3 Aspects of Redemption

There are three doctrinal / theological terms which are often confused.

(1) Redemption is a bookkeeping term, and has to do with the sinward aspect of the death on the Cross of Jesus Christ. It is the transaction by which God undertook the cancelling of man’s sin.

(2) Propitiation is a legal term, and has to do with the Godward aspect of sin. It refers to the acceptance by God of this great transaction of His Son’s payment for our sin through which God is satisfied with the work of Christ.

(3) Reconciliation is a relational term somewhat similar to “atonement” in the Old Covenant. This is the manward aspect of the work at Calvary through which we are positioned in a place of acceptance because of the work of Christ.     

The word “redemption” or “redeem” means to buy back and set free. In our society you redeem something from a pawn shop. In regard to the salvation of a soul there is redemption by blood, redemption by power, and redemption through the Word of God. We see these three aspects in the first chapter of 1 Peter. 

Redemption by Blood  ~  This is the work of the Son. “Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19 – also see Ephesians 1:7, Acts 20:28, and Hebrews 9:12).

Redemption by Power  ~  This is the work of the Father. “Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God” (1 Peter 1:18-21).

Redemption through the Word  ~  This is the work of the Holy Spirit. “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the Word of God which lives and abides forever (1 Peter 1:22-23 – also see Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30, and Romans 8:23).

There is redemption by blood through the work of Jesus Christ on the Cross, redemption by power through God the Father, and redemption through the Word of God being utilized by the Spirit of God in our hearts. These great fundamental truths should be clearly stated in every presentation of the Gospel—the “Good News” for everyone.

the “good news”  ~  “But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:21-26).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

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Messiah, 23

~ The Messiah’s Blood Would Atone for Sin ~ 

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

"He shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and take its blood behind the curtain and do with it as he did with the bull's blood: He shall sprinkle it on the atonement cover and in front of it. In this way he will make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the uncleanness and rebellion of the Israelites, whatever their sins have been. He is to do the same for the Tent of Meeting, which is among them in the midst of their uncleanness. No one is to be in the Tent of Meeting from the time Aaron goes in to make atonement in the Most Holy Place until he comes out, having made atonement for himself, his household and the whole community of Israel” (Leviticus 16:15-17). 

The Messiah  

“Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:24-26).

   

Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services.  But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people's sins committed in ignorance; the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience—concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.

But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance” (Hebrews 9:1-15). 

“Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another—He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (Hebrews 9:23-28). 

   

“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (1 John 2:1-2). 

~~~ EXPLANATORY “MESSIAH” NOTES ~~~   

(1)  Each Saturday ALN posts an example of a Hebrew Scriptures prophecy (or foreshadowing) related to the coming Messiah which was fulfilled in the birth, life, death, or resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(2)  While extensive it will not be a complete list—there are hundreds of prophecies of the coming Messiah which have been fulfilled by one man—Jesus Christ at His First Coming.

(3)  It is important that there are many more prophecies of the Messiah, yet unfulfilled, which Christians believe will be fulfilled at the time of His Second Coming.  A particularly relevant Scripture verse in this regard is: “Do not despise prophesies” (1 Thessalonians 5:20).

(4)  These posts will typically consist only of Scripture—which speaks for itself.  Sometimes italicized or bold font will be used by ALN for emphasis.

(5)  The numbering of these fulfilled prophecies of the Messiah is used to differentiate individual posts. It is not chronological (either by time of the prophecy or by sequence in the life of the Messiah).  The posting sequence will, for the most part, be in the order that the prophecies appear in Scripture.

(6)  Because of the chosen methodology (#5 above) we will find many specific prophecies repeated multiple times throughout the Scriptures.

(7)  These serial posts are in addition to our regular Tuesday ALN postings on random topics.

(8)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

Propitiation

~ An Interesting New Testament Term ~   

Propitiation is one of those six-dollar theological terms. It is a complex term full of interesting and sometimes difficult concepts. We are told that Jesus Christ is the propitiation for our sin (Romans 3:22-26; 1 John 2:1-2, 4:9-11). Since it is a good Biblical term, it is worth exploring and explaining in a straightforward manner. 

Propitiation has a lot to do with the divine aspect of the Cross. The word propitiation in our English Bibles has its roots in an old English word, propitiate, which has a base meaning of appeasement.  One definition which New Testament scholars use is, “the work of Jesus Christ on the Cross by which He satisfied God's Holiness so God could extend mercy to lost sinners.”

It is also related to the Old Testament concept of atonement and the covering of sin. In the Old Testament the Mercy Seat was a way of covering sin or appeasing the Judge. Christ’s death covers the penalty of our sin and provides satisfaction to the Judge of all mankind. It includes the judicial concept of satisfying all legal requirements and gaining a judgment of complete satisfaction in a courtroom.

The death of the sinless One, Jesus Christ, is the only possible remedy for sin—the only way for forgiveness or satisfying the requirements of the judgment for those who have sinned. As we read our Bibles we must recognize that not everyone will be saved (2 Corinthians 5:14-19), but the blood of Jesus Christ is sufficient for all to be saved (Hebrews 2:9). 

This propitiatory sacrifice of Christ removes our estrangement or separation from God by appeasing or satisfying God’s right of judgment against us. The Father’s righteous judgment has been satisfied by the death of the only sinless One. Only Jesus Christ who lived a sinless life could satisfy a righteous and holy God. This is the Gospel message in a nutshell! God sent His only beloved Son—the only righteous One—to take our place of judgment in order to satisfy the righteous and just wrath of God against sinners. God’s wrath was put on Christ as our substitute. 

There are many complexities to this concept of propitiation as we see active grace, active mercy, and active love being showered upon those who could do nothing for themselves—those who would otherwise stand before God in total guilt. But an option has been provided: accept the Son’s gift of propitiation for your sins and they are covered with His robe of righteousness. Then when the Judge looks at you He sees the righteousness of His Son. 

There are two critical components of propitiation. The Judge must have a valid reason for the pardon and the Judge must have the motivation to act upon and admit the presented evidence.

In the case of our salvation the death of the sinless Lamb of God is a valid payment of sin. As the only truly righteous Judge God, the Father, acts upon the evidence and renders that our sins have been paid in full. Fellowship between God and the sinner is restored because the penalty for their sin has been paid in full by Jesus Christ.

With this background carefully read the following three portions of Scripture.

“For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:22-26 emphasis added). 

  

“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:9-11 emphasis added).

“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (1 John 2:1-2, emphasis added).

How great a God! How great a salvation! 

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: 

Redemption  is the aspect of the Cross that deals directly with the penalty of sin.

Reconciliation is the aspect of the Cross which restores fellowship with mankind.

Propitiation is the aspect of the Cross that satisfies a holy and righteous God.

The following is from an unknown source: “Then God chose to send His Son by His own Will and He willed that Christ should die and become a propitiation for our sins ( Romans 3:21-26).  What is propitiation?  Propitiation is where the wrath of God goes out as a missile and its destination is you but then Christ stands in the way of the missile.  He doesn't disarm it, He takes the blow.  The full wrath of God is displayed upon Him instead of you.  This is propitiation.”

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW