Introduction

The concept of redemption through the blood of Christ is a central tenet of Christian theology, emphasizing the sacrificial death of Jesus as the means by which humanity is reconciled to God. This doctrine is rooted in the belief that sin separates humanity from God, and only through the shedding of blood can atonement be made. The New Testament, particularly the writings of Paul and the author of Hebrews, elaborates on this theme, presenting Christ's sacrifice as the fulfillment of Old Testament sacrificial systems.

Biblical Foundation

The necessity of blood for atonement is established in the Old Testament, where the sacrificial system required the shedding of animal blood to cover the sins of the people. 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." This principle is carried into the New Testament, where the blood of Christ is presented as the ultimate and final sacrifice.

The Sacrifice of Christ

The New Testament explicitly connects redemption to the blood of Christ. In Ephesians 1:7, Paul writes, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace." This passage highlights the grace of God in providing redemption through the sacrificial death of Jesus. Similarly, Colossians 1:20 states, "and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross."

The author of Hebrews further expounds on the superiority of Christ's sacrifice over the Old Testament sacrifices. Hebrews 9:12 declares, "He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption." This verse underscores the sufficiency and finality of Christ's atoning work.

Theological Implications

The doctrine of redemption by the blood of Christ carries profound theological implications. It affirms the seriousness of sin and the holiness of God, who requires a perfect sacrifice for atonement. The blood of Christ is seen as the means by which believers are justified, sanctified, and ultimately glorified. Romans 5:9 states, "Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him!"

Furthermore, the blood of Christ is central to the New Covenant, as Jesus Himself declared during the Last Supper. In Matthew 26:28, He said, "This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." This establishes the blood of Christ as the foundation of the believer's relationship with God under the New Covenant.

Practical Application

For believers, the redemption through Christ's blood is not only a theological truth but also a source of assurance and hope. It assures them of their forgiveness and acceptance before God, as well as their deliverance from the power of sin. Revelation 12:11 speaks to the victory believers have through Christ's blood: "They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony."

The understanding of redemption by the blood of Christ also calls believers to live lives of gratitude and holiness, recognizing the cost of their redemption. 1 Peter 1:18-19 exhorts, "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 handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect."

Conclusion

The doctrine of redemption by the blood of Christ is a cornerstone of Christian faith, emphasizing the sacrificial love of God and the profound cost of human salvation. Through the blood of Christ, believers find forgiveness, reconciliation, and eternal life, living in the hope and assurance of their redemption.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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 9:12
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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Peter 1:19
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 5:9
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;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby
... THE DEATH OF CHRIST, AND THE REDEMPTION OF MEN THEREBY. ... a Church composed of believers,
the foundation of which is laid in the blood of christ; which may ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/synod of dort/the death of christ and.htm

Christ the Redeemer
... Augustine. Faith itself is not able fully to comprehend this reward. All this
blessedness has Christ purchased through the redemption of his blood. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/8 christ the redeemer.htm

In the Work of the Redemption of Man, not Only the Mercy, but Also ...
... In the work of the Redemption of man, not only the mercy, but also the justice ... be
sin in the seed of the sinner and not righteousness in the blood of Christ? ...
/.../some letters of saint bernard abbot of clairvaux/chapter vi in the work.htm

Redemption through Blood, the Gracious Forgiveness of Sins
... The death of Christ, the redemption by blood, instead of veiling the grace of
God, only manifests it. Put the thing before your own minds. ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/redemption through blood the gracious.htm

Fifth Sunday in Lent
... once for all into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption.13 For ... cleanness
of the flesh: 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fifth sunday in lent.htm

Note G. 'Freed' and 'Possessed' --The Twofold Result of Redemption ...
... That is redemption, and that only; that is liberty, and that is reality ... that they
may serve me." You are free, free through the blood of Christ, free through ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/murray/holy in christ/note g freed and possessedthe.htm

Full Redemption
... I would not say, with some of the early Fathers, that a single drop of Christ's
blood would have been sufficient for the redemption of the world. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/full redemption.htm

Christ Has Died for all Men and for Every Individual.
... With respect both to the magnitude and potency of the price, and with respect to
the one general cause of mankind, the blood of Christ is the redemption of the ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/article xii christ has died.htm

Christ Rightly and Properly Said to have Merited Grace and ...
... Paul commends the grace of God, in that he gave the price of redemption in the death
of Christ; and he exhorts us to flee to his blood, that having obtained ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 17 christ rightly and.htm

On Christ
... 8. Is not the redemption which has been obtained by the blood of Christ, common
to every man in particular, according to the love and affection of God by which ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/on christ.htm

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