Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical theology, the concept of a substitute is deeply rooted in the narrative of redemption and atonement. The idea of substitution is central to understanding the sacrificial system of the Old Testament and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ in the New Testament.
Old Testament ContextThe notion of a substitute is first introduced in the sacrificial system established by God for the Israelites. In this system, animals were offered as substitutes for 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." Here, the life of the animal serves as a substitute for the life of the sinner, symbolizing the transfer of guilt and the appeasement of divine justice.
The Passover lamb is another significant example of substitution. In
Exodus 12, God instructs the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb and apply its blood to their doorposts. This act served as a substitute, sparing the firstborn of Israel from the plague of death that struck Egypt. The lamb's death in place of the firstborn prefigures the ultimate substitutionary sacrifice of Christ.
New Testament FulfillmentThe New Testament reveals Jesus Christ as the ultimate substitute for humanity's sin. John the Baptist identifies Jesus as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (
John 1:29). This declaration points to Jesus as the fulfillment of the sacrificial system, offering Himself as the perfect and final substitute.
The Apostle Paul expounds on this theme in
2 Corinthians 5:21 : "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." Here, the substitutionary nature of Christ's atonement is evident. Jesus, who was sinless, took upon Himself the sins of humanity, offering His life as a substitute to satisfy the demands of God's justice.
In
Romans 5:8 , Paul further emphasizes the substitutionary love of Christ: "But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." The death of Christ is portrayed as a substitutionary act of love, where He willingly takes the place of sinners, bearing the penalty they deserved.
Theological ImplicationsThe doctrine of substitution is foundational to the Christian understanding of salvation. It underscores the gravity of sin, the holiness of God, and the necessity of atonement. Through the substitutionary death of Christ, believers are reconciled to God, justified, and granted eternal life.
The concept of substitution also highlights the grace and mercy of God. While humanity was incapable of atoning for its own sin, God provided a substitute in Jesus Christ, demonstrating His love and commitment to redeeming His creation.
Practical ApplicationFor believers, the doctrine of substitution calls for a response of faith and gratitude. Recognizing the magnitude of Christ's sacrifice should inspire a life of obedience, worship, and service. It also serves as a reminder of the believer's identity in Christ, who bore their sins and granted them His righteousness.
In summary, the biblical concept of a substitute is a profound expression of God's redemptive plan, culminating in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. Through His substitutionary atonement, believers are offered forgiveness, reconciliation, and the hope of eternal life.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) One who, or that which, is substituted or put in the place of another; one who acts for another; that which stands in lieu of something else
2. (n.) a person who enlists for military service in the place of a conscript or drafted man.
3. (n.) To put in the place of another person or thing; to exchange.
Greek
473. anti -- over against, opposite, hence instead of, in comp....... an-tee') Short Definition: instead of, for Definition: (a) instead of, in return
for, over against, opposite, in exchange for, as a
substitute for, (b) on my
...Strong's Hebrew
8545. temurah -- exchange, recompense... 8544, 8545. temurah. 8546 . exchange, recompense. Transliteration: temurah
Phonetic Spelling: (tem-oo-raw') Short Definition:
substitute.
...7760. sum -- to put, place, set
... 1), seized* (2), serve (1), served (1), set (108), sets (3), shave* (1), shed (1),
show (1), station (1), stationed (3), steadily (1),substitute (2), surely...
Library
Christ --OurSubstitute
... Christ"OurSubstitute. A Sermon (No.310). Delivered on Sabbath Evening, April 15th,
1860, by the. REV. CH SPURGEON.... I. First, THE SINLESSNESS OF THESUBSTITUTE....
The Person and Work of theSubstitute
... CHAPTER VI. THE PERSON AND WORK OF THESUBSTITUTE.... But we have something more to
learn concerning him who lived and died as the sinner'ssubstitute....
All the Principles of Piety Subverted by Fanatics, whoSubstitute...
... BOOK FIRST. OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD THE CREATOR CHAPTER 9. ALL THE PRINCIPLES OF
PIETY SUBVERTED BY FANATICS, WHOSUBSTITUTE REVELATIONS FOR SCRIPTURE....
Death and Life in Christ
... offerings, and the persons of his people. Nor did he die as a victim only.
He died as asubstitute. We were drawn as soldiers for the...
On the Atonement.
... It may accept asubstitute, provided it be equally effective to the support
of law and the ensuring of obedience. Public justice, then....
Virtue. October 4.
... Virtue. October 4. Nothing, nothing can be asubstitute for purity and
virtue. Man will always try to find substitutes for it. He...
Modern Revivals.
... Now, from these words, and others in the same chapters, two things are plain: First,
that the Comforter came as Christ'ssubstitute; Secondly, that He came to...
David's Weakness
... That physical prowess is asubstitute for virtue is certainly no new doctrine....
Nothing, nothing, can be asubstitute for purity and virtue....
Expiation
... II. Now, the second matter that I wish to bring under your notice is this,"THAT
THE PROVISION AND ACCEPTANCE OF ASUBSTITUTE FOR SINNERS IS AN ACT OF GRACE....
Baptism --A Burial
... Our Lord Jesus is thesubstitute for his people, and when he died it was on their
behalf and in their stead.... Do we not gladly accept Jesus as oursubstitute?...
Thesaurus
Substitute (3 Occurrences)... 3. (n.) To put in the place of another person or thing; to exchange.
Multi-Version Concordance
Substitute (3 Occurrences). Leviticus
...Deputy (7 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) One appointed as thesubstitute of another, and empowered to act for him,
in his name or his behalf; asubstitute in office; a lieutenant; a...
Supply (40 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To fill temporarily; to serve assubstitute for another in, as a vacant
place or office; to occupy; to have possession of; as, to supply a pulpit....
Paraclete
... is expedient that He go away, for unless He go away the Paraclete will not come
(John 16:7). Is the Paraclete, then, the successor or thesubstitute for Christ...
Redeemer (42 Occurrences)
... If their idea was that asubstitute for sinners must be furnished, the idea
included the thought of God as Himself providing asubstitute....
Redemption (46 Occurrences)
... If their idea was that asubstitute for sinners must be furnished, the idea
included the thought of God as Himself providing asubstitute....
Nazarene (19 Occurrences)
... Nor is permissible, as has been done by Tertullian and Jerome, tosubstitute the
word "Nazarite" for "Nazarene," which in every view of the case is contrary to...
Old (3966 Occurrences)
... history, and new theology have all quarreled with or rejected it on various grounds,
without providing the smallest approach to a satisfactorysubstitute....
Oracle (57 Occurrences)
... the Revised Version margin of such passages as Isaiah 13:1, "oracle" is used in
the titles of certain special prophecies as asubstitute for BURDEN (which see...
Jareb (2 Occurrences)
... He wouldsubstitute "Israel" for "Judah" as warranted by Hosea 12:2, insert "Israel"
before "sent," change 'ashshur,"Assyria," into mitstsur, the North Arabian...
Resources
What is the doctrine of substitution? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the substitutionary atonement? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of Hashem? | GotQuestions.orgSubstitute: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
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