Definition and Concept

Redemption, in the biblical context, refers to the act of being saved from sin, error, or evil. It is a central theme in Christian theology, emphasizing the deliverance of humanity from the bondage of sin through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The redemption of our souls is the process by which believers are reconciled to God, receiving forgiveness and eternal life.

Old Testament Foundations

The concept of redemption is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where it is often associated with the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. This historical event serves as a foreshadowing of the ultimate redemption through Christ. In Exodus 6:6 , God declares, "I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment." The Hebrew word for redemption, "ga'al," implies a kinsman-redeemer, one who rescues or buys back a relative in distress.

The sacrificial system established in the Mosaic Law also points to the need for atonement and redemption. Leviticus 17:11 states, "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life." These sacrifices were temporary measures, anticipating the perfect and final sacrifice of Christ.

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, the redemption of our souls is fully realized through Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul articulates this in Ephesians 1:7 : "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace." Here, redemption is linked to the grace of God and the sacrificial death of Jesus, whose blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins.

The concept of redemption is further expanded in 1 Peter 1:18-19 : "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot." This passage emphasizes the priceless nature of Christ's sacrifice, contrasting it with earthly wealth.

Theological Implications

Redemption is not merely a transactional event but a transformative process that affects the believer's entire being. It involves justification, sanctification, and ultimately glorification. Through redemption, believers are justified, or declared righteous before God, as seen in Romans 3:24 : "and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

Sanctification, the process of being made holy, is also a part of redemption. Titus 2:14 states, "He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds." Redemption thus leads to a life of holiness and service to God.

Eschatological Hope

The redemption of our souls carries an eschatological dimension, pointing to the future hope of complete restoration. Romans 8:23 speaks of this anticipation: "And not only this, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." This future aspect of redemption includes the resurrection and glorification of believers, culminating in eternal life with God.

Practical Application

The redemption of our souls calls for a response of faith and obedience. Believers are urged to live in the light of their redeemed status, as Paul exhorts in Colossians 1:13-14 : "He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." This new identity in Christ compels Christians to live as ambassadors of God's kingdom, reflecting His love and grace to the world.Psalm 111:9
He sent redemption to his people: he has commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
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Psalm 130:7
Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.
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Matthew 20:28
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
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Mark 10:45
For even the Son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
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Luke 2:38
And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise to the Lord, and spoke of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
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Acts 20:28
Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.
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Romans 3:24-26
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
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1 Corinthians 1:30
But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made to us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
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1 Corinthians 6:20
For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
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1 Corinthians 7:23
You are bought with a price; be not you the servants of men.
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Galatians 1:4
Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
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Galatians 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
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Galatians 4:4,5
But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
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Ephesians 1:7
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
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Ephesians 5:2
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling smell.
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Colossians 1:14,20-22
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
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1 Timothy 2:6
Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
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Titus 2:14
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
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Hebrews 9:12,15
Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
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1 Peter 1:18,19
For as much as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
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Revelation 5:9,10
And they sung a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
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On the Effects of the Redemption
... Thus the redemption had two effects, namely, to satisfy God for the offense offered ...
"Sanctifying," that is, making us holy by cleansing, purifying our souls. ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 10 on the effects.htm

Fourth Sunday after Trinity Redemption of the Creatures.
... REDEMPTION OF THE CREATURES. ... These tyrants wantonly abuse our characters, our bodies,
our property rights, just as the devil abuses our souls. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/fourth sunday after trinity redemption.htm

Plenteous Redemption
... when Christ redeemed our souls, he redeemed the tabernacles in which our souls dwell ...
You ask, then, in what way redemption operates upon the body of the believer ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/plenteous redemption.htm

On Grieving the Holy Spirit
... of our bodies." And to this day of redemption we are sealed by the Holy Spirit these
three ways: ". 1. By receiving his real stamp upon our souls; by being ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 138 on grieving the.htm

Full Redemption
... have been extracted, and we shall take our place among ... The redemption shall be complete;
"not a hoof shall be ... and their bones as well as their souls, "and not ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/full redemption.htm

On the Annunciation of Our Lady
... Thou hast given it back to me by redemption; so that I ... that ye also may become the
mothers of our Lord in ... God, that he may be conceived and born in your souls. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon ix on the annunciation.htm

Redeemed Souls Freed from Fear.
... REDEEMED SOULS FREED FROM FEAR ... each man on his own part was hopelessly bankrupt;
and then, despite our spiritual beggary, He found the means of our redemption. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/redeemed souls freed from fear.htm

Christ, the Believer's Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and ...
... O grave, where is thy victory!'. But what is the redemption of the body, in
comparison of the redemption of the better part, our souls? ...
/.../christ the believers wisdom righteousness.htm

John Chapter xv. 15, 16
... at its close the reward be received; not only the redemption of our body, whereof
the Apostle Paul speaketh, [1443] but also the salvation of our souls, as we ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lxxxvi john chapter xv.htm

He Maketh Me to Lie Down in Pastures of Tender Grass; He Leadeth ...
... friend, and in communion He becomes the actual spiritual food of our souls. ... mass
is the perpetuation of the sacrifice He offered long ago for our redemption. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/callan/the shepherd of my soul/iv he maketh me to.htm

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