Here are some common words that every Christian should know and understand, when it comes to salvation.
Sacrifice: Jesus Christ’s death was a sacrifice for sin.
Hebrews 9:22b-Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
In the sacrificial system of the Jewish nation, there were thousands and thousands of innocent animals sacrificed every year, for the sins of the people. However, according to the Scriptures, there was a problem with that system.
Hebrews 10:4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
Therefore, in Jesus Christ, believers have the sacrifice which actually does take away sin; fully and finally.
Substitution: Jesus Christ came and died as a substitute for the sins of believer’s, paying the penalty that we rightly deserve to pay, dying in the place of us, and becoming the curse for us. Which is to say, “Everything we rightly deserve for sinning against God, was willingly taken by the perfect Son of God.”
Redemption: The giving of Christ’s life as the payment of the price needed to secure our release from the bondage, guilt, and slave market of sin. Now, if there is redemption, then there must be a Redeemer. And the very concept of Jesus being one’s Redeemer entails the fact the Jesus is Lord, and because He is Lord, He has lordship, ownership, and rightful rulership over the lives of His people. And why? Because He actually bought us.
Propitiation: Refers to the appeasement or satisfaction of God’s wrath against sin that occurs by virtue of Christ’s payment for the sin and guilt of His people. In short, it is the appeasement of God’s wrath and the satisfaction of God’s justice against sin. Which is to say, God is wrathful toward us in our sin. Many people who are inclined to think exclusively of God as a God of love, do not accept the notion that God is the God of wrath, but, we have good biblical reason for affirming that this is the case.
Psalm7: 11 God is a just judge, And God is angry with the wicked every day.
Therefore, because of Christ’s work on the cross, He is both the just and the justifier.
Expiation: Means that the believer’s liability or responsibility to suffer sin’s penalty is removed because of the death of Christ. Expiation then eliminates the necessity of the believer to pay the penalty for their own sin. And the biblical payment for our own sin would require our eternal punishment. So then, Jesus Christ by His death propitiates the wrath of God and expiates His people. Therefore, the true believer can rightly say, “Dept cancelled, paid for in full.” And a life lived in thanksgiving and obedience will flow from that.
Reconciliation: May it be said, that every single person who has ever lived has a relationship with God, but for the non-believer, it’s just not a very good one. The reason is, every non-believer is estranged and alienated from God. In reconciliation, the two parties who had been at war with each other, now have a renewed relationship of peace and acceptance. And may we never forget, God was the innocent party in the relationship. He never committed a single offense towards any of us, yet we have offended Him often. Nonetheless, He is the one who provides the basis by which this alienation between God and man can be removed, by sending His Son. That those who believe may by reconciled to God, through the blood of Christ.
I pray that this helps as you share the glorious gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
By Daniel C. Rodgers