The Character of Jesus Christ
FIRST PROPOSITION: The death of Jesus Christ is mentioned directly more than one hundred and seventy -five times in the New Testament. Besides this there are very many prophetic and typical references to the death of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament.
(2) Heb. 2: 14 — “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; thai through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.”
SECOND PROPOSITION: Jesus Christ became a partaker of
flesh and blood in order that He might die.
The incarnation was for the purpose of the death. Jesus Christ’s death was not a mere incident of His human life, it was the supreme purpose of it. He became man in order that He might die as man and for man.
(3) Matt. 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.”
THIRD PROPOSITION: Jesus Christ came into the world that He might die as a ransom.
(4) Luke g: 30, 31 — “And behold there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.”
FOURTH PROPOSITION. The death of Jesus Christ was the subject that Moses and Elias talked with Him about when they appeared in glory.
(5) i Pet. i :n — “Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.”
FIFTH PROPOSITION: The prophesied death of Christ was a subject of deep interest and earnest inquiry to the Old Testament prophets.
(6) i Pet i: 12 — “Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.”
SIXTH PROPOSITION: The death of Jesus Christ was a subject of deep interest and earnest inquiry to the angels.
(7) Rev. 5:8-12 — “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the beasts, and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb thatiuas slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.”
SEVENTH PROPOSITION: The death of Jesus Christ is the
central theme of heaven’s sony.
(8) i Cor. 15: i, 3, 4 — “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I Breached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died tor our sins according to the Scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”
EIGHTH PROPOSITION: The death of Jesus Christ is one of the two fundamental truths of the Gospel.
(Compare i Cor. n: 26 — “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.” i Cor. 2: g — “For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified”)
The importance of Jesus Christ’s death will come out further as we consider the purpose and results of His death. The modern preaching that lays the principal emphasis upon the llw and example of Jesus Christ is thoroughly un scriptural.
II. The purpose of Jesus Christ’s death, or Why did Jesus Christ die I
(1) Is. 53:5 — “But he was wounded (Hebrew ‘pierced’; sam& Hebrew word is so translated in R.V. of Is. 51: 9) for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
Is. 53: 8, n, 12: — “-He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied; by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”
i Pet. 3: 18 — “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.”
Rom. 4: 25 — “Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.”
i Cor. 15: 3 — “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.”
i Pet. 2: 24 — “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye are healed.”
FIRST PROPOSITION: Jesus Christ died because of the sins of others — i. e., (a) It icas sin that made His death necessary. (b) It was not His own sin, but that of others that He bore in His death. His death was vicarious — i. e., A just one who de served to live, dying in the place of unjust men who deserved to die.
(2) Matt. 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.”
SECOND PROPOSITION: Jesus Christ gave His life as a ran. som — i. e., His death was the price paid to redeem others from death.
(3) Is- 53 ‘• I0» R.V. — “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin (Heb. ’ a guilt- offering ‘), he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.”
THIRD PROPOSITION: Jesus Christ’ s soul was made a guilt-offering for sin — i. e., It was on the ground of His death thai pardon is granted to sinners. (See Lev. 6:6, 7, R.V.)
Compare Heb. 9: 22 — “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood: and without shedding of blood is no remission.” And Heb. g: 28 — “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Cf. Is. 53:12.)
(4) i Jno. 4: 10 — “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (The definition in Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament of the word translated “propitiation” is, a “means of appeasing.”)
Rom. 3: 25 — “Whom God set forth to be a propitiation, through faith, by his blood, to show his righteousness, because of the passing over of the sins done aforetime, in the forbearance of God.” (The word here translated “propitiation” means practically the same as that used above — “an expiatory sacrifice,”)
FOURTH PROPOSITION: Jesus Christ is the propitiation for our sins. God set Him forth to be a propitiation by His blood — i. e., He, through the shedding of His blood, or death, is that by which the wrath of God against us as sinners is appeased.
God is holy and must hate sin. His holiness and hatred of sin must manifest itself. His wrath at sin must strike some where, on the sinner himself or upon a lawful substitute. Is. 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.” (See R.V. Marg. The Hebrew literally translated, “made to strike upon.”) And Is. 53:8, R.V. Am. App. — “By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his gen. eration, who among them considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, for the transgression of my people to whom the stroke was due.” “The stroke due” to others fell upon Him and He was consequently “cutoff out of the land of the living.” The death of Christ has its first cause in the demands of God’s holiness.
(5) Gal. 3: 10, 13 — “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.”
FIFTH PROPOSITION: Jesus Christ died to redeem us from the curse of the law by bearing that curse Himself.
(6) i Cor. 5: 7 — ‘’For even Christ our passover is sacrificed :?or ns.” (Compare Ex. 12: 13, 23 — “And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye arc: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when lie secth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.”)
SIXTH PROPOSITION: Jesus Christ died as our passover sacrifice — i, e., that His shed blood might serve as a ground upon which God would pass over and spare us.
(7) Gal. 4: 4, 5 — “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”
SEVENTH PROPOSITION: Jesus Christ died to redeem them that were under the laio that ice might receive the adoption of sons — i. e., that the death of Christ miyht serve as a ground upon which men might be delivered from the claims of the law and be made sons.
(8) Gal. i: 4 — “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.”
EIGHTH PROPOSITION: Jesus Christ died to deliver us from this present evil world or age.
We were in bondage to this age by sin and the law. By the death of Jesus Christ we were delivered from this age to become citizens of heaven and sons of God. (Phil. 3: 20.) (Compare Gal. 4:3-5, 7, 8, 9:5,1.)
(9) i Pet. 3: 18 — “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.”
NINTH PROPOSITION: Jesus Christ died to bring us to God.
His death puts out of the way the impassable gulf that yawns between a holy God and sinful man.
(io) Jno. 12’. 24 — “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”
TENTH PROPOSITION: Jesus Christ died that He might bring forth much fruit. From His death sprang up the new race of Sons of God.
(n) Rom. 14:9, R.V. — “For to this end Christ died, and lived again, that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.”
ELEVENTH PROPOSITION: Jesus Christ died and lived again that He might be the Lord of both the dead and living.
III. For whom Christ died.
(1) Rom. 8: 32 — “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him vcpforusall, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”
Eph. 5: 2 — “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour.”
Tit. 2; 14 — “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
1 Cor. 5: 7 — “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.”
2 Cor. 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.”
FIRST PROPOSITION: Jesus Christ died ‘’for us” — i. e., for believers in Jesus Christ.
We shall see that Jesus Christ died for all men, but His death was especially for those who should appropriate to themselves by faith the blessings which that death secured. (1 Tim. 4: 10 — “For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.” This is the truth contained in the old doctrine of a limited atonement.
(2) Eph. 5: 25-7 — “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
SECOND PROPOSITION: Jesus Christ gave himself for tJit church.
While Christ died for all, He had His bride, whom He would redeem for Himself, especially in view, and His death avails especially for Her.
(3) Gal. 2:20 — “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
THIRD PROPOSITION: Jesus Christ gave Himsdf for individual believers; not merely for the church as a body, but for each individual in the body, so that each believer can say, ’ He loved me and gave himself for me.”
(4) Rom. 14: 15 — “But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, fof whom Christ died.”
i Cor. 8: n — “And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?”
FOURTH PROPOSITION: Jesus Christ died for the weak
brother.
Not only for the strong, enlightened, mature Christian, but for the weakest member of the household of faith as well. If we would bear this in mind would we not be more patient with and considerate toward the weak Christian who does not come on as rapidly as we wish? He is a weak brother, it is true, but he is “the weak brother for whom Christ died”
(5) Matt. 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.”
FIFTH PROPOSITION: Jesus Christ died for many. It was
no small company for whom Christ died.
(6) Rev. 5:9, R.V. — “Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation.”
SIXTH PROPOSITION: Jesus Christ died jor men of every
tribe, and tongue, and people •, and nation.
Here is the foundation warrant for world- wide missions, and here is the urgent call to press the work.” Let me go and find in the heart of Africa the men of that tribe for whom Christ died.”
(7) Jno. i: 29 — “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!”
SEVENTH PROPOSITION; Jesus Christ died for the whole
world.
On the ground of Christ’s death God can deal with the whole world in mercy. The death of Christ is sufficient for the whole world; it is fully efficient only for believers. We shall see that it is in part efficient for all mankind. ( 1 Jno. 2:2; 1 Cor. 15:22.) Jesus Christ was in an especial sense the head of the church ( Eph. 1: 22) and died as its head and for it. But He is also in another sense the head of the race — the second Adam — and died as the head of the race and for all men. ( 1 Cor. 15: 22, 45.)
(8) i Tim. 2: 6 — “Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”
EIGHTH PROPOSITION: Jesus Christ gave Himself a ransom for all.
He died for all. The ransom price is paid for all. Provision is made for all. Mercy can be preached to all. The sin accounts of all men are all settled. All men are potentially forgiven; all they need to do is to accept by faith and thus make their own the pardon purchased.
(9) Heb. 2:9 — “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”
NINTH PROPOSITION: Jesus Christ tasted death for every man.
He died for every man. Not only for all men as a race, but for each individual man in the race. On the ground of Christ’s death God can deal in mercy with each individual and offer him salvation on the ground of Christ’s death.
(10) i Pet. 3:18 — “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.”
TENTH PROPOSITION: Jesus Christ died for the unjust.
(u) Rom. 5:8 — “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
ELEVENTH PROPOSITION: Jesus Christ died for sinners.
(12) Rom. 5:6 — “For when we were yet without strength, indue cime Christ died for the ungodly.”
TWELFTH PROPOSITION: Jesus Christ died for the ungodly.
IV. The Results of Christ’s Death.
(1) IN RELATION TO MEN IN GENERAL.
(a) Jno. 12:32, 33: “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die.”
FIRST PROPOSITION: Through the death of Jesus Christ all men are drawn unto Him.
The death of Christ is the world’s great magnet drawing all men unto Him. There are many who will resist that drawing to their own ruin. (Jno. 5: 40.) But the crucified Christ draws all men.
(b) i Jno. 2: 2 — “And he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
SECOND PROPOSITION: By the death of Jesus Christ a
propitiation is provided for the world.
A basis is provided upon which God can deal in mercy with the world. All God’s dealings in mercy with any man are on the ground of Christ’s death. Only on the ground of Christ’s death could God deal in mercy with any man.
QUESTION: How, then, did God deal in mercy with those
before Christ’s time?
ANSWER: Rev. 13: 8 —” And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship Him, whose names are not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” The fleath of Christ was in God’s sight an eternal fact. He planned it from the beginning.
NOTE. — The propitiation of Christ bears a different relation to the believer from that which it bears to the world in general, i Jno. 2:2, R.V — “He is the propitiation for OUR SINS; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world” (but not “the sins of” the whole world). The propitiation avails for all, but it fully avails only for us. (Compare i Tim 4: 10 — “For therefore we both labor and surfer reproach, be cause we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.” Rom. 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.”)
(c) Jno. 1:29 — “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!”
THIRD PROPOSITION: Jesus Christ bij His death took away the sin of the world.
His death took the sin of the world out of the way so that a clear way to God and pardon and life was opened for all.
(d) Rom. 5:18, R.V — “So then as through one trespass the judgment came unto all men to condemnation; even so through one act of righteousness the free gift came unto all men to justification of life.”
i Cor. 15: 21, 22 — “For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”
FOURTH PROPOSITION: Through the death of Jesus Christ
all men obtain resurrection from the dead.
To what it shall be a resurrection, whether unto life or unto condemnation, shame and everlasting contempt (Jno. 5:28,29; Ban. 12:2), depends entirely upon what attitude the individual takes towards Christ.
(2) THE RESULTS OP CHRIST’S DEATH IN RELATION TO THE
BELIEVER.
(a) Is. 53: 10, R.V. — “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief; when thou shalt 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.”
FIRST PROPOSITION: Through Christ’s soul being made a guilt-offering for sin — i. e., through His death, He sees His seed, He begets a spiritual progeny.
The new race of sons of God springs from Christ’s death. (Compare Jno. 12:24.) (In this spiritual progeny that springs from His death Jesus sees of the travail of His soul and is satisfied. Is. 53: 11.)
(b) Heb. 9: 26 — “For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”
SECOND PROPOSITION: By the sacrifice of Himself Jesus
Christ has put away sin, or rather rendered sin void, or mdlified sin. (The context shows it is the sin of the believer that is in question.)
(c) Gal. 3: 13 — “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that haugeth on a tree.”
THIRD PROPOSITION: By the death of Jesus Christ the be* lieuer is redeemed from the curse of the law.
The penalty of the broken law has been paid by Jesus Christ, and the broken law has no longer any claim for satisfaction upon the believer.
(d) Col. 2: 14, R.V. — “Having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he hath taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross.”
FOURTH PROPOSITION: By His death upon the cross Jesus Christ has “blotted out,” and “taken out of the way” and “nailed to the cross,” “the bond written in ordinances that was against us,” (i. e., the law).
Not only has the curse which the law imposes upon the breaker of it been settled, but the law itself has been done away with by the death of Christ. (Compare 2 Cor. 3: 7, 11, R.V.)
Christ has settled all the claims of the law, fulfilled it, and done away with it.
(Compare Rom. 7: 1-4, 6, R.V.) “Or are ye ignorant, brethren (for I speak to men that know the law), how that the law hath dominion over a man for so long time as he liveth? For the woman that hath a husband is bound by law while he liveth; but if the husband die, she is discharged from the law of the husband. So then if, while the husband liveth, she be joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if the husband die, she is free from the law, so that she is no adulteress, though she be joined to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ; that ye should be joined to another, even to him who was raised from the dead, that ye might bring forth fruit unto God. But now we have been discharged from law, having died to that wherein we were holden; so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.”
(<?) Eph. 2: 14-16 — “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances;for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.”
FIFTH PROPOSITION: By the death of Jesus Christ the
separation between Jew and Gentile is done away.
It is the law that separates Jew and Gentile. This Jesus abolished in his flesh, and now in Christ Jesus there is neither Jew nor Greek, &c., but all are one man in Christ Jesus. (Gal. 3:28, R.V.) The blood of Christ is the cement of all nations making them one.
(/) Gal. 4:3-5 — “Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” (Compare Ch. 3: 13 — “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, beJrg made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.”)
SIXTH PROPOSITION: By the death of Christ Jewish believers are redeemed from subjection to the law to receive the adoption of sons.
(£•) Eph. 2: 11-13, T9 — “Whereiore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without. God in the world: But now, in Christ Jesus, ye who some time were afar off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.”
t$6 What the Bible Teaches
SEVENTH PROPOSITION: By the death of Christ Gentile bep lievers, who were afar off, aliens from the commonwealth oj Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world, are made nigh, fellow-citizens with the saints and of the household of God.
(/i] Rom. 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.”
EIGHTH PROPOSITION: By the death of God’s Son believers who were once sinners are reconciled to God.
That is, the enmity between God and the sinner is done away. It is already done away. Christ has made peace through the blood of the cross. He hath reconciled believers in the body of His flesh through death.
(Col. 1:20-22 — “And having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all tilings unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight.”)
(/) Eph. i: 7 — “In whom ive have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”)
NINTH PROPOSITION: Through the blood of Jesus Christ believers HAVE redemption, the forgiveness of their sins.
Forgiveness is not something which believers are to secure, it is something the blood has secured and which our faith has appropriated.
(/) i Jno. i: 7 — “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
TENTH PROPOSITION: The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth (is continually cleansingy those who walk in the ligltt, from all sin.
QUESTION: Does this mean cleanseth from the guilt that sin
brings upon the sinner, or does it mean cleanseth from the very
presence of sin itself?
Lev. 16: 30 — “For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the Lord,”
Lev. 17: ii — “For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.”
Lev. 14:19, 31 — “And the priest shall offer the sin offering, and make an atonement for him that is to be cleansed from his uncleanness; and afterward he shall kill the burnt offering: Even such as he is able to get, the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, with the meat offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for him that is to be cleansed before the Lord.”
Jer. 33:8 — “And I will cleanse them from all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me.”
Ps. 51: 7 — “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.”
Rev. i: 5 — “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first-begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.”
Rev. 7: 14 — “And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
Heb. 9: 22, 23 — “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood there is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.”
Eph. i: 7 — “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”
Rom. 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.”
Rom. 5: 9 — “Much more then, being TLQV justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”
Matt. 26: 28 — “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many/0r the remission of sins.”
ANSWER: From these passages it is evident, that in Bible usage, cleansing by blood is cleansing from guilt. Through the shed biood of Christ, all who walk in the light are cleansed continuously — every hour and minute — from all the guilt of sin. There is absolutely no sin upon them; there may still be sin in them. It is not the blood, but the living Christ, and the Holy Spirit, who deal with that.
(/£) Rom. 5: g — “Much more then, being now justified by hh blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”
ELEVENTH PROPOSITION: By (or iny the blood of Christ
believers are justified.
QUESTION: What is the difference between forgiveness and justification?
ANSWER: Forgiveness is negative — the putting away of sin: Justification is positive — the reckoning positively righteous. By reason of Christ’s death there is an interchange of positions between Christ and the believer. In death Christ takes our place of condemnation before God, and we take His place of acceptance before God. (2 Cor. 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.”)
(7) Rom. 8:33, 34 — “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”
TWELFTH PR 0 POSIT I ON: Because of Christ’ s death none can lay anything to the charge of, or condemn, the elect (or the be liever in Christy.
There is absolutely no condemnation to them who are in
Christ Jesus — the death of Christ has settled that forever.
Rom. 8: i, 3, R.V. — “There is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. For that the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and as an offering for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.”
(7/2) Acts 20: 28 — “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”
i Cor. 6: 20 — “Forye are boMghtwiih a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
Rev. 5:9, 10, R.V. — “And they sang a new song, saying, Worthy art, thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation, and madest them to be unto God a kingdom and priests; and they reign upon the earth.”
THIRTEENTH PROPOSITION: By the death of Jesus Christ the whole church, and each believer, were purchased unto God and are now Mis own property.
We belong to God. Neither the Devil, nor the world, nor ourselves have any claims upon us. God will take care of His own property.
(Compare i Pet. 2:9, R.V — “But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people forGod ‘sown possession, that ye may shew forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.”)
(n) Heb. 10: 10 — “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
FOURTEENTH PROPOSITION; Through the offering of the
body of Christ believers in Him are sanctified.
Every believer in Christ is sanctified. The sacrifice of Christ sets Him apart for God. The blood of Christ separates the be liever from the world. (Compare Ex. 11:7 with Ex. 12: 13.) We are to live out in our walk this separation between us and the world, which already exists by virtue of Christ’s death.
(0y Heb. 10:14 — “For by one offering he hath perfected for evet them that are sanctified.”
FIFTEENTH PROPOSITION: By one offering — i. e., the offering of His own life — Jesus Christ has perfected us forever. Believers have been made forever perfect by the death of Christ.
QUESTION: In what sense have believers been made forever perfect?
ANSWER: Verses 1, 2 — “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices, which they offered year by year continually, make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered, Because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins?” Perfect in their standing before God, not perfect in their state. By the death of Christ the believer is forever cleansed from guilt. He need have no more conscience of sins. The blood removes all sense of guilt. His sins are put away by the one all-sufficient sacrifice.
(/) Heb. 9: 14 —” How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscierce from dead works to serve the living God? ’
SIXTEENTH PROPOSITION: The blood of Christ cleanses the conscience of the believer from dead works to serve the living God.
Not only does the blood of Christ relieve the conscience of the believer from the burden of guilt, but also from the burden of his self-efforts to atone for sin and please God — “dead works.” Sin is seen entirely settled by the perfect sacrifice, and now the believer, with a conscience free from guilt, and also from the burden of his own imperfect works, enters into the service of the living God in the liberty and power of sonship.
(Compare Rom. 8: 15 — “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”)
There are many to-day who call themselves Christians who have not permitted the blood of Christ to cleanse their conscience from “dead works.” They are constantly under the burden of doing something to atone for sin and to commend them to God. We have nothing to do, it is all done, the blood of Christ has for ever commended us to God.
(2 Cor. 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.” Rom. 3: 21, 22 — “But now the righteousness of God without tJie law is manifest, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe; for there is no difference.”)
There are three classes of men. (1.) Those who are not burdened by sin, but love it. (2.) Those who are burdened by sin, and seek to get rid of the burden by self-efforts, by doing something to atone for it and commend them to God — “dead works.” No peace can be found along this line, nor real love to and service of God. (3.) Those who believe in Christ and His atoning blood, and see their sin settled forever by his death, and so have a conscience cleansed from both guilt and “dead works.” Their hearts are filled with love to God, and they serve the living God in the freedom of the love born of a faith in the cleansing and perfecting blood.
(q] Heb. 10:19, 20 — “Having, therelofe, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh.”
SEVENTEENTH PROPOSITION: By the blood of Christ — because of His death — the believer has boldness to enter into the holy place, into the very presence of God.
God is holy? Yes. And I am a sinner? Yes; but by the wondrous offering of Christ, “once for all,” I am perfected; and on the ground of that blood, so precious to God, I can march boldly into the very presence of God. Oh, wondrous blood!
(r) Rev. 22: 14, R.V. — “Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right to come to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.” (Compare 7: 14 — “And I say unto him, my Lord, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which come out of the great tribulation, and they washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
EIGHTEENTH PROPOSITION: Because of the cleansing power of the shed blood those who have washed their robes in it have the right to come to the tree of life and to enter in by the portals into the city.
(Compare Gen. 3: 22-24 — “And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever: Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man: and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.”
(s) i Thess. 5: io — “Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.”
NINETEENTH PROPOSITION: Because of the death of Christ believers shall live together with Him.
(/) Rev. 7: 14, 15 — “And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest, And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.”
T WE NT IE Til PR 0 POSIT ION: Because of the cleansing power of His blood those who wash their robes and make them white in it shall be before the throne of God.
Christ on the cross opens the way for others before the throne.
NOTE. — These seem to be the tribulation believers. (See R.V.) We shall be on the throne, not before it. Rev. 3: 21 — “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcome, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”
(?/) Hcb. 9: 15, R.V. — “And for 1 his cause he is the mediator of a new covenant, that a death having taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they that have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.”
TWENTY-FIRST PROPOSITION: Because of Christ’s death for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they that have been called receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
(v) Rom. 6: 3, 6, 8, R.V. — “Or are ye ignorant that all who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin; But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.”
Gal. 2: 20, R.V. — “I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live; and yet no longer I, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.”
Gal. 6: 14 — “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”
2 Cor. 5:14, R.V. — “For the love of Christ constraineth us; be cause we thus judge, that one died for all, therefore all died”
TWENTY-SECOND PROPOSITION: In the death of Christ we died; in His crucifixion ice were crucified; when He was nailed to the cross” the old man” was nailed to the cross. This is our real position because of His death.
Christian living consists in living this out in life. As I was crucified I should see self on the cross in the place of the curse ( as a cursed thing ) and no longer try to live, but let Christ live in me. As the old man was crucified I should reckon myself dead unto sin but alive unto God in Christ Jesus. (Rom. 6: 11, R.V.) How few of us see ourselves where the death of Christ put us. This is the great reason why the risen Christ cannot live the fulness of His resurrection life in us. We must be dead with Christ be* fore we can live with Him.
(w) i Pet. 2: 21 — “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow his steps.”
Matt. 16: 24 — “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.”
TWENTY-THIRD PROPOSITION: By the death of Christ an
example is left us that we should follow His ste%)s,
This was evidently not the main purpose of His death, as so many make it to-day, but an incidental result.
( See also i Pet. i: 18, 19 — “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”)
(x) Rom. 8: 32 — “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”
TWENTY-FOURTH PROPOSITION: In the death of His Son God has given to the believer a guarantee that He will freely give us all things.
(y) Heb. 2: 14, 15, R.V. — “Since then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same; that through death he might bring to naught him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and might deliver all them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”
TWENTY-FIFTH PROPOSITION: By His death Jesus Christ has delivered all them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
(This might come under the Purpose of Christ’s death.)
(3) THE RESULTS OF CHRIST’S DEATH IN RELATION TO THE
DEVIL AND THE POWERS OF DARKNESS.
(a) Jno. 12:31 — “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.” (See context vv. 27, 28, 32, 33.)
FIRST PROPOSITION: Through Christ’s death the casting out of the prince of this world is secured.
Since Christ’s death Satan is a usurper whose ultimate dethronement is secured.
(b) Heb. 2: 14, R.V. — “Since then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same; that through death he might bring to naught him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.”
SECOND PROPOSITION: Through the death of Christ, the
Devil is brought to naught or rendered ineffective.
The death of Christ was death to Satan’s power. He could no longer wield the power of death over those who appropriated to themselves the virtue of Christ’s death.
(c] Col. 2:14, 15 — “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”
THIRD PROPOSITION: In the death of Christ on the cross God triumphed over the principalities and the powers, and exposed them to open disgrace.
As to what these principalities and powers are, see Eph. 6: 12, R.Y. — “For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” It was in the cross of Christ that God fought the decisive battle, and won the decisive victory over the Devil. The moment of Satan’s seeming victory was the moment of his overwhelming defeat. He is now a conquered foe. In the cross God celebrated a triumph over him. The whole meaning of this conflict and this victory at the cross will be, I believe, a subject for contemplation and wonder at the manifold wisdom of God in the eternal world.
(4) THE RESULTS OF CHRIST’S DEATH IN RELATION TO THE
MATERIAL UNIVERSE.
Col. 1:19, 20 — “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 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.”
FIRST PROPOSITION: Through the death of Christ the whole Material Universe —” all tilings, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven” — is reconciled unto God.
The Material Universe has fallen away from God in connection with sin (Rom. 8: 20, R. V.; Gen. 3: 18). Not earth only, but heaven has been invaded and polluted by sin. (Eph. G: 12, R. V.; Heb. 9:23, 24.) Through the death of Christ this pollution is put away. Just as the blood of the Old Testament sacrifice was taken into the most holy place, the type of heaven, Christ has taken the blood of the better sacrifice into heaven itself and cleansed it. “All things * * * whether they be things in earth or things in heaven” are now reconciled to God. u The creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.” (Rom. 8:21.) “”We look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” (2 Pet. 3: 13.) The atonement of Christ has an immense sweep — far beyond the reach of our human philosophies. “We have just begun to understand what that blood that was spilled on Calvary means. Sin is a far more awful, ruinous and far-reaching evil than we have been wont to think, but the blood of Christ has a power and efficiency, the fulness of which only eternity will disclose.