I. Savior that Christ (cf. Mt 16:13-16) CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS 1 Corinthians 15:3 II. Sacrifice died A. Jesus Died A Physical Death For Us (Gen 2:16-17; Rom 5:12-21) B. Jesus Died A Spiritual Death For Us The Spiritual Agony Of Bearing Sin (Isa 53:6-12; 2 Cor 5:21) The Spiritual Agony Of Abandonment Of The Father (Mt 27:46) The Spiritual Agony Of Bearing God s Wrath (Isa 53:10) III. Substitution for A. Old Testament Basis (Isa 53:4-12) B. New Testament Basis C. Theological Definition Personal Atonement Vicarious Atonement Provided by the offending party Provided by the offended party A matter of strict justice A combination of justice and love Never finished A completed sacrifice (From Ryrie s Basic Theology, p. 286) IV. Salvation our sins A. Saved From God s Wrath And Judgment (Propitiation = Satisfaction) (Rom 3:25-26; 1 Jn 2:2; 4:10) 1. The Payment For Sin Is Satisfied Christ Satisfied God s Penalty Not With Eternal Suffering, But Complete Payment (Jn 19:30) The Blood Requirement Of The Sacrifice Was Satisfied (Heb 9:22; Lev 17:11; 1 Pt 1:18-19; Heb 9:14) 2. The Wrath Of God Is Satisfied The Father s Righteous Wrath Is Rescinded (Jn 3:36; 1 Th 1:10) The Father s Grieving Heart Is Relieved The Father s Sovereign Plan Is Realized (Rom 3:25) The Father s Sin Penalty Is Redeemed (Hab 1:13) The Father s Righteous Reputation Is Restored (Rom 3:26) B. Saved From The Responsibility Of Payment For Personal Sin (Imputation = Transfer) 1. Adam s Sin Was Imputed To The Human Race In The Garden (Rom 5:12-21) 2. Man s Sin Was Imputed To Christ At The Cross (2 Cor 5:19; 1 Pet 2:24) 3. Christ s Righteousness Was Imputed To The Believer At Salvation (2 Cor 5:21) C. Our Relationship With Our Creator Is Saved (Reconciliation) (2 Cor 5:18-19; Rom 5:10-11; Jn 1:12) V. Scripture in accordance with the Scriptures, A. The Old Testament Pointed To Christ s Suffering And Glory (Lk 24:25-27; Isa 53) B. The Old Testament Pointed To Christ s Resurrection (Psalm 16; Acts 2:25-31)
CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS 1 Corinthians 15:3 1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, Introduction: Lifeguard mantra: Reach, Throw, Row, Go A drowning person has too much adrenaline surging through them that they could over-power the experienced lifeguard that s why grabbing them is the last resort Ie/ Tony Evans tells of a linebacker who drowned in the lake He flapped his arms and wouldn t grab on to the person trying to rescue him Trying to save ourselves from our sins is like the drowning man flapping his arms gaining no buoyancy and wasting energy If the linebacker would have only reached out for help and let the lifeguard rescue him, he would be alive today. 1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, For I delivered to you o Paul is delivering, not determining o He is the postman, not the originator As of first importance o The Gospel is the most important issue for the Church What I received o This Creed dates back to at least 30 A.D. from a time right after the resurrection of Christ o Paul didn t originate, he, himself, received it I. Savior that Christ Christ = This is a simple reference to the deity of Christ This term is a reminder that Christ is not only God, but the promised O.T. Messiah Gr. Christos which translates the Heb. Messiah (the Anointed One) Matthew 16:13-16 Jesus asked His disciples Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am? So they said, Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. He said to them, But who do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Who do you want to save you? The President? Your pastor? Jack Bauer? Who do you want to tutor you in Windows Office? Bill Gates or me? How about having God Himself rescue you?
II. Sacrifice died A. Jesus Died A Physical Death For Us Genesis 2:16-17 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die. Romans 5:12-14 12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. We deserved to die for our sins, so Christ had to endure a physical death But there are two types of death: spiritual and physical Death involves separation : o Physical death separates soul from body we will all endure this o Spiritual death separates the soul from God we can be saved from this death B. Jesus Died A Spiritual Death For Us 1. The Spiritual Agony Of Bearing Sin Isaiah 53:6,12 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. 12b Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors. 2 Corinthians 5:21 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Imagine the agony that Christ must have faced, especially being perfectly righteous and then having to bear the putrid sin of man Ie/ We attended a local high school s musical that had a demonstratively sinful song it was traumatic for one of my innocent daughters Can you imagine how traumatic it must be for Christ, Whom is innocent and sinless, to have to bear Steve s sins plus the world s? Christ did not become a sinner. He remained holy. But the stench of the sin of the world came upon He who is Holy. Imputation: Our sin was credited onto Christ. He took upon our debt. Q: Did Christ become a sinner? No He remained holy, but was treated as one who bore the sins of the whole world
Hebrews 9:28 28 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. 1 Peter 2:24 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness by whose stripes you were healed. 2. The Spiritual Agony Of Abandonment Of The Father Matthew 27:46 46b Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is, My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? This occurred at the point Christ bore our sins The Holy Father had to turn from His Son Eternal fellowship has now been broken We think it s traumatic when a long married couple is separated by death think of Christ and His eternal relationship with the Father! 3. The Spiritual Agony Of Bearing God s Wrath Isaiah 53:10 10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. John Calvin: If Christ had died only a bodily death, it would have been ineffectual Unless his soul shared in the punishment, he would have been the Redeemer of bodies alone.he paid a greater and more excellent price in suffering in his soul the terrible torments of a condemned and forsaken man. (Institutes, II.xvi. 10,12) John Stott concludes 3 truths (p.83ff): 1. Our sin must be extremely horrible the cross reveals the gravity of our sin 2. God s love must be wonderful beyond comprehension God could have abandoned us to our fate but He did not Grace is love undeserving 3. Christ s salvation must be a free gift he purchased it with the high price of his blood III. Substitution for Substitutionary Atonement A. Old Testament Basis Isaiah 53:4-12 4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed 10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin,. 11 He shall
see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors. B. New Testament Basis 2 key Greek words: 1. In Place Of (anti) = replacement Matthew 2:22 Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of (anti) his father Herod Matthew 5:38 An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth Romans 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil. 2. On Behalf Of (huper) = benefit Matthew 5:44 Pray for (huper) those who spitefully use you and persecute you. Philemon 13 I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf (huper) he might minister to me Matthew 20:28 To give His life a ransom for (anti) many 2 Corinthians 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for (huper) us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 1 Timothy 2:6 Who gave Himself a ransom for (huper) all Hebrews 2:9 Jesus might taste death for (huper) everyone. 1 Peter 3:18 For Christ suffered once for sins, the just for (huper) the unjust. vicarious = substitutionary Man could potentially atone for his own sin if he eternally suffered for the penalty of his own sin, but this would be impossible Only a substitutionary sacrifice is possible through Jesus Christ C. Theological Definition Personal Atonement Vicarious Atonement Provided by the offending party Provided by the offended party A matter of strict justice A combination of justice and love Never finished A completed sacrifice (From Ryrie s Basic Theology, p. 286)
(The Theology Notebook Soteriology, p. 74) Ray Pritchard: His nails were meant for you, the crown of thorns should have been on your head, the spear should have pierced your side, and the jeers and insults were meant for you. It should have been you hanging on a tree but it wasn t. It was Jesus dying in your place. (In The Shadow Of The Cross, p. 124-125) D. L. Moody: You ask me what my hope is; it is, that Christ died for my sins, in my stead, in my place, and therefore I can enter into life eternal. You ask Paul what his hope was. Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. This is the hope in which died all the glorious martyrs of old, in which all who have entered heaven s gate have found their only comfort. Take that doctrine of substitution out of the Bible, and my hope is lost. With the law, without Christ, we are all undone. The law we have broken, and it can only hang over our head the sharp sword of justice. Even if we could keep it from this moment, there remains the unforgiven past. Without shedding of blood there is no remission. He only is safe for eternity who is sheltered behind the finished work of Christ. (cited in Bibliotheca Sacra, Volume 93:161) IV. Salvation our sins Gordon Fee: In saying Christ died for our sins, the creed presupposes alienation between God and humans because of human rebellion and sinfulness, for which the just penalty is death. Death for our sins means that one died on behalf of others to satisfy the penalty and to overcome the alientation. (The First Epistle to the Corinthians, NICNT, 1987, p. 724) We re all saved from something: o A lifeguard saves a person from drowning o My bike helmet saved me from a concussion last Sunday o Christ saves us from the judgment of our sins
A. Saved From God s Wrath And Judgment (Propitiation = Satisfaction) Propitiation depicts how Christ s death on the cross appeased or placated the wrath of God towards man because of judgment Propitiation = Gr. Hilasterion (Rom 3:25), Hilasmos (1 Jn 2:2; 4:10) o in the Greek world hilasterion meant placating the anger of an offended person or god (Demarest, p. 179) o Used in the LXX as the Hebrew equivalent of the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies o Once a year a high priest offered a sacrifice on Yom Kippor (Day of Atonement) o He sprinkled blood on a mercy seat to symbolize paying the penalty for his sins and the sins of the nation of Israel Propitiation from the Latin propitiare (to render favorably) Romans 3:25-26 25 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, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. 1 John 2:2 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. 1 John 4:10 10 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. Q: What is the difference between propitiation and expiation? o Expiation means to take away guilt ex out of, from Manward To remove guilt from us through an atonement The payment of a penalty removes the problem o Propitiation has to do with the object of this payment pro for Godward Propitiation changes God s attitude Both words are translated from the same Greek word But context determines whether it is payment for and satisfaction of Ryrie: Expiation has to do with reparation for a wrong; propitiation carries the added idea of appeasing an offended person. John Stott: To propitiate somebody means to appease or pacify his anger. (p. 169) Leon Morris: The turning away of wrath by an offering (EDT, p. 888) Charles Ryrie: Propitiation means placating or satisfying the wrath of God by the atoning sacrifice of Christ. (Basic Theology, p. 294)
1. The Payment For Sin Is Satisfied a. Christ Satisfied God s Penalty Not With Eternal Suffering, But Complete Payment John 19:30 30 It is finished! tetelestai is a commerce word meaning paid in full The price is fully remitted b. The Blood Requirement Of The Sacrifice Was Satisfied The Requirement Hebrews 9:22 22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. Leviticus 17:11 11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul. The Fulfillment 1 Peter 1:18-19 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. Hebrews 9:14 14 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? The blood demonstrated Christ s death The blood was also a reminder of the animal sacrifices that were mere pictures of Christ s ultimate sacrifice 2. The Wrath Of God Is Satisfied Q: When we use the term salvation, what are we saved from? ie/ lifeguard saves from drowning ie/ tupperware saves from perishing ie/ bank account saves from wasting a. The Father s Righteous Wrath Is Rescinded John 3:36 36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.
abide means to remain Wrath sticks on you, lives in you 1 Thessalonians 1:10 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. Rick Yohn: God s wrath is like a ticking time bomb which explodes at death and thrusts man out into eternity, separating him from God forever. (Living Securely in an Unstable World) Isaiah 53:11 11 He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. b. The Father s Grieving Heart Is Relieved God s heart is aching because His creation fell and His Son was separated c. The Father s Sovereign Plan Is Realized Romans 3:25 25 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, God decreed in eternity past that Christ would be the designated one to redeem man s sin d. The Father s Sin Penalty Is Redeemed Since the wages of sin is death Christ paid the price Habakkuk 1:13 13 You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, And cannot look on wickedness. Why do You look on those who deal treacherously, And hold Your tongue when the wicked devours A person more righteous than he? e. The Father s Righteous Reputation Is Restored Romans 3:26 - demonstrate His righteousness In the eyes of some, God s patience (forbearance) to our sin may have made God look soft on sin, but Christ s death on the cross as payment for the penalty proves that God is righteous and just Gr. Apolutrosis occurs 10x in NT B. Saved From The Responsibility Of Payment For Personal Sin (Imputation = Transfer) 1. Defined
Ryrie: To impute means to attribute or reckon or ascribe something to someone. (Basic Theology, p. 256) 2. Dispersed a. Adam s Sin Was Imputed To The Human Race In The Garden Romans 5:12-21 12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned 13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come 18 Therefore, as through one man s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man s obedience many will be made righteous. (Ryrie, Basic Theology, p. 259) b. Man s Sin Was Imputed To Christ At The Cross 2 Corinthians 5:19 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 1 Peter 2:24 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness by whose stripes you were healed.
(The Theology Notebook Soteriology, p. 69) c. Christ s Righteousness Was Imputed To The Believer At Salvation 2 Corinthians 5:21 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. C. Our Relationship With Our Creator Is Saved (Reconciliation) Katallasso (Gr.) means to change completely o was used in classical Greek in the sense of restoring the original understanding between people after hostility or displeasure. Theologically, reconciliation connotes that enmity between God and sinners is changed to a relationship of friendship and communion. (Demarest, p. 180) 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Romans 5:10-11 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. Reconciliation is not something that happens in heaven in the future where God meets you at the gate of heaven and says Are we OK now? It happens at the point of trusting Christ as our Savior. He not only removes our death sentence, He becomes our Heavenly Father o the unsaved can t call God their Father, though He is their Creator o they have not been adopted o they are in rebellion o but when you get saved God becomes your Father
John 1:12 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: Reconciliation removes that animosity and brings us into His family V. Scripture in accordance with the Scriptures, Scripture = meaning Scripture in general, not a particular text or book This is not contrived by the Apostle Paul or the disciples The Gospel is actually a fulfillment of the Old Testament Isaiah 53 This truth pre-dates Paul s writing A. The Old Testament Pointed To Christ s Suffering And Glory (Lk 24:25-27; Isa 53) Luke 24:25 27 O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory? And beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures Isaiah 53:4-12 4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed 10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin,. 11 He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors. B. The Old Testament Pointed To Christ s Resurrection (Psalm 16; Acts 2:25-31) Peter is quoting David (Psalm 16) in Acts 2 Acts 2:25 31 27 For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave. 31 looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay