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If you desire to reproduce less than 500 words of this data file for resale or the enhancement of any other product for resale, please give the following source credit: Copyright 1994 by the Christian Research Institute, P.O. Box 500-TC, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693. ----------------------------------------------------------------- "Christ Died For Us" (an article from the From the Founder column of the Christian Research Newsletter, Volume 7: Number 1, 1994) by Walter Martin. The editor of the Christian Research Newsletter is Ron Rhodes. ------------- Why did Christ die? A simple question, yes, but the answer is most profound. We might answer, as a Christian, "Christ died _for me._" But exactly what does this mean? Did He die merely to appease God's wrath against us? Did He die only as an example for us? What does the Atonement really mean? The understanding of this basic scriptural truth eludes many, but it is vital to the soul's redemption and to our spiritual growth. To understand this doctrine we must go back to the Old Testament and its sacrificial offerings. The blood of animals, in itself, was never efficacious to cleanse from sin (Heb. 10:4). Rather, the blood symbolized the element of life offered for the life of the sinner. God always intended that the entire system of sacrificial offerings be of expiatory significance (Job 1:5; 42:3, 9; Lev. 17:2-11). The alienation of man from God through human sin made necessary a reconciliation, and the form of that reconciliation was ordained to be a cross -- on which the ultimate sacrifice would be made. The Jewish sacrificial system with its "covering" offerings (the Hebrew word for atonement, _kaphir,_ means "covering") made possible man's approach to the presence of a holy God. The sprinkling of blood upon the mercy seat in the tabernacle (Lev. 16:15-16) and the sprinkling of the blood of the Passover lamb (Exod. 12:7) underscored the importance of substitutionary sacrifice under the Old Covenant made between Jehovah and Israel. In the New Testament, particularly in the Book of Hebrews, the significance of such sacrifices is revealed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is pictured as both officiating Priest and atoning Sacrifice (Heb. 9:11-15; 10:10-12). The word "vicarious" comes from the Latin _vicar,_ which literally means "in place of" or "a substitute." Isaiah 53 is a classic passage on the doctrine of the vicarious atonement: "Surely he took up _our_ infirmities and carried _our_ sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced _for our_ transgressions, he was crushed _for our_ iniquities; the punishment that brought _us_ peace was upon him, and by his wounds _we_ are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity _of us all_" (vss. 4-6). Isaiah repeatedly stresses the vicarious aspects of the messianic offering when he states, "For the transgression _of my people_ he was stricken...he will bear _their_ iniquities...he bore the sin _of many,_ and made intercession _for the transgressors_" (Isa. 53:8, 11, 12). Certainly, the vicarious atonement of the Messiah of Israel forms one of the great pillars upon which rests the entire structure of the Christian religion. The Old Testament points like a massive arrow to the consummation of all sacrifices, an event of immeasurable importance and worth. In the New Testament, John the Baptist declares, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). And our Savior Himself declares His flesh and blood to be the sin offering for the whole world (John 6:51). When coupled with Paul's declaration that the church of God was "bought with his own blood" (Acts 20:28), such statements give an incontrovertible answer to the question, "Why did Jesus die?" A key Greek word pertinent to understanding the concept of substitutionary atonement -- the idea that Christ died _in our place_ -- is the word _anti._ In speaking of His substitutionary sacrifice, Christ declared, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom *for* [_anti_] many" (Matt. 20:28). At the Last Supper, during which Christ emphasized the vicarious nature of Calvary, He said, "This is my body given *for* [_anti_] you" (Luke 22:19). Another key Greek word is _huper._ In contexts dealing with the substitutionary atonement, this word means "in place of." We find this word used in 2 Corinthians 5:21: "Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin *for* [_huperemon_] us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." We likewise read in 1 Peter 3:18, "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous *for* [_huper_] the unrighteous, to bring you to God." What Christ has done for us is wonderful indeed! Let us resolve to draw closer to Him who loves us and loosed us from our sins through His own blood -- "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29) -- Jesus of Nazareth, "the Son of the Highest" (Luke 1:32). _This article was excerpted from Dr. Martin's book, *Essential Christianity.* It can be ordered from CRI for $7.00._ ------------- End of document, CRN0075A.TXT (original CRI file name), "Christ Died For Us" release A, July 31, 1994 R. Poll, CRI (A special note of thanks to Bob and Pat Hunter for their help in the preparation of this ASCII file for BBS circulation.) ----------------------------------------------------------------- YOURS FOR THE ASKING The Christian Research Institute (CRI) -- founded in 1960 by the late Dr. Walter R. Martin -- is a clearing house for current, in- depth information on new religious movements and aberrant Christian teachings. We provide well-reasoned, carefully-researched answers to concepts and ideas that challenge orthodox Christianity. Did you know that CRI has a wealth of information on various topics that is yours for the asking? We offer a wide variety of articles and fact sheets free of charge. Our informative newsletter is freely available upon request as well. Write or call us today for information on topics of interest to you. Our first-rate staff will do everything possible to help you. Christian Research Institute P.O. Box 500-TC San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693 (714) 855-9926 --------------- End of file.