Bible Doctrine Series-The Death of Christ

The death of Christ is the heart of the Gospel and in a sense is the central theme of Scripture. The Fact of the Death of Christ. 1. In Types and symbols. a. The Old testament sacrificial system—Romans 3:21. b. The coats of skin—Genesis 3:21. c. Abel’s lamb—Genesis 4:4. d. The offering of Isaac—Genesis 22. e. The brazen serpent—Numbers 21; cf. John 3:14-15. f. The Passover lamb—Exodus 12; cf. John 1:29. 2. In Prophecies. a. The seed of the woman—Genesis 3:15. b. The Sufferer of Psalm 22. c. The Sufferer of Psalm 69. d. The suffering servant—Isaiah 52:13-53:12. e. The cut-off Messiah—Daniel 9:24-26. f. The smitten shepherd—Zechariah 13:7. 3. In the Preaching of John the Baptist—John 1:29. 4. In the Teaching of Christ Himself. For the first two years or so of Jesus’ ministry He stressed the Kingdom of God and the need to prepare for that great era (Mark 1:14-15). The emphasis of His ministry then was not so much on His death as on His role in the Kingdom. However, there are allusions to the cross (John 2:18-22; 3:14-15; 6:51-56). It was at Casearea Philippi that He first began openly to teach and proclaim His death (Matthew 16:21). This was because the rejection of the Kingdom by Israel and its postponement were inevitable, and Jesus began to prepare His followers for His death and absence. It has been said that “Christ came, not so much to preach the Gospel of His own death, but in order that there might be such a Gospel to preach.” 5. In the Preaching of the Apostles. Acts 2:23; 3:14-15. The Necessity of the Death of Christ. Jesus expressed a compelling need to go to the cross (Matthew 16:21; Mark 8:31). This was not a necessity or fate since Jesus went voluntarily (John 10:14-18; Ephesians 5:2). Nor was it simply an earnest but erroneous way to induce the coming of the Kingdom (as says Albert Schweitzer). Not the Biblical reasons for the death of Christ. 1. To Fulfill His Own Eternal Purpose. John 12:27; Revelation 13:8; 1 Peter 1:19-20. 2. To Be Obedient To the Will of God the Father. Matthew 26:38-39, 42, 44; Hebrews 10:5-7, 10. Note: Was God under obligation to send Jesus to the cross? God was not under obligation to save sinners; He could have given all the just deserts of sin. But God in grace chose to provide salvation from sin, and thus arose the necessity of accomplishing this purpose through the death of His own Son. It was impossible for even God to save sinners apart from vicarious sacrifice once the decision was made to save sinners. So Jesus died in obedience to God’s will. 3. To Fulfill Prophecy. Matthew 26:52-54; Luke 24:44-46. 4. To Share His Own Eternal Life With Men. John 3:14-15; 12:20-24. The Nature of the Death of Christ. 1. Death in Scripture carries the idea of separation. There are basically two kinds of death; both mean separation and both are the result of sin. Physical death—the separation of the soul and spirit from the body. Spiritual death—the separation of the person from God; the second death is a permanent and final confirmation in spiritual death. Spiritual death is a result of sin and physical death is a result of spiritual death. When Jesus was “made sin” (2 Corinthians 5:21), He experienced both kinds of death. 2. Jesus was separated from God—Matthew 27:46. When Jesus was “made sin,” that is, judicially accounted with our sins (He was not personally polluted with sin), God, as the Righteous Judge, turned His face from Jesus. 3. Jesus’ spirit was separated from His body—Matthew 27:50. The order is first abandonment by the Father, then physical death. Jesus’ literal blood was shed on the cross (John 19:33-34). Although one is not saved by touching the molecules of Christ’s literal blood (if it was even possible), it is not wise or Scriptural to deprecate the literal blood of Jesus (as R. B. Thieme does, for example). The Meaning of the Death of Christ. The meaning of Christ’s death is found in the word “atonement.” Atonement means basically to cover. Sin is covered by the blood of Christ. But what does this mean? Note several factors. 1. The foundations of the Atonement. a. Satisfaction-Romans 3:25-26. God’s perfect and absolute holiness sets up a perfect and absolute standard of right which in turn demands perfect conformity (in motive, disposition, word, thought, deed, etc.) to the standard. Sin is nonconformity or a violation of God’s perfections, and creates guilt that must justly be punished. God’s holy demands are satisfied in this retribution or punishment. This is in the judicial or penal realm (not the emotional). Jesus’ death was the penal satisfaction of God’s wrath on the guilt of sin. b. Substitution. By substitutionary atonement is meant the death of Christ in the place of the sinner. It is sometimes called vicarious atonement. God demands that a sinner pay for his sin (Romans 3:23); He demands satisfaction for sin. Jesus has voluntarily become a substitute for sinners and has suffered the punishment of sin in their stead. Isaiah 53:5-6; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18. 2. The Categories of the Atonement. a. Sacrifice—Hebrews 9:26. Sacrifice presupposes guilt. It is an Old Testament idea (based on the sin offering and the entire Levitical sacrificial system), but actually the Old Testament sacrifices were patterned after the yet future sacrifice of Christ (Hebrews 9:23). Sacrifice brought final expiation of sin. b. Redemption—Ephesians 1:7; Matthew 20:28. (Also has the idea of Ransom). Redemption presupposes bondage. To redeem means to buy out of slavery by the payment of a ransom price. Christ’s death redeems sinners out of the slave market of sin. c. Propitiation—1 John 2:2. Propitiation presupposes wrath. It means to placate, appease or pacify. God’s hold wrath against sinners is pacified by the perfect death of His Son. God’s wrath is based on His holiness and is administered by His justice. Jesus took the just deserts of sin and placated God’s righteous anger. It is not that God’s wrath turns into love. But His wrath having been propitiated, there is a basis or channel for His live (cf. 1 John 4:10). d. Reconciliation—2 Corinthians 5:19. Reconciliation presupposes alienation or enmity. It means that the alienation has been removed and peace and harmony established. Reconciliation affects both God (Matthew 5:23, 24) and man (Romans 5:10). The death of Christ accomplished this reconciliation; it is something that must be received (Romans 5:11). 3. The Efficacy of the Atonement. What gives efficacy to the blood of Christ so that it can satisfy God’s holy demands in the areas of guilt, bondage, wrath and enmity? In other words, what unifies and gives cohesion to the atonement? The answer is obedience. The obedience of Christ is what enables His blood to cleanse from all sin (1 John 1:9). God reckons Christ’s obedience to our account of disobedience. a. Active Obedience. This is the title given by theologians to Christ’s obedience to His Father’s perfect will during His lifetime—Hebrews 5:8. b. Passive Obedience. This is the name given to Christ’s obedience in yielding up His life in death as a satisfaction for sin—Philippians 2:8; Mark 14:36. 4. The Extent of the Atonement. a. It’s Universality. 1) Being infinite, the atonement is sufficient for the sins of the world. John 1:29; 2 Corinthians 5:14; Hebrews 2:9. 2) The atonement made salvation and its blessings available to all. Revelation 22:17. 3) The atonement exerts drawing power on all (commonly called the “general call”). John 12:32; Acts 17:25-27. 4) The atonement brings restraint on sin for all and enables all to do some measure of right and honesty (usually called “common grace”). Matthew 5:45. b. It’s Limitation. There are certain benefits of the atonement that are limited to the elect; i.e., to believers. These are the benefits that are redemptive in nature (or saving in nature). 1) The atonement is efficient only to those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:10. 2) The elect are effectually summoned from death to life (termed the “effectual call”). 1 Corinthians 1:24; John 5:25; Romans 8:28. 3) The elect are efficaciously brought to faith and repentance upon hearing the Word of God (called “efficacious grace”). 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5; 1 Corinthians 1:18. Note: These particular benefits of the atonement do not relieve man’s freedom and responsibility –2 Peter 1:10; Hebrews 12:25. 4) Believers have the certainty of final salvation because of the atonement of Christ. Romans 8:31-39. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Spiritual Warfare and Mercy

Jesus, the Son of God, is a friend full of mercy, just as His Father is. He is ready and able to restore those who have fallen deep in sin, whether from pornography, substance abuse, even murder. Earl sought such forgiveness after one life-changing evening. Earl was drunk; he knew it was wrong to slip behind the wheel of his dad's car. Moreover, his license had been revoked a month earlier when he was arrested for, yes, drunk driving. When his seven-year old sister begged to go for a ride with him, even in his drunken state he was aware the answer should have been no. Earl says he doesn't remember running the red light and he has no memory of the truck hitting the passenger's side of his father's car. However, he says he does remember the gurgling sound his little sister made as she died before the rescue crew could get her out of the car. The eighteen months Earl spent in prison gave him a lot of time to think about his actions on that tragic day. He was in my office several days after his release. The most astounding thing for Earl was what I told him about Jesus-that all could be forgiven in Him through faith. Earl said he was amazed that "Jesus died for my sin, my rebellion, drunkenness, and my responsibility for the death of my baby sister. All of that was paid for on the cross." He knew he didn't deserve deliverance for his sinful actions, but that's what Jesus offers all who come to Him confessing sins and inviting Him into their lives. He gives grace and, in withholding ongoing punishment, He shows mercy. That day Earl asked and received the forgiveness of our heavenly Father. He invited Jesus into his life. His joy was heightened as he realized he would see his sister once more. He told me that his sister had trusted Christ as her Savior one year before the deadly accident. "She's in heaven now, waiting for me. I know that one day I will see my sister." Such faith nearly always brings tears to my eyes. But it also reinforces in me the power of Christ's forgiveness. Through it, we can gain real peace. This is another reason I believe Christian counseling is the only kind of counseling that can truly work. Christ's forgiveness is the reality that opens the door to all the other truths about Him. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Christ in You and Spiritual Warfare

"Christ in you {is} the hope of glory," wrote Paul the apostle in Colossians 1:27. Christ in us is the first step to victory in spiritual warfare. For those who are reading this article and living without Christ, realize that faith in Jesus Christ is as vital piece of armor-the helmet of salvation-that we put on to withstand Satan's attacks. (see Ephesians 6:17). When Jesus becomes our Savior, the deliverer from our sins, we enter into a relationship with God that, among other things, makes us "children of God" (John 1:12). "If anyone is in Christ," the Scripture says, "he is a new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17). The transition from being outside of Christ to in Christ often has amazing consequences. A person can literally "change overnight" from being addicted to a life of sin to being free to serve Christin a new and hold lifestyle. This is what happened to Charlie. He called me out of desperation. He said his problem placed his marriage and his job on the line. He went on to explain that he was employed as a hospital administrator and that he was using drugs. He had tried to quit many times; however, he would always return to them during times of pressure. His question was to the point: "Is there any power of earth that can set me free from this hell I live in?" I told him I believed there was, and he made an appointment. We sat down with an open Bible, and in a matter of ten minutes he received Christ. He left my office beaming. He then read through the entire Bible in the next two weeks, and he and his wife became active in a local church. No longer addicted to drugs or any other artificial stimulant, Charlie says, "When Jesus saved me. He also delivered me from drugs. I have never used them again; moreover, I have no desire to do so." Sometimes God in His wonderful grace instantly sets a person fee like that. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Saved from Satan's Lie

We live in a day when many want the fruit of Christianity without its root, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The truth is religious people, self-righteous people and "good people" need a Savior. People are not saved by the light they have, they will be judged by the light they have. They are saved by placing their faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. In Romans 1:25 we read "Who changed the truth of God into a lie and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever." Every sin in anyone's life is the exchange of the truth of God for a lie. Consequently, the more truthful one becomes with himself the more he is delivered from the deceitfulness of sin. When one learns he cannot save himself by good works and religious acts, he is receiving truth. The Scriptures tell us "Not by works of righteousness that we have done, but by His mercy he has saved us." There are three common sins people commit. There is immorality-sin against others. Sensuality-sin against self. And Idolatry-sin against God. The light of the gospel has the power to penetrate the darkest mind and the hardest heart. "Rescue the perishing, Care for the dying,Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave; Weep O'er the erring ones, lift up the fallen, tell them of Jesus the Mighty to save." Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Jesus Saves

The Son of God came into the world to save sinners. He came to the lost with the powerful message of salvation. He took this message of life to the children of Israel. "He came to His own (the lost sheep of Israel) and His own received Him not, but to them who received Him to them gave He the authority to become sons of God." The message of salvation is as relevant today as it was in Jesus day. He still "Seeks to save those who are lost." The most important message we will ever share is the message of salvation. The truth is “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”- 1 John 5:12. A life void of eternal life is a life wasted. Jesus said of Judas "It would have been better if he had never been born." On November 5, 1968 I cried out to God and asked Him to forgive my sins and come into my life, He did just that, and gave me a new life. "The old was gone, the new had come." (II Cor. 5:17). Now my life is in His hands, my future belongs to Him. He was the one I will walk with and talk with and trust. My walk has been far from perfect, but God has always been faithful to me. He stood there waiting when my heart has been hard. He has been faithful to discipline me when I desperately need correction. The Lord will always love me perfectly with all His heart, and He faithfully reminds me of His great love toward me. I am convinced the only life worth living is one totally yielded to the Lord. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

How Much Are You Really Worth?

The story is told about a quite wealthy man who passed away. At his funeral his lawyer was asked "how much money did he leave" to which the attorney replied "All of it." Your wealth is determined by what you consider to be valuable. I have heard mothers say of a new born baby "I would not trade him/her for all the money in the world." The Scriptures tell us "If a man should gain the whole world and lose his own soul what has it profited him." Some believe what this world has to offer is more important than the Kingdom of God. For example ask the "rich, young, ruler" of Jesus day. Paul wrote "Demas, having loved this present world has forsaken me." King David was rich in material goods, he wrote “I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.” Psalm 119:14. Seems like he has his priorities in order. I believe being an eternal friend of God is of far greater value than to have great earthly possessions. Is it time for you to make a priority adjustment? Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.