The Results of Christ’s Death on the Cross
Dr. Jay A. Quine
Why did Jesus Christ have to die?
- The penalty for sin is DEATH . Genesis 2:16-17; Romans 6:23.
There are four kinds:
Spiritual Death Physical Death
Eternal Death Temporal Death
The common thread is separation. In PHYSICAL DEATH we are separated from our bodies. In SPIRITUAL DEATH we are separated from God spiritually. In TEMORAL DEATH we experience that separation in time, and in ETERNAL DEATH we are separated from God forever. DEATH = SEPARATION. Jesus was separated from God (DEATH) for all four kinds of death for us.
- The only way for us to pay for sin is to die—and then it’s too late! We are separated from God ETERNALLY!
- Yet someone can pay the penalty due from another. Genesis 22; Romans 5:8
- Jesus was the Someone who paid our penalty – one by one. (Hebrews 2:9)
- Jesus is an infinite One who paid for a seeming “infinite” sins of others.
This is why Jesus is called the “Savior.” He has saved us from the penalty of DEATH, and offers to us resurrection LIFE.
“Soteriology” is the theological term used to described what Jesus, the Savior did when he DIED. To summarize:
Propitiation – to satisfy.
Christ satisfied the perfect standard of God. The requirement of the Law for the punishment for sin was satisfied through His death on the cross. 1 John 2:2, 4:10
Imputation—to transfer or credit something of one to another.
To Jesus Christ was undeservedly imputed our unrighteousness / sin for which he died (for the penalty of sin is death). To those who believe is imputed or credited undeservedly the perfect righteousness of Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:21
Justification—to declare righteous or not guilty.
On the basis of imputation of Christ’s righteousness, we are declared (not made) righteous. Galatians 2:16,17
Expiation—to pay the price or the penalty.
Christ sacrificed Himself as the payment expiating the penalty rightly due sinners. 1 Corinthians 5:7
Substitution—one for another.
Christ paid the expiatory sacrifice in each and every sinner’s place, as their substitute. Romans 5:8
Redemption—to buy-back something sold.
Christ’s expiatory sacrifice repurchased us from being sold into slavery of sin. We are now slaves of Christ. Ephesians 1:7
Reconciliation—to bring peace between two adversarial parties.
As a result of Christ’s complete and completed work on the cross our broken relationship with God can be restored. Romans 5:1, 6-11
Regeneration—to be born once more.
The moment a person understands and believes that Christ is his personal Savior from the penalty of their personal sin, he is reborn into the family of God and given new, eternal life. Titus 3:5
Sanctification—to cleanse; to be separate from sin and death.
As a result of Christ’s death on the cross we are positionally cleansed before God (1Cor 6:11), progressively cleansed by the Holy Spirit by applying the word of God to life (John 17:17),and will be perfectly cleansed in glory when our progress will match our position (Philippians 3:21, 1 Thessalonians 5:23).
