Topical Bible: Redemption: They Who Partake of Have an Earnest of the Completion of

◄ Redemption: They Who Partake of Have an Earnest of the Completion of ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Redemption, in the Christian theological context, refers to the deliverance from sin and its consequences, achieved through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This concept is central to Christian doctrine, emphasizing the transformative power of Christ's atonement and the believer's journey towards complete salvation.

Biblical Foundation

The New Testament provides a robust framework for understanding redemption. In Ephesians 1:13-14 , the Apostle Paul writes, "And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory." Here, the Holy Spirit is described as a "pledge" or "earnest" of the believer's inheritance, signifying a guarantee of the full redemption to come.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the believer's experience of redemption. As the "earnest" or down payment, the Holy Spirit assures believers of their future inheritance in Christ. This assurance is not merely a passive promise but an active, transformative presence in the believer's life. Romans 8:23 states, "Not only that, 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 passage highlights the tension between the present experience of redemption and the future completion of it.

Present and Future Aspects

Redemption is both a present reality and a future hope. In the present, believers experience redemption through the forgiveness of sins and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Colossians 1:13-14 affirms, "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 present aspect of redemption is a foretaste of the complete redemption that will be realized in the eschaton.

The future aspect of redemption involves the full realization of God's promises, including the resurrection of the body and eternal life with God. In 1 Corinthians 15:52-54 , Paul describes the transformation that will occur at the last trumpet: "For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality."

The Assurance of Completion

The assurance of the completion of redemption is rooted in the faithfulness of God. Philippians 1:6 provides comfort and confidence: "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." This assurance is not based on human effort but on the divine promise and power of God to bring His work to completion.

Living in the Light of Redemption

Believers are called to live in the light of their redemption, reflecting the transformative power of Christ in their lives. Titus 2:11-14 instructs, "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age, as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ."

In summary, redemption is a dynamic and multifaceted concept in Christian theology, encompassing both the present experience of salvation and the future hope of complete restoration. The Holy Spirit serves as the earnest of this redemption, providing believers with assurance and empowering them to live in accordance with their calling.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 1:14
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of his glory.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Corinthians 1:22
Who has also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

God's Love for a Sinning World
... But of these riches none can partake till they shall ... not pay too much for the soul's
redemption"not a ... If anybody had seen you they would have wondered what ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/sermons on gospel themes/i gods love for a.htm

On the Ten Points of Doctrine.
... of the weakness of their bodies partake of food ... Other readings are lutron metanoias,
"redemption by repentance ... they called "Apocryphal," which they would not ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture iv on the ten.htm

The Resemblance Between the Old Testament and the New.
... earnest of our inheritance unto the redemption of the ... the Supper of which you daily
partake, have excellent promises ... appeared upon the earth, if they had not ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 10 the resemblance between.htm

Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews.
... in our souls, [2764]444; many partake once or ... once in translating Enoch undying,
[2913]ib.; they who attribute ... Honor, [2947]517; gift of Redemption enhanced by ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homilies on the epistle to.htm

The Priesthood of Christ
... to the application, saying, "In Christ WE HAVE REDEMPTION through his ... he willed that
we should likewise partake of the ... our sacrifices, that by him they may be ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/oration iv the priesthood of.htm

The Gentile Christian Theology. Paul and the Gospel of Faith.
... on condition of faith by which we partake of his ... our sins, and thus effected our
redemption (apolutrosis), as ... They rise far above the older rationalism in an ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 71 the gentile christian.htm

Of the Sacraments.
... to all, and destruction to none who partake of it ... In regard to our sacraments, they
present Christ the ... have an evidence of purification and redemption, but the ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 of the sacraments.htm

On Reconciling Religious Dissensions among Christians
... who love Christ and his Church, will partake with me ... Matthew 23:4,) for whose redemption
votive offerings ... piety, as rendered it improbable that they could ever ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/oration v on reconciling religious.htm

Period I: the Imperial State Church of the Undivided Empire, or ...
... Constantine was carried to its logical completion in the ... the relation of Jesus to
redemption, and they ... And the novelties which they have invented and put forth ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period i the imperial state.htm

The Form of Concord, Concluded.
... his sense of sin, his longing for redemption and for ... may, nevertheless (by derivation
and dependency), partake of the ... Let them hold fast to what they agree in ...
/.../creeds of christendom with a history and critical notes/ 46 the form of.htm