Redemption

Dear Brethren,

What does "redemption" mean?  "Redemption" is a difficult word that is often misused.  We need to understand the Biblical concept of "redemption", if we are to comprehend what the Scriptures are telling us.  Sure, everyone has heard the word. It is one of those religious words that evangelists use all the time – but what does it really mean in the Bible?  The word, "redemption",  is used too easily and too freely by many, without a good appreciation for what “redemption” means.

Let's consider some of the aspects of the concept of redemption:  Who or what needs to be redeemed?  What are we redeemed from? What are we redeemed to?  What is the price of the redemption?  Is there a debt owed to the one who has done the redeeming?  What duty or responsibility is then owed or due to the redeemer?  We need to know.

When Jesus first began to explain to Moses how He was going to deliver Israel from Egypt, He explained:  "Wherefore say unto the children of Israel,  I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments. "  (Exodus 6:6)

Under the terms of the New Covenant, Christians are also redeemed - this time from eternal death. "In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." (Ephesians 1:7) The concept of redemption that we find in the Scriptures is Christ's full and satisfactory payment for our sins – which are transgressions of the law that call for our death penalty (Romans 6:23, 1John 3:4).

"In whom [Jesus] we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:14) "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." (1Peter 1:18-19)

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Sermon: "Two Men and a Message"
(A sermon about Redemption)
 

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