Topical Encyclopedia
RedemptionRedemption in the biblical context refers to the act of God delivering His people from sin and its consequences through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The concept of redemption is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where it often involves the idea of a kinsman-redeemer, as seen in the Book of Ruth. The Hebrew word "ga'al" signifies the act of a family member buying back or restoring a relative's property or freedom. This concept is vividly illustrated in the account of Boaz, who redeems Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi (
Ruth 4:9-10).
In the New Testament, redemption takes on a more profound spiritual significance. Jesus Christ is portrayed as the ultimate Redeemer who pays the price for humanity's sins. The Apostle Paul writes, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace" (
Ephesians 1:7). This redemption is not merely a release from physical bondage but a liberation from the spiritual bondage of sin and death.
The price of redemption is the blood of Christ, as emphasized 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 handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect" . This sacrificial act fulfills the Old Testament sacrificial system, where the blood of animals temporarily atoned for sin, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus.
SalvationSalvation is the deliverance from sin and its eternal consequences, granted by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. It is a central theme of the Christian faith, encompassing the past, present, and future aspects of a believer's relationship with God.
The need for salvation arises from the universal problem of sin, as stated in
Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" . Sin separates humanity from God, and the penalty for sin is death (
Romans 6:23). However, God's love and mercy provide a way of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Salvation is initiated by God's grace, as
Ephesians 2:8-9 declares: "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast" . This grace is made manifest in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, who offers salvation to all who believe in Him.
The process of salvation involves several key elements:
1.
Justification: This is the act of God declaring a sinner righteous on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1 states, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" .
2.
Sanctification: This is the ongoing process of being made holy, where believers are gradually conformed to the image of Christ.
Philippians 2:12-13 encourages believers to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose" .
3.
Glorification: This future aspect of salvation refers to the ultimate transformation of believers into the likeness of Christ, free from sin and death.
Romans 8:30 assures, "And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified" .
Salvation is both a present reality and a future hope. Believers are saved from the penalty of sin, are being saved from the power of sin, and will be saved from the presence of sin. This comprehensive salvation is available to all who call upon the name of the Lord, as promised in
Romans 10:13: "For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" .
