Topical Bible: The Death of Christ: Emblematical of the Death to Sin

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Topical Encyclopedia

The death of Jesus Christ on the cross is a central tenet of Christian theology, symbolizing not only the atonement for humanity's sins but also serving as an emblem of the believer's death to sin. This concept is deeply rooted in the New Testament and is pivotal for understanding the transformative power of Christ's sacrifice.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle Paul articulates the connection between Christ's death and the believer's death to sin in several of his epistles. In Romans 6:6-7 , Paul writes, "We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. For anyone who has died has been freed from sin." Here, Paul emphasizes that through Christ's crucifixion, believers are symbolically crucified with Him, leading to liberation from the dominion of sin.

Similarly, in Galatians 2:20 , Paul declares, "I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." This passage underscores the transformative aspect of Christ's death, where the believer's old sinful nature is put to death, allowing Christ to live within them.

Theological Implications

The death of Christ as an emblem of the believer's death to sin carries profound theological implications. It signifies a decisive break from the past life of sin and the beginning of a new life in Christ. This transformation is not merely symbolic but is expected to manifest in the believer's conduct and lifestyle. As Paul exhorts in Romans 6:11 , "So you too must count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus."

This death to sin is not achieved through human effort but through union with Christ. The believer's identification with Christ's death and resurrection is a work of divine grace, enabling them to live a life that reflects the righteousness of God. In Colossians 3:3 , Paul reiterates, "For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."

Practical Application

The emblematical nature of Christ's death calls believers to a life of holiness and sanctification. It is a call to reject sinful behaviors and to embrace a life that is pleasing to God. In Ephesians 4:22-24 , Paul instructs believers to "put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

The death of Christ, therefore, is not only a historical event but a present reality that empowers believers to live victoriously over sin. It is a continual process of dying to self and living for Christ, as expressed in 2 Corinthians 5:15 : "And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again."

Conclusion

The death of Christ as an emblem of the believer's death to sin is a profound mystery that encapsulates the essence of the Christian faith. It is a call to a radical transformation, a new identity in Christ, and a life dedicated to the glory of God. Through the power of the cross, believers are invited to experience the freedom and victory that comes from being dead to sin and alive in Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 6:3-8
Know you not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Christ Crucified and Buried.
... The burial in the water is emblematical of the Lord's death and burial, and "we
are buried by baptism into death," while the ... The death of Christ seems to ...
/.../the new testament commentary vol iii john/christ crucified and buried.htm

The Four Gospels.
... with or without the angel-wings; 5th, the combination of the emblematical animal
with the ... Christ, his fourfold acts displaying. ... Lion - having death defeated; ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 78 the four gospels.htm

On the Words, Crucified and Buried.
... I have nerved My disciples against death for truth's ... not one of the things concerning
Christ would be ... find, but shewing that the emblematical curse extended to ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xiii on the words.htm

Israel in Egypt
... OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL AS EMBLEMATICAL OF OUR ... period of the latter days, when
Christ shall reign ... lies another, all frozen, in ghastly death, in motionless ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/israel in egypt.htm

The True Tabernacle, and Its Glory of Grace and Peace
... When it came to His death, which was the pouring ... of God are yea and Amen in Christ
Jesus." Verily ... given by Moses was but symbolical and emblematical; but Jesus ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/the true tabernacle and its.htm

section second.
... in his death,"the ignominious and agonizing death of the ... differed from the Jews to
whom Christ spoke in ... of his faith (Romans 4:11); and emblematical of that ...
/.../the epistle of paul to the philippians practically explained/section second.htm

Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals.
... The "four living creatures""emblematical of the ministers of the gospel ... the Holy
Ghost, that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter xi covenanting enforced by.htm

Manner of Covenanting.
... Both signified his death, and the opening up thereby ... with God, as made known in Christ,
reconciling the ... that the service was an emblematical representation of ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter ii manner of covenanting.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... and parting the hoof, he conceived to be emblematical of our ... troubled at their losses,
even at the death of the ... and so every saved soul, is Christ's love, even ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... Sin has delivered us up to the just curse of a righteous law; now, from this ... who
came and stood in your place and stead, and died your death for your ... CHRIST. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm