I have a challenge. Please read carefully the following, and then answer the concluding questions using Scripture only as the basis for your answers.
1 Peter 1:18,
19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
2:24,25 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray;
but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls
3:18 ¶ For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust,
that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.
1 Cor. 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures
In light of the above scriptures, and many more such besides,(
Rom. 3:25,
26.
5:8,
9.
6:10.
Colossians 1:20-22.
Heb. 9:15,
16,
22.) my question is.....
When Jesus died upon the cross of Calvary, was this act a full and final settlement of the debt we owe due to our sin? In other words, has the full redemption price been paid, and what was that price?
When Jesus died upon the cross of Calvary, His act was indeed a full and final settlement of the debt we owe due to our sin. The full redemption price has been paid through His sacrificial death. Let's examine the Scriptures provided and additional ones to confirm this conclusion.
1. Full and Final Settlement of the Debt
1 Peter 1:18-19:
"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."
This passage emphasizes that believers are redeemed not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ. The imagery of Christ as a lamb without blemish and spot echoes the Old Testament sacrificial system, where a spotless lamb was required for atonement, pointing to the final and perfect sacrifice of Jesus.
1 Peter 2:24-25:
"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."
Jesus bore our sins in His body on the cross, fulfilling the role of the sin-bearer. This act leads to our spiritual healing and restoration to God, indicating the completeness of His atoning work.
1 Peter 3:18:
"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit."
Jesus' suffering was a one-time, sufficient act for sins. The just (Jesus) suffered for the unjust (us) to bring us to God, indicating the sufficiency and finality of His sacrifice.
2. Redemption Price and Its Completeness
1 Corinthians 15:3-4:
"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."
These verses affirm that Christ's death, burial, and resurrection were in accordance with the Scriptures, fulfilling God's redemptive plan.
Additional Scriptures:
Romans 3:25-26:
"Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."
Jesus is presented as a propitiation by His blood. Propitiation refers to the satisfaction of God's wrath against sin, signifying the completeness of His atoning work.
Romans 5:8-9:
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."
Justification by His blood and salvation from wrath underscore the effectiveness and sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice.
Colossians 1:20-22:
"And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight."
Peace and reconciliation through the blood of the cross indicate the completeness of the redemptive work.
Hebrews 9:15-16, 22:
"And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator."
"And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."
The necessity of Jesus' death for redemption and the requirement of blood for forgiveness underline the finality of His sacrifice.
Conclusion:
Yes, when Jesus died upon the cross of Calvary, it was a full and final settlement of the debt we owe due to our sin. The full redemption price has been paid, and that price was the precious blood of Christ. His once-for-all sacrifice on the cross satisfies the requirements for the forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and eternal salvation for those who believe.
The
price of our redemption, as consistently taught in Scripture, is the precious blood of Jesus Christ. This blood, shed on the cross, serves as the ultimate and final sacrifice for sin, providing atonement, forgiveness, reconciliation, and eternal redemption for all who believe. This central tenet of Christian faith underscores the immense value and effectiveness of Jesus' sacrificial death in fulfilling God's redemptive plan.
In the New Testament, the Greek word often translated as "price" is τιμή (timē). This word and its cognates are used to convey the idea of value, honor, or the cost of something. Here’s an analysis of the word τιμή (timē) and its grammatical and morphological context:
Greek Analysis:
τιμή (timē)
Strong's Number: G5092
Meaning: Value, price, honor.
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine.
Usage in NT: The word is used to denote both the literal price of an object and the figurative price or value, such as honor or esteem.
Example in Context:
1 Corinthians 6:20:
Greek: "ἠγοράσθητε γὰρ τιμῆς· δοξάσατε δὴ τὸν θεὸν ἐν τῷ σώματι ὑμῶν."
Translation: "For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body."
Morphology:
ἠγοράσθητε (ēgorasthēte) - Verb, Aorist Passive Indicative, 2nd Person Plural (You were bought).
τιμῆς (timēs) - Noun, Genitive Singular Feminine (of a price).
1 Corinthians 7:23:
Greek: "τιμῆς ἠγοράσθητε, μὴ γίνεσθε δοῦλοι ἀνθρώπων."
Translation: "You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men."
Morphology:
τιμῆς (timēs) - Noun, Genitive Singular Feminine (of a price).
Understanding the Genitive Case:
The genitive case (τιμῆς) is often used to denote possession, origin, or, in this context, the price paid for something. It indicates the value or cost associated with the act of purchase or redemption.
The Concept of "Price" in Hebrew
In the Old Testament, the concept of price or value is often conveyed using words such as מְחִיר (mekhir) or כֶּסֶף (kesef) when referring to silver or money used as a price.
Hebrew Analysis:
מְחִיר (mekhir)
Strong's Number: H4242
Meaning: Price, value.
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine.
Usage in OT: This word is used to denote the price or cost of something, often in the context of trade or redemption.
כֶּסֶף (kesef)
Strong's Number: H3701
Meaning: Silver, money.
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine.
Usage in OT: Often used to denote money, particularly in terms of a price paid.
Example in Context:
Isaiah 55:1:
Hebrew: "הוֹי כָּל־צָמֵא לְכוּ לַמַּיִם וַאֲשֶׁר אֵין־לֹו כָּסֶף לְכוּ שִׁבְרוּ וֶאֱכֹלוּ וּלְכוּ שִׁבְרוּ בְּלוֹא כֶסֶף וּבְלוֹא מְחִיר יַיִן וְחָלָב."
Translation: "Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price."
Morphology:
כָּסֶף (kesef) - Noun, Masculine Singular (money).
מְחִיר (mekhir) - Noun, Masculine Singular (price).
Morphological and Grammatical Context
Greek Morphology:
τιμῆς (timēs) - This is the genitive singular form of τιμή (timē), showing possession or association. The word describes the value or cost involved, often used to denote the sacrificial price in the New Testament context, particularly relating to Jesus' redemptive work.
Hebrew Morphology:
מְחִיר (mekhir) - Typically appears in the singular form, indicating a specific price or value.
כֶּסֶף (kesef) - Also in singular form, referring to money or silver as a form of currency or price.
Conclusion:
The price of our redemption, as expressed in both Greek and Hebrew contexts, is the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ. The Greek term τιμή (timē) emphasizes the value or honor associated with the sacrificial act, while the Hebrew terms מְחִיר (mekhir) and כֶּסֶף (kesef) highlight the concept of a monetary or valuable price. These terms together underscore the profound cost and the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for the redemption of humanity.
