We don't often stop to think why these are written two different ways, or what the difference is. And this is where things gets muddy in the Christ is in everyone doctrine. So let's take a look at what both of these mean.

In Christ.

Let's start with the most often Scripture referenced:

1 Corinthians 15:22 – For just as everyone dies because of Adam, in the same way also everyone becomes alive because of the Anointed One....

But we need to continue as this is part of a fuller narrative. Really, the whole of 1 Corinthians 15 needs to be taken into consideration, but for time and space limitations, we will focus on the immediate context.

1 Corinthians 15:20-23 – But in point of fact, the Anointed One has risen from among the dead and has become the first offering of those who have passed away. For since death was due a person, so also the raising of the dead was due a Person. For just as everyone dies because of Adam, in the same way also everyone becomes alive because of the Anointed One, each in their own military rank; the Anointed One being the first offering, and then those who belong to the Anointed One at his Coming.

To understand this, we have to first understand the first Adam and the death that was due him. The “fall” changed him both positionally and conditionally. In covenant loss, the death he experienced was spiritual death changing his condition, and shut out of access to the Tree of Life in the garden changing his position.

So 1 Corinthians 15:22 is speaking of the positional change, ending the (old) covenant with the law of sin and death, to establish the (new) covenant of the Spirit of Life. Under the headship of the first Adam, the covenant imposed after the fall (the only one available), was changed with the Last Adam to the New Covenant. Jesus, as the Last Adam came to change that position of a covenant that was still in death, to one that functioned out of Life. This is positional change is for everyone. No one needs to function under the old covenant any longer. But this is where we wash off the mud. That positional change, does not automatically bring a change in condition.

Romans 5:17-18 For since death established its reign by one person's blunder, then so much more those who take hold of the excessive measure of God's favor, and his gift of being made right with him, will reign in life through the One, that is, Jesus the Anointed One. To sum it up; just as through one blunder the judgment came to all people and led to the verdict of condemnation (the Law/old covenant), in the same way too through one act of justice, God's favor came to all people. This led to them being made right with God, and brought to life (new covenant).

You can see, that God's favor came to all people. But this led to them being made right, by the action of taking hold of that favor.

But what about 2 Corinthians 5:17? Yes, it is in Christ whereby we are a new creation. Because in order to be a new creation, the position of the covenant had to change. That old covenant (old creation) had to pass, and a new one created. Jesus did the work of this on the cross, reconciling the world to himself - but we need to continue to verses 18-20. The world is reconciled by the positional changing of covenant because of His love and favor, that leads to us taking hold of the favor to be made right with him, changing our condition. And we in turn are given the ministry of reconciliation, to bring others into restoration with God. And you can notice, in verse 20, Paul says “we plead with you on Christ's behalf to be reconciled to God”. So Paul is showing that this is not an automatic occurrence.

Colossians 1:19-23 Also makes this clarification: “that is, if really and truly you continue to follow the faith”, (so they began in faith). Romans 5:10-11, also is prefaced with verse 1, “So then as we have been made right with God through faith...”

Christ in Us.

Romans 8:8-10 Those of the natural realm can not please God. But you are not of the natural realm; rather you are of the spiritual realm, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of the Anointed One, this person does not belong to the Anointed One. But if the Anointing is in you, on the one hand your body is a dead body because of sin, but on the other hand, your spirit is alive because you have been made right with God.

It's abundantly clear, that someone can have the Spirit of God and someone else does not. Our spirit is made alive (condition), in the New covenant (position), IF they have the Spirit of God in them. Ephesians 3:17 says that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

John 15:1-6 – He is the vine, we are the branches. And non-fruit bearing branches are carried away from the vine. Jesus says abide in me, and I will abide in you. The one who remains in me, bears fruit. The one who doesn't remain in me, is thrown out like a branch. They are not part of the vine.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and died to legalism; that is to say, it is no longer I that lives, but Christ who lives in me. The life I now live in the natural realm, I live by means of faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.

1 Corinthians 15:44-48 It is sown as a soulish body (mind, emotions, consciousness), it is raised as a spiritual body (our spirit made alive). The first Adam was a living soul, the last Adam became a living spirit. The spirit doesn't come first – the soul comes first, then the spirit comes. The first person is of the dust (natural, soul) (first Adam), the second Person was from heaven. All those of the dust (soul) are like the person from the dust – all those of heaven are like the Person from heaven.

When we are like the person of the dust, we are soulish and our spirit is not made alive. (Romans 8:10 the Spirit is life, Ephesians 2:4-5 and Colossians 2:13 He has quickened (made alive) us with Christ. John 3:5-6 that which is born of natural is natural and that which is born of spirit is spirit). The Spirit of God, Christ in us, does not inhabit us in our soulish state. He became the firstfruit Person born of spirit and likewise we, though him, move from the man of dust, to the spirit. Our spirit made alive, by the receiving of His Spirit, from our new covenant position, is what connects us to His Spirit in us. This is why we also can not be one with Christ from our soul or consciousness. That is what is crucified with Christ. Christ is in those who receive Him, and have a reborn spirit. There can be great power in the soul and consciousness, and it can take the form of Christ-like and seem like the power of God. But it is only when bypassing that crucified part of us, and having a spirit made alive, do we truly connect to the Spirit and experience our oneness with God.