Part 25
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become
the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name"
The Author: 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 tells us that only God can increase the population of the church. He is the one that adds to the body of Christ. We can plant and water, but He will give the increase. (See John 1:10-13 also)
The Agent: We are born of the Holy Spirit. He is the activation behind all of salvation. God provided salvation, through Christ, but the Spirit brings the person to salvation.
The Instrument: Only when a person is able to hear or read the Word of God, can they know salvation. Salvation cannot creep up on you and win the attack. It is only through the Word that we can know of salvation. (1 Peter 1:23-25; James 1:18,21; John 17:17)
Regeneration Has Expectations: God didn't reach out and touch someone, just so they would feel good. Remember that verse we covered earlier? We are created in Christ unto good works. The natural result of regeneration should be good works. The good works are a result of a proper relationship to God. Not having sin in your life is the method of keeping that relationship proper. 1 John 3:9
"Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."
(see also 1 John 2:29; 5:4,18.)
Regeneration Is Eternal: We cannot loose anything based on regeneration. All is guaranteed. We are dealing with God and not some sleezy salesman. What He has said, He will do. We will live forever because of this work of regeneration, which He has done. 1 Peter 1:23
"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by
the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever."
Regeneration Is Not Reformation: It is more than turning over a new leaf. You could, from some point onward, without sin and yet know nothing of regeneration. There are many lost people in this world that live good lives, yet are still lost.
Regeneration Is Not Confirmation: Only God can bring about regeneration. Nothing that man can devise will do the trick. Man has been trying to come up with some method for centuries, but always fails in his attempts.
Regeneration Is Not Water Baptism: Baptism is a memorial and ordinance for the one that has already undergone regeneration. However, be forewarned, some believe this. Some believe that baptism is how a person is regenerated.
"Regeneration by baptism, or baptismal regeneration, has been a widely prevalent error. This is due in part to an improper use of the term. A proselyte from heathenism to the Jewish religion was said to be 'born again.' A corresponding use of the term crept into the early Christian Church. Those who received baptism, the initiatory rite of church membership, were said to be regenerated; but this was probably without any intention of denying the deeper work of the Holy Spirit. It was only a loose and improper way of indicating the change in a man's external relationship. And it is proper to say that some of the advocates of the baptismal regeneration in the Church of England still use the term in this sense, and make a distinction between regeneration as effected by baptism and the great work of spiritual renewal. But the error has its broader basis in an unscriptural idea of the character and efficiency of the sacraments. And thus it is held not only by Roman Catholics, but also by many Lutherans and many in the church of England." (Taken from: "Unger's Bible Dictionary"; Unger, Merrill F.; Copyright 1957, Moody Bible Institute of Chicago; Moody Press. Used by permission. p 916)
Let's consider baptismal regeneration for a moment. Titus 3:4-7,
"But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."
What in this verse equates "regeneration" with "born again?" Nothing.
Matthew 19:28 seems to be the transformation of the earth in preparation for the kingdom. What in that verse equates "regeneration" with "born again?" Nothing.
Titus 3:5 speaks of washing (Cleansing) yet new birth has to do with getting rid of old and installation of new. The two facts don't compute. This washing is not to be construed to be baptism, for it is not.
If "regeneration" truly is "rebirth" or "born again," how do we get from baptism to regeneration? Washing is the Greek word "loutron" which has the idea of a bath or a laver. It is used in the Septuagint in Song of Solomon
4:2 and 6:6. This passage speaks of the washing of sheep. (Ephesians 5:26 and Titus 3:5 are the only New Testament usages.) Washing gives the impression of "dirty in" and "clean out." Otherwise, why wash something. This would seem to be the root of the meaning of the word.
The washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit seem to be two different things. Most commentaries seem to follow similar thinking. It seems that the washing of regeneration might be the cleaning out of our past sins, while the renewing of the Holy Spirit is the removal of the Adamic nature. They are both an integrated part of the whole — salvation.
Rebirth seems to be that shift from lostness to savedness; that shift from dead to alive. It is an integrated part of salvation. Without it there is no real salvation, yet it is linked to the renewing of the Holy Spirit as well. Regeneration may refer to salvation as long as you view the work of the Holy Spirit as well.
Regeneration Is Not Church Membership Nor The Lord's Table: Church membership and the Lord's table are never linked to regeneration itself, though a church member should be regenerated. Someone partaking of the Lord's table should also be regenerated, however becoming a member, or partaking of the table can never bring regeneration.
Regeneration Is Not Justification: "It is to be distinguished from justification, because justification is a change in our relationship to God, while regeneration is a change in our moral and spiritual nature." (Taken from: "Unger's Bible Dictionary"; Unger, Merrill F.; Copyright 1957, Moody Bible Institute of Chicago; Moody Press. Used by permission. p 916)
Regeneration Is Not Sanctification: "Regeneration is also to be distinguished from sanctification, inasmuch as the latter is the work of God in developing the new life and bringing it to perfection, while the former is the beginning of that life." [not sure I agree with his definition of sanctification but do agree that they are different.] (Taken from: "Unger's Bible Dictionary"; Unger, Merrill F.; Copyright 1957, Moody Bible Institute of Chicago; Moody Press. Used by permission. p 916)
Regeneration Is Required: John 3:7 simply states the facts. "Ye must be born again."
Cambron lists three areas which show the need of regeneration. The depravity of man (John 3:6); The universality of man (Romans 3:23); and the holiness of God (1 Peter 1:16)
Regeneration Is A Divine Gift: John 1:12, 13
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the children of God, even to them that believe on his name; Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
Regeneration comes as an integrated part of the salvation experience. We cannot continue toward eternity without it, nor can we step backward into our past life without it. Once regenerated, there is no return to the lost life of Adam. We may step into a walk that resembles our old walk, but we can never become unregenerated again.
THE WALL OF SALVATION
"Now I saw in my dream, that the highway, up which Christian was to go, was fenced on either side with a wall, and that wall was called salvation. Up this way, therefore did burdened Christian run, but not without great difficulty, because of the load on his back. He ran thus till he came at a place somewhat ascending; and upon that place stood a cross, and a little below, in the bottom, a sepulcher. So I saw in my dream, that just as Christian came up with the cross, his burden loosed from off his shoulders, and fell from off his back, and began to tumble, and so continued to do till it came to the mouth of the sepulcher, where it fell in, and I saw it no more." John Bunyan (Stuber, Stanley I. and Clark, Thomas Curtis; "Treasury Of The Christian Faith"; New York: Association Press, 1949, p 613)
PROPITIATION
We need to define the term propitiation which we have all heard so many times before. Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary states that propitiate means ".....to gain or regain the favor or goodwill of." (By permission. From Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary copyright 1991 by Merriam-Webster Inc., publisher of the Merriam-Webster (registered) Dictionaries.)
Pardington states, "literally signifying an appeasing, a placation, an expiation. Propitiation comes from the Latin and means that which renders one propitious or favorably disposed towards another." (Pardington, Revelation George P. Ph.D.; "Outline Studies In Christian Doctrine"; Harrisburg, PA: Christian Publications, 1926, p 254)
Kaufman states, "Theological term for the appeasement of the wrath of God through sacrifice, prayer, or in some other way. According to the New Testament, guilt is removed and broken relationships with god restored only by the sacrifice of christ, received in faith and obedience. God has set forth Christ "to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past" (Romans 4:25)." (Kauffman, Donald T.; "The Dictionary Of Religious Terms"; Westwood, New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell Co., 1967)
From this we can conclude that Christ propitiated God on our behalf. In other words he regained God's favor for mankind. We were, so to speak, on His bad side, and Christ got us onto His good side. That is very simplistic, yet true.
In Adam, all of mankind fell into sin, into damnation, and into eternal death, yet Christ corrected all those problems, through His work on the cross. We can, if saved, stand before God as Adam stood before the fall. Christ made ALL things right between man and God.
There are three Greek words translated propitiation in the New Testament (All usages are listed).
1. "hilasmos" This term is seen in two passages where it depicts what Christ did for mankind. 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." 1 John 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."
Two things we need to notice. First of all, the propitiation was for our sins, and the work was done by Christ. Secondly, it was propitiation for the ". . .sins of the whole world." Just how the limited atonement people get around that clear statement of Scripture would be an interesting study in foot work.
2. "hilasterion" Unger mentions this passage and term as relating to the place of propitiation, however the context would indicate more specifically the person of propitiation, Jesus Christ. Romans 3:24-25,
"Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 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;"
Does this mean that propitiation is based on repentance as well as forgiveness? The two certainly seem to be tied to faith. It would seem in light of all we know that propitiation was for all people both lost and saved, yet there seems to be a need of faith for one to receive the benefit of this propitiation.
The term is used of an interesting place in Hebrews 9:5,
"And over it the cherubim of glory shadowing the mercy seat [this
is the term]; of which we cannot now speak particularly."
The dwelling place of God in the Wilderness was named propitiation. The spot where the blood of animals was sprinkled (Leviticus 16:15), is used to signify what the New Testament calls propitiation.
Hebrews tells us that Christ offered His own blood in the heavenly tabernacle as an everlasting propitiation for sin. It is faith in that blood that saves man.
3. "hilaskomai" is our third term. It refers to the act of God toward man Which is propitious. Luke 18:13
"And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner."
("merciful" is the term in view. The translation should be propitiation.)
Hebrews 2:17
"Wherefore, in all things it behooved him to be made like his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people."
("reconciliation" is the term that we are looking for.) The term reconciliation should appear as propitiation. The interlinear translates it this way.
Vine mentions of this term, ". . .was used amongst the Greeks with the significance to make the gods propitious, to appease, propitiate, inasmuch as their good will was not conceived as their natural attitude, but something to be earned first." He also mentions that the term is never used in a way that would suggest that man is able to propitiate our God. (Vine, W. E.; "An Expository Dictionary Of New Testament Words"; Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Co., p 895) This Seems To Be A Good Thought.
Cambron relates the word to the term "satisfaction." "The law demanded death for sin; therefore, the blood of the sacrifice was placed on the mercy seat (Exodus 25:22; Leviticus 16:13,14), showing that death had taken place. God looked upon the mercy seat and saw blood — life — and was satisfied. Since calvary, God looks upon our Mercy Seat, which is Christ, and is satisfied. Therefore, the underlying thought of propitiation is "satisfaction." (Cambron, Mark G. D.D.; "Bible Doctrines"; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1954, p 97)
I question his comment, that Christ is the mercy seat. His shed blood is on the heavenly mercy seat in my estimation, rather than Christ being the mercy seat Himself.
Propitiation is for all mankind, both lost and saved. 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."
Propitiation is not automatic for the lost person. It seems to be linked to the faith of one coming to the Lord. 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;"
The provision is made yet this verse seems to indicate the application or benefit is based on faith.
Propitiation is not something that we need to ask God for, nor is it something that we have to request Him to be. Unger states, "In this present age since the death of Christ God does not have to be asked to be propitious, because He has become so, through the death of Christ." (Taken from: "Unger's Bible Dictionary"; Unger, Merrill F.; Copyright 1957, Moody Bible Institute of Chicago; Moody Press. Used by permission.)
Propitiation is the "Greek equivalent of the Hebrew "kapporeth," or mercy seat, the lid of the ark of the covenant." (Pardington p 255) The meaning of that close link should drive some young theologians into a detailed study.
Propitiation must be God's idea if it came through the cross, for man could not have devised that plan. Man's plans are evident the world over, and none even come close to the cross, nor God dieing on it.
Propitiation is not salvation. "It rather secures the possibility of salvation." (Chafer, Lewis Sperry; "Systematic Theology"; Dallas, TX: Dallas Seminary Press, 1947, Vol. 5) It places man in a proper attitude or position before God, whereby the possibility of salvation exists.
There probably is a need for further study as to the specifics of this doctrine. Since faith is involved, I assume that propitiation is a precursor to salvation — something which Christ did make available to me. Since propitiation is for the whole world, I assume that it is available to all, but must be received by faith. Though it is not salvation, nor an integrated part of the salvation process, it is necessary for the salvation process to begin.
Propitiation is NOT Jesus Christ Himself as Chafer mentions in Vol. VII p 259. "...His body at Golgotha, becomes the Mercy Seat in reality." If this were really true then why did He bother to offer His blood upon the heavenly mercy seat as is indicated in Hebrews 9: 22,23? True it is not stated yet the Old Testament priest did this and the context is contrasting the old and the new. Vs 23."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."
Propitiation is not reconciliation. Propitiation would be a step toward that reconciliation between God and man. Propitiation makes it possible for the reconciliation to occur.
Propitiation does not bring forgiveness as some set forth. Thiessen states when he quotes from Hodge, "By the suffering of the sinner's atoning substitute, the divine wrath at sin is propitiated, and as a consequence of this propitiation the punishment due to sin is released, or not inflicted upon the transgressor. This release or noninfliction of penalty is "forgiveness," in the Biblical representation." (Thiessen quoting Hodge: Thiessen, Henry C.; "Lectures In Systematic Theology"; Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1949, p 326) Propitiation opens the door of possibility to forgiveness, though the two are not one. Propitiation is something that is provided by an act of Christ, and recognized by the Father, while forgiveness is something that is given by God and enjoyed by the believer.
1. Here we have another fact that drives home the truth that there is nothing that man can do for his own salvation, except believe and accept that which God has provided for us, even before we needed it. Does not Romans 5:8 relate to this thought? "But God commendeth his love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Christ provided the act that made propitiation, The Father is satisfied, and the Spirit draws the lost person to realization of all of these truths relevant to salvation.
HE did it all, not my plan, or your plan or someone else's plan.
REDEMPTION
As in previous studies we want to define the term. Redemption according to Shedd is as follows: "God's mercy ransoms man from God's justice." (Shedd Vol. II, p 398) I think that I like this definition, but I would add just a little more to it. I like it because it centers itself around God rather than man. Man had the need, yet all of redemption is actually of God.
God planned the program, God provided the program, God will consummate the program, and God will apply the program.
Might we amend Shedd's definition slightly by mentioning the provider of the ransom? God's mercy, through Jesus Christ, ransoms man from God's justice.
Chafer's definition is good, but contains a need for logic, rather than literary licence. "The death of Christ is said to be a redemption or ransom paid to the holy demands of God for the sinner and to free the sinner from just condemnation." (Reprinted by permission: Chafer, Lewis Sperry/Revised by Walvoord, John F.; "Major Bible Themes"; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1974, p 61)
This definition seems to be true, except that ransom cannot be paid to demands. A demand cannot receive payment. Only a being with intelligence accepts things. The thought that Christ paid a ransom to satisfy God is correct.
It is of interest that both these men use the term ransom. I am not sure that the English word ransom, is the real meaning of the term in the Bible, nor is it the real meaning of the doctrine of redemption. The term purchase is more to the point of redemption. It is the payment of a price for something. Ransom has the idea that someone has been kidnaped. We have not been kidnaped, we are in sin, and sin always carries a price. Christ paid that price for all who will receive His payment.
So, to put it simply, redemption is the purchase of a soul by the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross of calvary.
Let us look at the terms used in Scripture.
OLD TESTAMENT TERMS
The first word we want to look at is the Hebrew word "g'l," which means according to Ryrie, a "family obligation related to payment of a price." (Reprinted by permission: Ryrie, Charles C.; "Basic Theology"; Wheaton: Victor Books, 1986,)
Ryrie says of the term "pdh" a ". . .payment of a price as in a commercial transaction without any obligation arising from kinship. . . ." (Reprinted by permission: Ryrie, Charles C.; "Basic Theology"; Wheaton: Victor Books, 1986)
A third Hebrew word is used which is "kopher," which means a "sum paid to redeem a forfeited life..." (Reprinted by permission: Ryrie, Charles C.; "Basic Theology"; Wheaton: Victor Books, 1986)
"All these words consistently signify deliverance by payment of a price. The circumstances may vary from redeeming a prisoner of war, or a slave, or a pawned article, or the nation Israel, but always because of the payment of a price." (Reprinted by permission: Ryrie, Charles C.; "Basic Theology"; Wheaton: Victor Books, 1986, p 290)
NEW TESTAMENT TERMS
"agorazo" is a term that originally related to going to the forum, but later, became a word that indicated buying or purchasing in the forum. The same term is used by the Septuagint translators of commercial purchases. Some references that might be good sermon material for the topic are: 2 Peter 2:1; Revelation 5:9-10; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Corinthians 7:22-23. These verses should give a definite definition to the term slave in relation to the believer.
There are other terms used that are related to "agorazo." I will just list these with comments from other authors. ("exagorazo"/"compound simply adds the idea of purchasing out of the forum." (Reprinted by permission: Ryrie, Charles C.; "Basic Theology"; Wheaton: Victor Books, 1986); "a strengthened form of "agorazo", to buy... denotes to buy our...especially of purchasing a slave with a view to his freedom." Vine, W. E.; "An Expository Dictionary Of New Testament Words"; Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Co.)
We see in Acts 20:28 the purchase of believers via the blood of Christ. It also pictures the importance of caring for those believers. Christ paid a terrible price to purchase them, and now He has placed them in the hands of His shepherds. Any pastor reading this passage ought to gain just a hint of his responsibility before God. "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."
There is another aspect to this passage. The indications are that the purchase of Christ was not only for the buying of souls, but it is also related to the church, or His Body.
Ryrie correctly and concisely, summarizes the doctrine around three points.
"(1) People are redeemed FROM something; namely, from the marketplace or slavery of sin.
(2) People are redeemed BY something; namely by the payment of a price, the blood of Christ.
(3) People are redeemed TO something; namely, to a state of freedom; and then they are called to renounce that freedom for slavery to the Lord who redeemed them." (Reprinted by permission: Ryrie, Charles C.; "Basic Theology"; Wheaton: Victor Books, 1986, p 292)
Unger in his Bible Dictionary mentions that the freedom of redemption implies a former bondage. He goes on to relate this bondage to our position in sin, our servitude to Satan, and our bondage to spiritual death. It seems that we were not in too good a position until Christ came along.
Indeed, Unger's observations should bring us to a real sense of what Christ did when He died on the cross. He didn't just save us, He saved us from sins dominion, from Satan's dominion, and death's dominion. In response to this we live our lives as if we were still under sin's dominion, Satan's dominion, and death's dominion. We ought to live our lives as if we knew from which we came.
Some indicate that the ransom or payment was to free us from Satan's ownership. This is not true. We were under his control and bondage, yet
he did not have ownership. The sinner ends up in the same place as Satan in the end, but not because Satan has any claims on the lost. Both are committed to the Lake of Fire by the justice of God for their disobedience.
Redemption is both universal and limited. It was provided for all of mankind, yet man must accept the work of Christ for it to be of value, or benefit to the individual.
Redemption involves the soul and spirit. Psalm 49:15 "But God will redeem my soul from the power of sheol; for he shall receive me." (note the soul only is mentioned however the soul and spirit always go together.) All of spiritual man is provided for, both soul and spirit.
Redemption also involves the body. Romans 8:23 "...waiting for the adoption, that is, the redemption of our body." The body will see its final redemption when it is glorified and united with our soul and spirit (unless we are fortunate enough to be taken in the rapture, in which case body, soul, and spirit will be finally and completely redeemed at one moment).
Redemption Is Deliverance From The Curse Of The Law: Galatians 3:13 "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law" We are freed by the work of the cross, yet the proper response to that freedom is not to live in sin.
Redemption Is Deliverance From The Bondage Of The Law: Galatians 4:5,
"To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."
We not required to keep the law for salvation, but we are expected to keep the principles of the law as rule and practice for our lives.
Redemption Is Deliverance From Iniquity: Titus 2:14 "Who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity" Now, notice that verse. It relates to what we have said about our nature and our sin life. He redeemed "us from ALL iniquity" which, if we hold to plain literal interpretation says we do not have to sin, we do not struggle to keep from sin, we only need to submit to the Spirit rather than self.
Redemption Is Deliverance From Enemies: Psalm 136:24 "hath redeemed us from our enemies." We may have enemies, we may struggle
with enemies, but we will not fall to enemies. God will care for all our enemies, big and small.
Redemption Is Deliverance From Destruction: Psalm 103:4 "whom redeemeth thy life from destruction" Isn't that what salvation is all about? We were on our way to physical destruction as well as spiritual destruction. Christ intervened and corrected all that.
Redemption Is Deliverance From Death: Hosea 13:14,
"I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes."
It is not that we will not go through the death process, but we will not suffer from the effects of the grave, or of death. This is also seen in the following point.
Redemption Is Deliverance From The Power Of The Grave: Psalm :49:15,
"But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave for he shall receive me. Selah."
The promise of bypassing the power of the grave is linked to another promise, "he shall receive me." The account of the beggar in Luke 16:22 comes to mind, where it mentions that the angels came to carry him away. The thought of going through death will be relieved if we realize the truth presented in these two texts.
Redemption Is Deliverance From Vain Living: 1 Peter 1:18,
"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;"
Redemption Is Deliverance From This Present World: Galatians 1:4 "who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil age" Another glorious promise. We will not have to continue in this life and in this world forever; there is a life and world yet future that is far better.
Redemption Is Deliverance From The Power Of Sin: Romans 6:18-22,
"Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things [is] death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life."
Again, I would draw your attention to the thought of why we sin. Is it because we loose the struggle with the old nature, or is it because we mentally take control of our lives to serve self? This passage seems to indicate the later. Notice the terminology, free from sin, servants of righteousness, yield to righteousness, servants to God.
Redemption Is Accomplished By: God's power: Deuteronomy 7:8; Isaiah 44:21; Isaiah 43:1; Luke 1:68. Christ's blood: Acts 20:28; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:12. God's grace: Romans 3:24,25. Do you get the feeling that redemption is centered in God. I think that this is truly a valid observation.
There are many benefits that come with redemption. We will mention a few of these benefits. Since these verses are so self explanatory, I will just list the benefit and the verse.
BENEFITS OF REDEMPTION
We Gain Forgiveness: Colossians 1:14,
"In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins"
We Gain Justification: Romans 3:24,
"Being justified freely by his grace through
the redemption that is in Christ Jesus"
We Gain Adoption: Galatians 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."
(Note the fulness of time. The time was set before the foundation of the world.)
We Become God's Possession: 1 Corinthians 6:20,
"For ye are bought with a price therefore glorify God
in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
(Our body and spirit are His — ours for the using only.)
We Become God's People: Titus 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."
We Gain Purification: (Above)
We Gain Sealing: Ephesians 4:30,
"And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."
We Gain An Inheritance: Hebrews 9:15,
"And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance."
The book of Ruth is a very good illustration of the idea of redemption. It is quite fitting for it concerns one of the couples in the line of Messiah.
We have already seen that "salvation" isn't as simple as it seems. Salvation is simple in its reception, but very complicated in its application. Many things are involved in God saving an individual.
Each of these items are very precious to study in and of themselves. Don't allow yourself to stop with this surface study. Take time to do further
study and give much thought to these things. God can use it in your spiritual life.
RECONCILIATION
Definition: Thayer as quoted in Pardington states, "The word is used in the New Testament...of the restoration of the favor of God to sinners that repent and put their trust into the expiatory death of Christ" (Pardington, Revelation George P. Ph.D.; "Outline Studies In Christian Doctrine"; Harrisburg, PA: Christian Publications, 1926, p 254)
"Reconciliation is the restoration to friendship and fellowship after estrangement. Old Testament reconciliation contains the idea of an atonement or covering for sin" (Taken from: "Unger's Bible Dictionary"; Unger, Merrill F.; Copyright 1957, Moody Bible Institute of Chicago; Moody Press. Used by permission.)
RECONCILIATION IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
"And he slew [it]; and Moses took the blood, and put [it] upon the horns of the altar round about with his finger, and purified the altar, and poured the blood at the bottom of the altar, and sanctified it, to make reconciliation upon it." (Leviticus 8:15)
"And the priests killed them, and they made reconciliation with their blood upon the altar, to make an atonement for all Israel: for the king commanded [that] the burnt offering and the sin offering [should be made] for all Israel." (2 Chronicles 29:24)
"And one lamb out of the flock, out of two hundred, out of the fat pastures of Israel; for a meat offering, and for a burnt offering, and for peace offerings, to make reconciliation for them, saith the Lord GOD. All the people of the land shall give this oblation for the prince in Israel. And it shall be the prince's part [to give] burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel." (Ezekiel 45:15-17)
"Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy." (Daniel 9:24)
These are the references where the term reconciliation appears in the Old Testament. Let us gather some facts from these verses.
1. There was shedding of blood in preparation for reconciliation. The blood was a means by which the alter was purified, so that sacrifices could be offered for reconciliation. (Leviticus 8:15)
2. There was a shedding of blood to make reconciliation for the nation of Israel. (2 Chronicles 29:24)
3. There will be offerings of animals in the Millennial Kingdom for the people of Israel. It is not known just why these offerings will be given. The Lord will be in their presence and Israel will have turned to Him nationally. Whether they will be under the sacrificial system literally or for a memorial, we are not told. (Ezekiel 45:15-17)
It is of note that the offerings for reconciliation were commanded by God, not devised by man. Again, we see that the different items of salvation are God's idea.
4. In this passage as well as the others, reconciliation is linked to the sin of the people. The sin was separating the people from God. (Daniel 9:24)
The question that might come to mind is this. Is reconciliation a prerequisite for salvation? We always tie reconciliation directly to salvation, but should we.
It would seem that these verses show reconciliation to be the restoration of fellowship between Israel and God. Salvation is not mentioned in these texts. It seems, at least in the Old Testament, that reconciliation may be that action which brings the believer back into fellowship with God.
It seems that Leviticus 16:20 might back up this idea. It mentions a reconciling of places rather than people. It seems that the term has the idea
of correcting a relationship. In the case of the holy place, it was correcting from impure to pure.
Now let us move on to the New Testament.
RECONCILIATION IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
WORDS USED
I will list the words and the passages where they appear. Comments will be made as needed. (All usages of the words are listed.)
VERBS
"katallasso" (Strong's 2644) "properly denotes to change, exchange (especially of money); hence, of persons, to change from enmity to friendship, to reconcile." (Vine, W. E.; "An Expository Dictionary Of New Testament Words"; Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Co.)
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."
It seems that we may have been reconciled even before we were saved. It seems that the term relates to that action of Christ which made it possible for God and man to have fellowship. It is a changing in the relationship.
1 Corinthians 7:11
"But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to
[her] husband and let not the husband put away [his] wife."
Though this passage is speaking of marriage and separation, it depicts the action by which the wife can be brought back into a proper marriage relationship with her husband. The term reconciliation again seems to mean the action of repairing a relationship.
2 Corinthians 5:18
"And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by
Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;"
Here we see that it was God's idea to reconcile us to Himself. It is also shown here that it is our responsibility to share the Gospel so that others might also be reconciled to Him. 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 adds to this thought.
"apokatallasso" (Strong's 604) "to reconcile completely...to change from one condition to another, so as to remove all enmity and leave no impediment to unity and peace" (Vine)
Ephesians 2:16
"And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the
cross, having slain the enmity thereby"
This passage indicates that there was enmity between God and man, but that the enmity was done away with by the cross. Again, it would seem that Christ's work repaired a relationship, but it does not indicate that this is indeed, salvation. Salvation was made a possibility because man was reconciled with God through the cross.
Colossians 1:20
"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."
Colossians 1:21
"And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in [your]
mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled"
"diallasso" (Strong's 1259) "to effect an alteration, to exchange, and hence, to reconcile, in cases of mutual hostility yielding to mutual concession" (Vine)
Matthew 5:24
"Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be
reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift."
This shows the repairing of a relationship as has been mentioned before.
NOUNS
"katallage" (Strong's 2643) "primarily an exchange, denotes reconciliation, a change on the part of one party, induced by an action on the part of another" Vine.
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."
The word we are looking for in this text is atonement. It is normally translated reconciliation.
Romans 11:15
"For if the casting away of them [be] the reconciling of the world,
what [shall] the receiving [of them be], but life from the dead?"
This pictures the world reconciled. It seems that reconciliation was provided for all of mankind, through the cross of Christ. Christ's action repaired the relationship between God and man. All has been done by Christ, so that man can come to God. If man refuses, then this results in his eternal position in the Lake of Fire.
2 Corinthians 5:18, 19
"And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;" "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation."
"hilaskomai" (Strong's 2433) It is translated merciful in Luke 18:13 and reconciliation in Hebrews 2:17. (This term is related to the Greek term translated propitiation. Romans 3:25; Hebrews 8:12)
Luke 18:13
"And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner."
Hebrews 2:17
"Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto [his] brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things [pertaining] to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people."
Let us recap what we have learned from these passages.
1. We were enemies when we were reconciled. Romans 5:10; 11:15; Ephesians 1:21
2. We were reconciled to God. Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20; Ephesians 2:16. This reconciliation was a restoration of man to God, not the other way around.
3. We were reconciled by Jesus Christ. Romans 5:10; 5:11; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 — by His death Romans 5:10 — by His blood Colossians 1:20.
4. We went away from God by our own will, and now Christ makes it possible for us to return. Though this verse deals with marriage it gives the essence of the term. That is one that has gone away of her own will is to return. 1 Corinthians 7:11
5. We are ministers and ambassadors of reconciliation to the world. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
6. The world is in view when God was reconciling. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
7. We are to beseech the lost to be reconciled to God. (We do this in Christ's stead.) 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
8. God has Committed the job of reconciliation to the saved. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
9. We are reconciled With the Jews, unto God. Ephesians 2:16
10. There is more to reconciliation than man alone. Colossians 1:20,
"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."
The earth and heaven are under duress in some manner due to the fall of man. The ground only was cursed in Genesis three, however this verse would indicate that the whole of creation is in the backwash of man's sin and fall.
All things have been reconciled unto Christ. The completion of this is yet to come, but the provision has been made for all things to be reconciled unto him. In the creature realm it is limited to those that can, and do choose to respond to that reconciliation. (The angels can't, but man can, if he desires.)
11. Reconciliation should cause joy in our lives. 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."
Thiessen relates the terms propitiation and reconciliation thusly: "The two ideas seem to be related to each other as cause and effect: Christ's death 'propitiated' God, and as a result he is 'reconciled'" (Thiessen, Henry C.; "Lectures In Systematic Theology"; Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1949, p 327)
He relates an apt illustration. "At first God and man stood face to face with each other. In sinning, Adam turned his back upon God. Then God turned His back upon Adam. [due to His justice demanding He turn away from sin.] Christ's death has satisfied the demands of God and now God has again turned His face toward man. It remains for man to turn round about and face God. Since God has been reconciled by the death of His Son, man is now entreated to be reconciled to God." (Thiessen, p 327-328)
Have you really thought about all that we have been studying to this point? Have we really gotten hold of the truths that we have been studying? 2 Corinthians 5: 18-19 states
"And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them, [This almost sounds like God has not been keeping track of sins since the cross. This would be a
good study sometime.] and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation."
"GOD WAS IN CHRIST RECONCILING
THE WORLD UNTO HIMSELF"
If We Believe That Christ died for all sin — the sin of the world — IF We Believe That Christ propitiated God for the whole world-If We Believe That Christ reconciled the whole world — If We Believe That Christ did all there was to do to bring the sinner to a point that all he had to do was to reject or accept Christ's sacrifice for his sin — Then — We have the sinner at what position before God? Think about it. What position is the lost person in today, before almighty God?
Is He Not At The Point Of Adam In The Garden In Essence — True He Is In A Dreadful State Of Sin And All Its Ramifications But Isn't He At The Same Deciding Point That Adam Was?
"Do I Want To Obey God, Or Do I Want To Do My Own Thing? In reality I believe that is just were lost mankind is today, and has been since the cross.
Thus, one that argues against the total depravity of man being based on the sin of Adam — he argues a mute question. It really doesn't matter in the context of salvation.
The Word Of God States That Christ Has Paid The Price, And That You Must Receive His Work, Or Spend Eternity In The Lake Of Fire.
You Will Accept That Imperative Or Reject It. In So Doing You Accept Or Reject God's Injunction To Adam To Obey God.
The application of this thinking is to the fact that we are all like Adam — we all chose to sin. Thus at the point of decision which God has so graciously brought us through His Son, we will as Adam — reject God's injunction to obey. Thus, We Have The Total Depravity Of Man Proven As Well As The Election And Drawing Of The Holy Spirit Of The Elect To God.
He Did His Part. "That man is an utterly lost sinner who could never find his own way back to God, is a very unpalatable truth for the average
natural man or woman. We all like to think that there is something we can do to help save ourselves, whereas, according to God's Word we are not only lost, but without ability to retrieve our condition. It is remarkable how apt the colored folks are in quick illustrations of spiritual realities, as the following instance will show.
"A recent convert, a colored man, rose in a meeting to give his testimony to the saving grace of God. He told how the Lord had won his hear and given deliverance from the guilt and power of sin. He spoke of Christ and His work, but said nothing of any efforts of his own.
"The leader of the meeting was of a legalistic turn of mind, and when the negro's testimony was ended, he said, 'Our brother has only told us of the Lord's part in his salvation. When I was converted there was a whole lot I had to do myself before I could expect the Lord to do anything for me. Brother, didn't you do your part first before God did His?' The other was on his feet again in an instant and replied: 'Yes, sah, Ah clear done forgot. Ah didn't tell you 'bout my pard, did I? Well, Ah did my part for over thirty years, runnin' away from God as fast as evah my sins could carry me. That was my part. An' God took aftah me till He run me down. That was His part.' It was well put and tells the story that every redeemed sinner understands." (Ironside/"Illustrations Of Bible Truths")
Let us close with a summation of the doctrine by Unger. "By this change lost humanity is rendered savable. As a result of the changed position of the world through the death of Christ the divine attitude toward the human family can no longer be the same. God is enabled to deal with lost souls in the light of what Christ has accomplished. (Taken from: "Unger's Bible Dictionary"; Unger, Merrill F.; Copyright 1957, Moody Bible Institute of Chicago; Moody Press. Used by permission.)
SANCTIFICATION
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." Colossians 3:1-4
Thiessen suggests: "we may define sanctification as a separation to God, an imputation of Christ as our holiness, purification from moral evil, and conformation to the image of Christ. This statement needs further elaboration." He takes over a page to do so. (Thiessen, Henry C.; "Lectures In Systematic Theology"; Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1949)
The terms for holiness and sanctification in the New Testament are very similar. The terms translated sanctify and sanctification are of the same family as terms translated holy.
The Greek term translated sanctify, sanctified and sanctifieth is Strong's number 37. This is the word "hagiazo." It is translated holy in Revelation 22:1 (speaking of holy living), and hallowed in the Lord's prayer (hallowed by thy name, Mat 6:9; Luke 11:2).
A related term (Strong's 38) is the term translated sanctification. It is "hagiasmos." It is also translated holiness at times. (Romans 6:19; Romans 6:22) The word seems to relate to something being set apart.
Another related term is "hagion" which is translated "sanctuary" or "holy place." It is only used in the book of Hebrews. All of the related terms refer to holiness or sanctification.
We Got It. We Get It. We'll Get It. Sanctification is both an event and a process.
We are set apart for the Lord's purposes. He should direct us into that which He desires for us. This is dependent upon our willingness to follow.
We need to mention two terms which have been covered in detail elsewhere. Standing and state relate to this study. Standing is that which we have in Christ before God. These are things which we have automatically when we are converted. Our state is the way we are living. We can live in a sinful state, or we can live in a state of relative holiness. So, standing is what we are before God and state is what we are living like before God.
As an event sanctification is an event of standing, something which happens at the moment of salvation. Believers are sanctified no mater what their state is. You can be submerged in sin (state), yet you are sanctified in God's eyes (standing). We are set apart whether we act like it or not. If we are living for God, then we are sanctified in both our standing and state.
1 Corinthians 1:2 mentions,
"Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called [to be] saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:"
This pictures the sanctification before God. It is something that is a done deal.
Sanctification as a process is the process by which we make ourselves, with God's help, sanctified. Colossians 3:4-13 mentions things that we as believer are to do. Take a moment to read this passage.
In this passage we are encouraged to "Mortify" our members. Verse 8 tells us to put off the works of our former life. Verses 10-12 tell us to put on the new man — the works of the sanctified person, as opposed to the works of the lost life.
We are sanctified in God's eyes, yet this is not complete. We still have that state in which we sin. There is a day in the future, when we will reside in our glorified bodies when we will be finally and completely sanctified for all of eternity. God will see to this event for all that have accepted His Son's work on the cross.
Let me list some references and comments which will cover the sanctification of the believer.
IT IS AN EVENT
God Sanctified Us: Jude 1; 1 Thessalonians 5:23.
Christ Provided For It: Ephesians 5:26; Hebrews 2:11; Hebrews 13:12. With his blood (Hebrews 13:12) and His body (Hebrews 10:10). Righteousness and redemption are also linked to sanctification, in relation to Christ's provision. 1 Corinthians 1:30.
The Holy Spirit Enacted IT: Romans 15:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 Peter 1:2.
IT IS A PROCESS
God Desires Sanctification: Sanctification is God's will. 1 Thessalonians 4:3
"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye
should abstain from fornication;"
It should be our desire as well. We need to see to it that our mental faculties bring about decisions which keep us in a state of sanctification. (In our state. We have nothing to do with our standing sanctification. It is complete and set by God.)
We Are To Set God Apart In Our Lives: The Lord's prayer (Matthew 6:9) uses the term of God's name. "Hallowed be thy name" This relates to using the Lord's name improperly. His name should be something that we set apart for only Him.
He should be uppermost in our lives. 1 Peter 3:15 "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts" He should rule our lives. This is our decision. Either we allow him to or we rule ourselves.
We Are To Set Ourselves Apart For God: 2 Timothy 2:21
"If a man, therefore, purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and fit for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work."
That seems to be self explanatory.
We Can Set Objects Apart For God's Use: This was done in the Old Testament. 2 Chronicles 29:17 "So they sanctified the house of the Lord" This might relate to building dedications. As long as the service is centered on God, and the buildings use for Him, it would be quite appropriate to dedicate a building. (Or possibly an airplane for missionary service, etc.)
Sanctification for food is mentioned in 1 Timothy 4:4,5
"For every creature of god is good, and nothing is to be refused, if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer."
A question might have come to your mind. Just how does sanctification relate to salvation. We have seen that it is something which takes place at salvation. We have seen that it is a provision of God through Christ. We have also seen that it has other aspects, but how does it relate to salvation? Let us consider this for a moment.
1. We, at salvation, are set apart for God, or should we maybe say unto Christ. John 6:39-40
"And this is the Father's will who hath sent me, that of all that he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."
This text seems to show two things. First, God has given the believer to Christ, and secondly, He will take care of those given Him unto eternity.
2. Romans 8:28 and following indicate that there was a setting apart in eternity past. It is related to the predestination of some unto salvation. 1 Peter 1:2 also relates to this train of thought.
"Elect according to the foreknowledge of God, the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:"
3. We are a peculiar people. Ephesians 1:14
"Who is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the
purchased possession unto the praise of his glory."
("purchased possession" is the same term translated a peculiar people in 1 Peter 2:9)
Notice here that we have redemption tied to possession. Christ bought us to be a possession. The term redemption has the idea of "buy out of the market." This idea of sanctification seems to be the setting apart of the believer after the price has been paid. The taking home of the product, or the servant if you will.
Ephesians 1:4 may well be the clincher to this thinking.
"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him, in love."
Chosen to stand before him without blame.
Another passage which ties in well with this is 1 Peter 1:20,
"Who [Christ] verily was foreordained before the foundation of the
world, but was manifest in these last times for you,"
Christ was foreordained to die for those that were predestinated to be His peculiar people or His possession. He purchased us (redemption).
Sanctification is an event which takes place at salvation. It is also a process as we attempt to maintain holy lives. We are set apart in standing before God, but we are to be set apart in our state as we live before Him.
"Once there lived another man within me,
Child of earth and slave of Satan he; But I nailed him to the cross of Jesus,
And that man is nothing now to me.
Now Another Man is living in me, And I count His blessed life as mine; I have died with Him to all my own life;
I have ris'n to all His life divine."
Rev. A. B. Simpson.
We are to be holy people, or set apart for His purposes. 1 Peter 1:16 "Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am Holy." A simple instruction. God is Holy and that is the example that we are to follow.
We must make the decision as to how we live this life that we have been given.
ON DIFFERENT TRACKS
"An eminent Eastern divine was riding, some years ago, on one of two railways which ran side by side for a mile or two, and then diverged, ending at points far distant from each other. Sitting with him was a clergyman of 'liberal' views, who had what he supposed to be an unanswerable question to ask.
"'You orthodox have among you regenerate souls, as you call them, who are proud, and penurious, and uncomfortable to others, as husbands, fathers, and friends. Then, too, you have unregenerate sinners who are amiable and genial, public spirited, and, in short, make for the present, at least, a better show than the saints. Now, I want to know the real difference between the worst Christian and the best sinner.'
"Just then, his friend, looking out the car window, saw another train moving by their side, and said, 'You see that other train?'
"'Yes.'
"'With the same number of cars as ours?'
"'Yes.'
"'And the two engines are alike?'
"' Yes.'
"'Not much difference as to looks between them?'
"'No.'
"'But, my dear friend, they are running on different tracks.'"
Lorenz, (Stuber, Stanley I. and Clark, Thomas Curtis; "Treasury Of The Christian Faith"; New York: Association Press, 1949)
Many years ago I picked up a quote from somewhere, I know not where. It is great for our thoughts so I would like to share it. "Sow a Thought, and
you reap an Act. Sow an Act, and you reap a Habit. Sow a Habit, and you reap a Character. Sow a Character, and you reap a Destiny."
So it is with the life of holiness. A thought moves to being an act, which if repeated becomes a habit, which becomes part of your character, and that becomes part of your destiny. You will become a holy person.
JUSTIFICATION
"Justification may be defined as that judicial act of God by which, on account of Christ, to whom the sinner is united by faith, He declares that sinner to be no longer exposed to the penalty of the law but restored to divine favor." (Pardington, Revelation George P. Ph.D.; Outline Studies In Christian Doctrine; Harrisburg, PA: Christian Publications, 1926, pp 316317)
Pardington continues in a note, "In the New Testament, the word "justify" means not to make righteous, but to declare righteous. And justification is the state of one who is thus declared righteous"
Let's look at the terms used in the New Testament.
NOUNS
"dikaiosis" "denote the act of pronouncing righteous, justification, acquittal; its precise meaning is determined by that of the verb "dikaioo", to justify" (Vine, W. E.; An Expository Dictionary Of New Testament Words; Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Co.) Romans 4:25 "Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification." (Scofield mentions "for" in both cases can be translated "on account of.") Romans 5:18 "...by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life."
"dikaioma" "has three distinct meanings, and seems best described comprehensively as "a concrete expression of righteousness;" it is a declaration that a person or thing is righteous, and hence, broadly speaking, it represents the expression and effect of "dikaiosis"" (Vine) This word is translated ordinances, judgment, righteousness and justification.
VERBS
"dikaioo" "primarily, to deem to be right" (Vine)
These terms are very closely related to the terms translated righteousness.
Now that we have seen the terms, we need to draw some conclusions from their usage in the Scriptures.
Justification Is Dependent On The Resurrection: Romans 4:25, "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." It would seem that the resurrection was a prerequisite for our justification. This would relate to the fact that if there were no resurrection, Christ could not enter the heavenly tabernacle to offer His blood. Without the offering of His blood there could be no justification.
Justification Is A Free Gift From Christ: Romans 5:18,
"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."
Christ provided, in His death, the justification of all that come to Him for salvation.
Justification Is Dependant On Belief: Acts 13:39,
"And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from
which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses."
(See also, Romans 3:26)
Justification Is Not Based On Works: Romans 3:20,
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified
in his sight for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin."
(See also Romans 3:28; Galatians 2:16) There is nothing that we can do to secure justification. We cannot gain it by keeping the law, we cannot gain it by keeping a list of do's and don'ts, and we can't gain it by giving up material items.
We might just insert a brief commentary on the thought of legalism. Legalism in the Bible is the attempt to keep the law to gain salvation. There are those today that relate legalism to many other thoughts. Biblically, legalism is keeping the law for salvation.
Some charge that anyone that keeps a list of do's and don'ts is a legalist. Not So. God keeps a list of do's and don'ts in the Word, and He is not a legalist. Lists are not wrong. If a person is attempting to gain salvation by keeping those lists, then they are legalistic.
Don't allow someone to condemn you because God has burdened your heart to not do something. It is between you and God, and it is not legalism. If your convictions are based on the Word, then you are responsible before God to follow them. Do it.
Justification Corrects The Problems Of The Flesh: Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16. The natural position of man is one which will result in the lake of fire. That position is changed by the work of justification. Justification corrects all that Adam brought upon mankind.
Justification Is Related To Redemption: We cannot be justified, until we are redeemed. Yes, the two occur in an instant, yet justification cannot occur until we are redeemed. Romans 3:24
Justification Comes Via The Grace Of God: Romans 3:24, "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:" (Also Titus 3:7) We fell with Adam, and God was not responsible. He had no obligation to do anything, yet because He was gracious, He extended salvation as a remedy to our problem.
Justification Brings Sonship:
"That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs
according to the hope of eternal life." Titus 37
Again, we see the sequence of the salvation event. We are justified, and then we have sonship available. Sonship then is dependent upon justification. This is only logical. God is not going to share His Son's kingdom with children of Satan.
Justification Is By Faith: Justification cannot be worked for, bought, or stolen. It is dependent on the faith of the individual that comes to Christ for salvation. (Romans 3:28, 30; 5:1; Galatians 3:24)
Justification Is Provided By God:
"Seeing [it is] one God, which shall justify the circumcision by
faith, and Uncircumcision through faith." Romans 330
(It comes by belief; Romans 4:5. It frees us from all charges; Romans 8:33.)
Justification Is Accomplished By Christ's Blood:
"Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be
saved from wrath through him." Romans 59
His blood being offered in the heavenly tabernacle opened the way for justification to become a reality. With no blood, there would be no justification. We were fully dependent upon Christ and His provision.
Justification Is A Result Of Predestination:
"Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." (Romans 8:30)
Again, we see the sequence aspect of salvation. In this text justification is preceded by our calling, and followed by glorification.
Justification Is Carried Out By The Holy Spirit:
"And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Corinthians 6:11)
As in most of the great doctrines of salvation, God the Father enacted the program, God the Son made provision for the program, and God the Holy Spirit brings the program to pass in the individuals life.
Justification Is For All Peoples:
"And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, [saying], In thee shall all nations be blessed." (Galatians 3:8)
God provided salvation to all peoples in the beginning, but in Abraham narrowed His focus for a time. This is not to say that only Jews could be
saved, but that the Jews were the messengers. In Abraham, all nations were to be blessed.
Justification Should Result In A Changed Walk: "the just shall live by faith." Our walk should be based completely on faith in God. Our lives should be planned by faith, our years should be planned by faith, and our every minute should be planned by faith.
This is not a request, but a command. God expects us to live by faith, no matter what situation we find ourselves in. It has always interested me to notice that our Christian colleges and seminaries attempt to teach their students to live by faith. They expect their faculty to live by faith. Yet, the organization is somehow magically exempt from this concept. The School must survive, so the students Will have money for school before they arrive. Many students have been turned away at registration because they do not have a specific amount of money.
If the student is to walk by faith, and the faculty is to walk by faith, then how can they learn this concept if the institution is not operating by faith? Seems somewhat illogical to me.
I would like to list some quotations which will further define the thought of justification.
Chafer mentions, "Imputed righteousness is the ground of justification. According to the New Testament usage, the words "righteousness" and "justify" are from the same root. God declares the one justified forever whom He sees in Christ. It is an equitable decree since the justified one is clothed in the righteousness of God. Justification is not a fiction or a state of feeling; it is rather an immutable reckoning in the mind of God. Like imputed righteousness, justification is by faith (Romans 5:1), through grace (Titus 3:4-7), and made possible through the death and resurrection of Christ (Romans 3:24; 4:25). It is abiding and unchangeable since it rests only on the merit of the eternal son of God.
"Justification is more than forgiveness, since forgiveness is the cancellation of sin while justification is the imputing of righteousness. Forgiveness is negative (the removal of condemnation), while justification is positive (the bestowing of the merit and standing of Christ)." (Chafer, Lewis
Sperry/Revised by Walvoord, John F.; "Major Bible Themes"; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1974, p 200)
Chafer in his systematic theology: "Theologically considered, the term justification means to be declared righteous. It is true that, being in Christ, the believer is righteous; but justification is the divine acknowledgment and declaration that the one who is in Christ is righteous. That which God thus publishes He defends. Justification is immutable." (Chafer, Lewis Sperry; "Systematic Theology"; Dallas, TX: Dallas Seminary Press, 1947, Vol. III, p 128)
The Westminster Shorter Catechism states, "Justification is an act of God's free grace, wherein He pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in His sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone."
The opposite of justification seems to be condemnation. We were condemned to the lake of fire, and now we are justified.
CONCLUSION
I would like to share some thoughts from Best Sermon Pictures by Lawson; Moody Press. They were quoting The Sunday School Times. "An instrument used for weighing gold in the assay office is balanced so delicately that, when two pieces of paper, of exactly the same size and weight, are placed on the balances, it still retains the same poise. But if a name be written on one of the papers, it will turn the scale. The name of Jesus on the heart turns the scale into peace and presence of God. It is the possession of His name thus written that spells "saved." It is the lack of it that spells "lost."