaic Law that provides for acts of mercy on the Sabbath. Jesus even said the Jews broke the Sabbath by circumcising on that day, because circumcision was more important.

8.       There is not one Scripture cited by the 1689 showing the weekly Sabbath being addressed to, defined for, imposed on, or required of anyone other than those under the rule of Moses. Nor is there any biblical record of Christians keeping the Sabbath.

The Binding of Satan

The Binding of Satan

In ancient times, Satan had virtually free reign on earth – always under the rule of YHWH. The accounts in Job make this latter point clear: see Job 1:6-12 and 2:1-6; Satan could go no further than God specified.

With this rule in mind, we can understand the behavior of evil people and nations in the ancient world – carnal individuals and large groups acting out in their depraved natures according to the rule of YHWH. The well-known conflict between Elijah and the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18 shows us how unregenerate people are influenced to follow after demonic idols. This is what happens when the Spirit of God does not restrict carnal people.

In Daniel 7 we see the beast (teeth of iron, nails of bronze, ten horns), and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom. (Daniel 7:21-22) This shows that Satan was running amuck, until the Ancient of Days appeared to bind him, passing judgment on behalf of His saints

Zechariah 3:1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, with Satan standing at his right side to accuse him.

Luke 4:5-6 So he took Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. The Devil said to Him, “I will give You their splendor and all this authority, because it has been given over to me, and I can give it to anyone I want.”

We have this in Acts 16:16, “In past generations He allowed all the nations to go their own way,”. The implication being that since Christ came and inaugurated His kingdom, the nations were not free to go their own way. What caused the change?

During Jesus’ earthly ministry, Satan was Bound.

Mark 3:26-27 (HCSB) “And if Satan rebels against himself and is divided, he cannot stand but is finished! On the other hand, no one can enter a strong man’s house and rob his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he will rob his house.”

John 12:31-33 (HCSB) “”Now is the judgment of this world. Now the ruler of this world will be cast out. As for Me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to Myself.” He said this to signify what kind of death He was about to die.

Luke 10:17-18 The Seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name.” He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a lightning flash.

Colossians 2:15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; He triumphed over them by Him.

After Satan was bound, Jesus was close to His ascension.

John 14:30 I will not talk with you much longer, because the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over Me.

1 John 5:19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world is under the sway of the evil one.

1 Corinthians 10:26 for the earth is the Lord’s, and all that is in it. (citing Psalm 24:1) Though Satan had “ownership” of the kingdom of the world, God owns everything.

Satan, the strong man, was bound; yet he prowls like a lion. Satan was bound, yet he holds the whole word under his sway. Satan was bound and can deceive many. So how was he bound?

From Hal Brunson:

How can you possibly say that Satan has been bound so as not to deceive the nations?” Only in this sense—Satan is bound so that he longer exercises unilateral dominion over the nations as God calls his elect from among the inhabitants of the world. Did not Jesus Himself prophesy that there would “arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect”? (Matt 24:24) While Satan may indeed blind the nations partially, he cannot blind them completely, for God has ordained that He should call out His redeemed people from “out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” (Rev 5:9) God’s will remains inexorable and immutable in this matter, and no power in earth or heaven, not even Satan’s power, can prevent the salvation of “the Israel of God.”

People who deny that Satan is currently bound are either a.) blinded by assumptions that are not supported by Scripture, or b.) unable to accept that binding a person does not necessarily mean the complete and total disabling of that person. There is coming a day when that binding will be complete, just our sanctification will be. But that day is not now. We live in the inaugurated kingdom which will be consummated upon the return of Christ. Just as His kingdom is not yet complete or total, neither is the binding of Satan. Just as His kingdom will be complete and total when He returns, so will Satan's binding.

Hebrews 1 - The Supreme Son

 Was blessed to teach the main service this past Sunday at Community Baptist. The sermon was from Hebrews 1 - The Supreme Son. My desire was to help the saints see with eyes of faith the Lord Jesus a little bit better.

Genesis 29:31-30:24; Discord in the Family

Two things present themselves in this passage: 1.) God is involved in the lives of His people, and 2.) people are by nature sinners: jealous and self-interested. What should we learn from this, what instruction has this same God given us in our day? Unity, not uniformity. Serving one another, not self. Keeping our focus on glorifying the Lord in all we do and say. And yet we see in Scripture, saints falling prey to the same selfish ambition revealed in our passage.

 Diversity in gifting for unity in service; this is our calling in Christ. Not diversity in perversity for celebrating debauchery; this is the call of the world.

The world tells us we need to think and speak as the world or we are hateful bigots. The Lord Jesus says don't think too highly of self but also to hate evil and love truth. This is why the world hated Him and will hate us.

We are to outdo one another in love, which covers a multitude of sins. This does not mean we white wash sin; it means we do not focus on sins against us but on loving one another in spite of personal offenses. Forgive 7x70. Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ - He bore our burdens on the cross!

Justification by Faith

Rom 5:1-2 (HCSB) "Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through Him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God."

The word "righteous" in this verse shows up as "justified" in some other translations. Strong's defines the Greek word as:

G1344 δικαιόω dikaioo (d̮iy-kai-o'-ō) v.
1. to regard as righteous.
2. (judicially) to regard as innocent.
[from G1342]
KJV: free, justify(-ier), be righteous

Acts 13:38-39 (HCSB) "Therefore, let it be known to you, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you, and everyone who believes in Him is justified from everything that you could not be justified from through the law of Moses."

Rom 3:21-22 (HCSB) "But now, apart from the law, God’s righteousness has been revealed — attested by the Law and the Prophets ​— that is, God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe, since there is no distinction."   

Note this, dear saints: We have been declared righteous, been justified, by faith. We have peace with God, accessed by faith - we stand in grace that Christ has lavished upon us in redeeming us from our sin. These are explicit, showing justification being tied our believing on Jesus - not the date of His crucifixion.

Eph 2:8-10 (HCSB) "For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift — not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them." Again - saved through faith, exercised by those who were regenerated. We have good works to do, which were prepared some time ago - we did not exist but He has - always - and He chose us for salvation, applied that to us as humans in time, and causes us to walk as He ordains.

Since Scripture cannot be broken, there is no need to put meaning into passages such as Romans 4:25 to support an unwarranted claim that we were justified when Christ died or when He was raised up from the dead. Those two acts are instrumental in justifying us - if Christ be not raised we are without hope! If He did not deink our cup of wrath, we are doomed!

But nothing in Scripture mandates we think we existed in some fashion in the first century and were actually buried with Him or justified then.