Our Salvation Finished at the Cross
Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross to save mankind, as the Bible says? Some people say he did not actually die on the cross. Others teach that his death on the cross was inadequate for the atonement of man’s sins. However, we should know specifically what the Bible says, as the “inspired” Word of God (2 Timothy 2:16-17).
Bible Apostles and Early Church Fathers said Jesus’ death on the cross atoned for the sins of mankind. But they also said that many deny the atonement of Jesus on the cross.
Eyewitness disciples of Jesus taught that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came in the flesh and died as an atonement for the sins of mankind (1 John 4:10; 5:5-6; 2 Peter 2:1). The disciple John, in agreement with other disciples, warned that many deceivers, who do not acknowledge that Jesus Christ came in the flesh and died for man’s sin, have gone out into the world. Such deceivers were referred to as being of “the spirit of the antichrist” (1 John 4:3; 2 John:7; Ephesians 6:12).
Early Church Fathers, like Ignatius,Tertullian and Iraenaeus, believed and taught that the death of Jesus on the cross atoned for the sins of mankind. They opposed those who were antichrist, and also called them gnostics.The Church Fathers said that in the antichrist gnostics’ attempt to deny the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, they went as far as saying Jesus did not actually die in the flesh on the cross. Antichrist gnostics said that what appeared to be Jesus on the cross was really a phantom.
The Bible today affirms that Jesus Christ’s death on the cross finished God’s plan of salvation for mankind. Nevertheless, some still claim that Jesus’ death on the cross was inadequate for the salvation of mankind.
- He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:5).
- Without the shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ there is no remission of sin (Hebrews 9:11-22).
- Jesus partook of “flesh and blood” that he might destroy the power of the devil (Hebrews 2:14).
- In offering the cup of wine that represented his blood, Jesus said “this is my blood, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” He said this before going to the cross to die for man’s sins. (Matthew 26:27-28).
- While being crucified, Jesus told a dying criminal, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
- Having shed his blood on the cross for the salvation of man and at the point of death, Jesus said “it is finished” (John 19:30).
- Having finished God’s plan of salvation, Jesus cried out, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46).
- At the moment Jesus died on the cross, the curtain in the temple in Jerusalem, representing separation between God and man, was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:50-51).
- Because of the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross we are able to “enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19).
Some unbiblical statements by popular religious teachers are reported below about the insufficiency of the atonement of Jesus Christ’s death on the cross.
These unbiblical statements were reported In an article, “Did Jesus Die Spiritual?”, by Matt Slick, President and Founder of Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry:
Joyce Meyer:
“Jesus paid for our sins on the cross and went to hell in our place.”
“Jesus went to hell because that is where we deserved to go…There is no hope of anyone going to heaven unless they believe this truth.”
“He went to hell in our place and gained victory there, triumphing over the enemy.”
Kenneth Copland:
“Not only did Jesus go to hell, He sank to the deepest, darkest part of it to suffer everything that was necessary on our behalf.”
“Had he not gone to hell, we would have to go.”
“Jesus went to hell to free mankind from the penalty of Adam’s treason…when his blood poured out it did not atone.”
Frederick K. Price:
“Do you think that the punishment for our sins was to die on the cross?…No, the punishment was to go into hell itself and to serve time in hell separated from God.”
Kenneth Hagin:
“He tasted spiritual death for every man.He died on th Cross and took our place in spiritual death. His spirit, His inner man, went to hell in our place.”
We ought to believe the Bible: Our salvation was finished at the cross.
Like the early antichrist denial of Jesus’ death on the cross, recent denial of the efficacy of the atoning blood of Jesus on the cross for the sins of mankind is contrary to overall scriptures of the Bible. The antichrist spirit of the devil works through many human agents, in seeking to negate or cause doubt in the atoning effect of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross.
However, we ought to believe what the Bible says about our salvation being finished at the cross. Our salvation and the salvation of other people depend on what we believe and teach (Hebrews 9:22; John 3:16-18).
