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◄ Redemption: Man Cannot Effect►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Redemption, in the biblical context, refers to the act of being saved from sin, error, or evil. It is a central theme in Christian theology, emphasizing the deliverance from the bondage of sin and the restoration of a right relationship with God. The concept of redemption underscores the belief that humanity, due to its fallen nature, is incapable of effecting its own salvation and must rely entirely on divine intervention.

The Nature of Sin and Human Inability

The Bible presents sin as a pervasive and corrupting force that separates humanity from God. InRomans 3:23, the Apostle Paul declares, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." This universal condition of sinfulness renders humanity incapable of achieving righteousness through its own efforts.Isaiah 64:6 further illustrates this by stating, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags."

The inherent inability of humans to redeem themselves is rooted in the spiritual death that sin brings.Ephesians 2:1-2 describes this state: "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world." Spiritual death implies a complete incapacity to initiate or effect one's own redemption.

Divine Initiative in Redemption

Given humanity's inability to redeem itself, the Bible emphasizes that redemption is solely the work of God. InEphesians 2:8-9, Paul writes, "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 passage highlights that salvation is a divine gift, not a human achievement.

The Old Testament foreshadows this divine initiative through the sacrificial system, which points to the necessity of atonement for sin. However, these sacrifices were insufficient for complete redemption, as noted inHebrews 10:4: "It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins." This insufficiency underscores the need for a perfect and ultimate sacrifice.

Christ as the Redeemer

The New Testament reveals Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. InJohn 1:29, John the Baptist proclaims, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" Jesus, through His sacrificial death and resurrection, accomplishes what humanity could not.1 Peter 1:18-19 affirms this: "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed... but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect."

Christ's redemptive work is complete and sufficient, as He declared on the cross, "It is finished" (John 19:30). This statement signifies the completion of the work necessary for human redemption, a work that only God could accomplish.

Faith and Acceptance

While redemption is entirely the work of God, the Bible teaches that individuals must respond in faith to receive its benefits.Romans 10:9-10 states, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." This response of faith is not a work that earns salvation but an acceptance of the gift already provided by God.

In summary, the biblical doctrine of redemption underscores the incapacity of humanity to effect its own salvation. It is a divine act, accomplished through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and received by faith.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 49:7
None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

ParticularRedemption
... fire, there was a true and real aredemption made as... Wecannot so belie our reason
as to think that the... intention of saving "a multitude which noman can number...

On the Effects of theRedemption
... Thus theredemption had two effects, namely, to satisfy God for the offense offered
Him by the sins of men... Aman who curses only once a yearcannot be said...

Redemption forMan Lost to be Sought in Christ.
...REDEMPTION FORMAN LOST TO BE SOUGHT IN CHRIST.... of thy right hand, upon the Son of
man, whom thou... it is abundantly plain, that as the Lordcannot be propitious...

Sons and Heirs
... ifredemption be the change of position in reference to God's love and God's law
as well, neither of these two changes can aman effect for himself. Youcannot...

Book 2
... Ceremonial Law is repealed, itseffect is perpetual... his jealousy, for hecannot bear
a... his people righteousness, sanctification, andredemption;Man, because he...

The Cause and theEffect
... done this, or that, in the work of ourredemption, quite apart... It may come to aman
in a moment, as a... into the secret chamber, can feel it, butcannot tell it...

God's Will andMan's Will
... which will we are sanctified." So that theredemption offered up... is about our new
birth, and here wecannot allow of... the flesh, nor of the will ofman, but of...

The OldMan and the NewMan of St. Paul Explained.
...man or entirely the new, for wecannot tell how... as follows: "Putting away lying,
speak everyman truth with... whereby ye are sealed unto the day ofredemption....

Letter i. My Dear Friend, I Employed the Compelled and Most...
... its origin in God: Chaos spirituale:- [Greek text whichcannot be reproduced... and
earth by the Redemptive Word:- the Apostasy ofMan:- theRedemption ofMan...

Natural or Spiritual?
... Butcannot anotherman help us out of... R's came out clearly"Ruin, Regeneration, and
Redemption!Man ruined, wholly ruined, hopelessly helplessly, eternally...