Lesson 9 - God the Son: His Substitutionary Death

     The death of Jesus is an important doctrine in Scripture. At a point in time, God the Son came into the world and added humanity to himself, becoming fully God and man at the same time (John 1:1, 14). Scripture reveals Jesus was born under the Mosaic Law (Gal. 4:4), fulfilled the Law perfectly (Matt. 5:17-19), and committed no sin during His life on earth (2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 1 John 3:5). His sinless life qualified Him to die a substitutionary death in our place, “the just for [ὑπὲρ huper] the unjust, so that He might bring us to God” (1 Pet. 3:18; cf. Rom. 5:8; 1 Cor. 15:3-4). Jesus died to redeem us who are marked by sin and death (Mark 10:45), for “In Him we have redemption [ἀπολύτρωσις apolutrosis – the payment that frees a captive] through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace” (Eph. 1:7; cf. Col. 1:13-14; 1 Pet. 1:18-19). His death on the cross forever satisfied [ἱλαστήριον hilasterion – an acceptable sacrifice that satisfies] every righteous demand God had toward our sin (Rom. 3:24-25; Heb. 10:10-14; 1 John 2:2; 4:10), and is the basis for forgiveness [ἄφεσις aphesis – forgiveness, dismissal, release] and reconciliation [καταλλάσσω katallasso – to reconcile ] to God (Rom. 5:10; 2 Cor. 5:18-21; Col. 1:13-14; 20-22). The death of Christ was sufficient for everyone (Heb. 2:9; 1 John 2:2; 4:10), but is effectual only for those who believe (John 3:16, 20:31; Acts 4:12; Eph. 1:7).

     Salvation is a work of God alone. It is never accomplished by what we do for God, but rather, what God has accomplished for us through the Person and work of Jesus Christ who died for our sins (John 3:16), and who freely gives us eternal life and the gift of righteousness (John 10:28; Phil. 3:9).