Written by Dr. Steve Wittmann | Print

Essential Christian Doctrines - Lesson 2

by Dr. Ray Self


 


The Death of Christ



Click Play in the video player window and follow along on the class notes below.


Understanding the Death of Christ

    1. His death met the need for a sinful man


    1. His death met the requirement for a righteous God
      1. Because of the met requirements God can forgive and receive man back into fellowship.
      2. Nothing can challenge or change God’s perfect provision for Salvation.


    1. It is vicarious
      1. Vicarious come from the word "vicar" which means "a substitute, one who takes the place of another and acts in his stead"
      2. Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
      3. Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
      4. 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
      5. Christ did not bear His own sins - 1 Peter 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
      6. When he died He died for the sins of others "Vicarious"


    1. Is it fair for God to punish an innocent man?
      1. Jesus Himself took upon sin.
      2. It is not unlawful for the judge himself to pay the penalty he imposed.
      3. Jesus was not compelled, He was a volunteer - John 10:17-18 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
      4. We are not saved by the murder of an innocent man, but by one who willingly offered Himself for us


    1. It is an atonement
      1. It means "a covering"
      2. Romans 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
        1. This is the only verse in the new Testament that uses the word "atonement." In the Greek this verse actually says "reconciliation"
        2. In the Old Testament "atonement" was the covering of sins of an individual hiding them from God.
          1. Psalms 51:9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
          2. Leviticus 4:20 .. and the priest shall make an atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them.
          3. Leviticus 1:4 And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.
          4. Isaiah 38:17 .. for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.
      3. Christ is more than a "covering"
      4. In Christ sin is forgiven and sin is removed forever
      5. Hebrews 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins..
      6. Hebrews 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;


    1. It is a propitiation
      1. Romans 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
      2. 1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
      3. "Propitiation" means the turning away of wrath or "appeasement"
      4. John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
      5. Christ death removed God’s wrath.Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
      6. The sin of man has incurred the wrath of God. That wrath is only averted by the atoning offering of Christ


  1. It is reconciliation
    1. The position of enmity between God and man can become a relationship of peace and fellowship
    2. Romans 5:10 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.
    3. Col 1:20-21. And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.
    4. God and man once stood face to face, Adam sinned, God turned His back and Adam turned His back, Christ dies, God turned back toward man, it is up to man to turn his face back toward God.


Study Questions:

  1. Why it is important that Jesus’ life was not be taken but given?
  2. Explain the term “Vicarious” with scripture references.
  3. Why was the sacrifice of Jesus more that a covering?
  4. In context with scripture explain reconciliation and why it is necessary.