13 TERMS OF SALVATION – REDEMPTION
(SCROLL DOWN FOR CHART OF ALL 13 TERMS)
(SCROLL DOWN FOR CHART OF ALL 13 TERMS)
Both the Hebrew (O.T.) and Greek
(N.T.) terms for REDEMPTION denote deliverance, severance
and release from sin, particularly by payment of a price. Some set
forward the idea that redemption primarily has the idea of ‘release’ and
also includes the idea of the price paid, while ransom emphasizes the
idea of the payment paid, but also includes the notion of freedom from bondage.
The shed blood of Jesus Christ is the ransom paid for the sinner’s release from
the bondage of the curse and from God’s dictum that the soul that sins must
die.
“You must know (recognize) that you were redeemed
(ransomed) from the useless (fruitless) way of living inherited by tradition
from [your] forefathers, not with corruptible things [such as] silver and gold,
But [you were purchased] with the precious blood of Christ (the Messiah), like that of a [sacrificial] lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19, Amp).
But [you were purchased] with the precious blood of Christ (the Messiah), like that of a [sacrificial] lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19, Amp).
KEY OLD TESTAMENT PASSAGES:
The doctrine of redemption finds its
seed introduction in the Old Testament and comes to full fruition in the New. The Hebrew pada means “to deliver” or “to sever.” The Jews were a redeemed
people, set free from the bondage of Egypt by the power of God and commemorated
forever by the Passover (blood shed). This was an annual offering of slain
lambs to the LORD. The blood was applied to the two doorposts and on the lintel
of the houses and God said:
“The blood shall be for a token or sign to you upon [the
doorposts of] the houses where you are, [that] when I see the blood, I will
pass over you, and no plague shall be upon you to destroy you when I smite the
land of Egypt. And this day shall be to you for a memorial. You shall keep it
as a feast to the Lord throughout your generations, keep it as an ordinance
forever” (Exodus 12:13-14. Amp).
Redemption, in a very Gospel oriented
sense, is set forth in Psalm 49:6-10,15:
“Even of those who trust in and lean on their
wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches?
None of them can by any means redeem [either himself or] his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him—
For the ransom of a life is too costly, and [the price one can pay] can never suffice—
So that he should live on forever and never see the pit (the grave) and corruption.
For he sees that even wise men die; the [self-confident] fool and the stupid alike perish and leave their wealth to others…………15But God will redeem me from the power of Sheol (the place of the dead); for He will receive me. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!” (Psalms 49:6-10,15).
None of them can by any means redeem [either himself or] his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him—
For the ransom of a life is too costly, and [the price one can pay] can never suffice—
So that he should live on forever and never see the pit (the grave) and corruption.
For he sees that even wise men die; the [self-confident] fool and the stupid alike perish and leave their wealth to others…………15But God will redeem me from the power of Sheol (the place of the dead); for He will receive me. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!” (Psalms 49:6-10,15).
KEY NEW TESTAMENT PASSAGES:
REDEMPTION FINDS ITS FULLNESS OF
DEFINITION IN THE NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES. The Greek apolytrosis
denotes a loosing by payment of a price. Its meaning centers in the atoning
work of Christ as the price paid for human redemption, and on account of which
Christ is called the Redeemer.
Passages:
Matthew 20:28; Romans 3:24; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Galatians 3:13; Ephesians 1:7; 1
Timothy 2:5,6; and 1 Peter 1:18,19 (see above).
The
necessity of redemption implies prior bondage. In his natural state man is held
captive by Satan and in subjection to the dominion and curse of sin (Galatians
3:13; 1 Corinthians 15:56). Belief in Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior
frees a sinner’s soul from such captivity to Satan and to sin. Believers
look forward to a final redemption when the body is likewise loosed from
all the ravages of sin (Romans 8:15-23; 1 Corinthians 15:55-57). We can
conclude that the Redeemer completely frees sinners from sin, liberating both
the soul and body from the curse of sin. The payment of Christ’s blood is made
to the Father, thereby satisfying (the propitiatory power of the blood) His
order that the soul that sins must die.
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Dick
D. Christen