In the mortal state, man could do nothing to save himself. Jehovah did a covenant with Elohim that He will take the role of a Savior in man's nature, magnify and honor the law and commandments and redeem mankind from death. Philippians 2 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Old testament prophets foresaw and prophesied of this Redeemer who would come to offer Himself as a sacrifice after the manner of their law of sacrifice. Job 33 24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. 25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth: Job 19 25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Prophets before Christ's time seemed to understand very well that his sacrifice would be in two parts. They knew that with His body, or by the death of His body, the Lord would do one thing, but that the shedding of blood was a separate and distinct PART OF THE ATONEMENT.JUST AS ALL ISRAEL WAS REQUIRED TO PARTAKE OF THE BODY OF THE LAMB. Exodus 12:4 all mankind will benefit from His death. Likewise, the blood of the Lamb was to be for the salvation of the firstborn ONLY. Exodus 12:7,23 Hebrews 11:28 Hence, only those men who His atoning blood. Christ is would become of the Firstborn would receive the blessings of a Redeemer (from the Fall) and a Savior (for our transgression). 1 / 5
Confusion sometimes arises concerning what Christ did for everyone and what he did for the repentant. The scriptures are definite that only His death, His body, was given for all. Same clear is the fact that His blood was given conditionally for the repentant. The redemption of the body is an act of justice, mankind was not responsable for the fallen. Romans 5 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. This phrase "justification of life" does not mean that eternal life is a free in the verse 21 Paul makes this point very clear. gift to all men in fact Romans 5 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. "grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life" righteousness is the key to make grace to work for eternal life. 1 Corinthians 15 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. "But every man in his own order:" 2 / 5
There is order in the Gospel. John 5 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. From the book "The Sacrament of the Lord' Supper" by Alan P. Johnson Christ was very definite in His teaching concerning the twofold nature of the clearness and certainty he pointed out that both were necessary to eternal Atonement. With life. John 6 53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. Clearly this is symbolic, however, when the scriptures speak of the blood of a sacrifical victim being shed, this is a very literal shedding of blood. The function of blood shedding. Under the ancient law of sacrifice the body of the offering was an important part of the ordinance. It was purified by burning. HOWEVER, THE BODY WAS NEVER TAKEN INTO THE HOLY OF HOLIES. ONLY THE BLOOD WAS SIGNIFICANT THERE. This same symbolism typifies the atonement of Christ. Even though the bodies of all men will be purified, only those who receive the blessings of the atoning blood may enter into the ultimate Holy of Holies, i.e. the presence of the father in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom. It will be remembered that Christ's blood was shed on two different occasions, once in garden of Gethsemane and once upon the cross. It was in the garden that Christ the 3 / 5
accomplished the conditional phase of atonement. Here He took upon Himself the sins of mankind and suffered the agony and anguish required to pay the penalty of the law of justice. So great was His suffering that blood oozed from every pore of His body. Sin and divine nature, like Jesus had are not compatible. Men must earn by faith, repentance and obedience the benefit of this suffering. Later, on the cross Christ's blood was shed a second time. The blood shed on this occasion affects all mankind unconditionally in two ways. First, with His spilt blood, Christ sealed His testimony and His mission as a witness against the inhabitants of the world. The second reason that His blood was shed on the cross was that it was necessary part of the redemption from the fall Joseph Fielding Smith explained "The reason that the blood of Christ had to be shed is because Adam was without blood before the Fall. The blood came into his body afterwards. Therefore, it was necessary that the blood which came by the fall should be shed in the atonement." The literal shedding of Christ's blood accomplished five things, all of which are, of interrelated. necessity, First, the spilt blood served as a witness of Christ's intercession with the Father on man. behalf of Second, the blood paid the debt incurred by the transgressions of individual persons. Third, Christ brought man under a new law of individual responsibility. Fourth, the blood of Christ rendered the second death powerless over the righteous. Fifth, this blood provided the means whereby man might be made perfect. During the first Passover, the blood of the paschal lamb saved only those who had a special birthright. In the same likeness, the blood of the paschal lamb brings salvation only to those who, at the final judgment, have been royally born. This royal birth is, however, not a physical birth, but a spiritual one. It begins with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and is culminated with the granting of mercy and eternal forgiveness. 4 / 5
Paul was well aware that salvation is "grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life" Philippians 2 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 3 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 5 / 5