Basic Doctrines


The work of Christ on the cross is:
  1. Punitive. It was a payment, a judgment. Jesus took on Himself the judgment for all sin (Gal 3:13; 2Co 5:21).
  2. Substitutionary. Jesus Christ died in our place. Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be wounded for our iniquities and bruised for our transgressions (Isa 53:5–6; Lev 1:4; 2Co 5:21; 1Pe 2:24).
  3. Voluntary. Jesus knew the plan of the Father and He went willingly to the cross (Joh 10:18). Isaiah says that He set His “face like flint” (Isa 50:7).
  4. Redemptive. “Redeem” is exagorazo. Agorazo means “to buy in the slavemarket.” Ek means “out.” When Jesus Christ entered this world, we were in the slave market of sin. He walked in, paid the price for all of us, and opened the gate so all who wanted to could go free (Gal 3:13, Gal 4:5).
  5. Propitiatory. It satisfied God’s righteous demand for a perfect sacrifice for sin; Christ was that perfect sacrifice (Rom 3:25; 1Jo 3:2).
  6. Reconciling. By it we are restored to a relationship of peace with God (Rom 5:1).
  7. Efficacious. It is effective. When anyone puts faith in the work of Jesus Christ on the cross, that work accomplishes his salvation (Rom 5:9; 2Co 5:21; Eph 2:13; Heb 9:11-12).
  8. Revelatory. It reveals much about God—His love, His compassion, His mercy and grace, His condescension, and more (Joh 3:16; Rom 5:8; 1Jo 4:9–10).


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