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God's Plan of Redemption Unveiled in Scripture

God's plan of redemption, a central theme throughout Scripture, describes the divine initiative to restore humanity and creation from the effects of sin [2, 3]. This plan is rooted in God's eternal purpose and is ultimately accomplished through Jesus Christ [2, 4]. The concept of redemption itself signifies the purchase back of something lost through the payment of a ransom [1].

The Old Testament introduces the idea of redemption through various types and prophecies. For instance, the Hebrew word lutron appears in the Septuagint (LXX) to describe instances of redemption between people, such as paying a price for release, and also in the context of humanity's relationship with God [1]. Psalm 111:9 declares, "He has sent redemption to his people. He has ordained his covenant forever. His name is holy and awesome!" [8]. Prophets like Isaiah foretold a coming salvation, which Matthew Henry interprets as the "great salvation wrought out by Jesus Christ" [12]. John Gill notes that Isaiah 1:27 speaks of Zion being "redeemed with judgment," emphasizing that redemption by Christ is the source of other blessings like justification, pardon, and conversion, and that it is spiritual in nature, delivering from the captivity of sin, Satan, and the law [13].

The New Testament explicitly reveals Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of this redemptive plan. The Greek word apolytrosis, meaning redemption, appears nine times in Scripture, consistently carrying the idea of a ransom or price paid [1]. Jesus himself stated that he came "to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45) [1]. The apostle Paul further clarifies that "in him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace" (Ephesians 1:7). This redemption is from the bondage of the law, the curse of the law, the power of sin, and all iniquity [3]. It is a deliverance from the present evil world and from vain conduct [3].

The core of God's redemptive plan is the atonement, which is explained in passages like Romans 5:8-11 and 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 [4]. The atonement was foreordained by God and foretold by prophets such as Isaiah and Daniel [4]. It was effected by Christ alone, who is presented as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29) [4]. The atonement was a voluntary act on Christ's part, demonstrating both the grace and mercy of God, and the profound love of God and Christ [4]. Through Christ's atoning sacrifice, God sent him "to be an atoning sacrifice, through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness through the passing over of prior sins, in God’s forbearance" (Romans 3:25) [9]. This act reconciles God's justice and mercy [4].

Reconciliation with God, a direct result of redemption and atonement, was predicted in Daniel 9:24 and Isaiah 53:5, and proclaimed by angels at Christ's birth (Luke 2:14) [6]. This reconciliation was effected by God in Christ, by Christ as High Priest, and specifically through the death and blood of Christ [6]. It was accomplished for humanity while they were alienated from God, without strength, and still sinners and enemies [6]. The ministry of reconciliation is entrusted to ministers of the gospel (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) [6].

A crucial element of God's redemptive plan is the resurrection of Christ. This is considered one of the "cardinal facts and doctrines of the gospel," without which Christian faith would be in vain (1 Corinthians 15:14) [5]. The entire New Testament revelation rests on the resurrection as an historical fact [5]. Peter argued for its necessity from Old Testament prophecy (Acts 2:24-28), and Jesus himself intimated his resurrection (Matthew 20:19; John 2:19-22) [5]. Christ's resurrection is understood as the "firstfruits" of a great harvest of God's people who will also be resurrected [15].

The scope of God's redemptive plan extends to salvation, which is entirely "of God" – of his purpose, appointment, and willingness [2]. It is accomplished "by Christ" and "by Christ alone" [2]. Salvation was announced immediately after the Fall (Genesis 3:15) and was predicted for both Israel and the Gentiles [2]. It is revealed through the gospel (Ephesians 1:13; 2 Timothy 1:10) [2]. God exalted Jesus to his right hand as "Leader and Savior to grant repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins" (Acts 5:31) [7]. Christ is the "Captain" and "Author" of salvation (Hebrews 2:10; 5:9) [2].

The plan of salvation, as revealed to Peter, was a "high point in the unfolding of God’s will for humanity" [10]. Christ himself "personifies this plan" [11]. John Gill emphasizes that redemption in Christ delivers believers from the captivity of sin, Satan, and the law, freeing them from the damning power of sin and its enslaving influence [16]. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown interpret Job 33:24, which speaks of God delivering or redeeming, as language that finds its full realization in the "eternal redemption found" by God through the price paid by Jesus Christ—his blood and meritorious intercession [14]. Paul's quotation of Psalm 68:18 in Ephesians 4:8, regarding Christ's ascension, further underscores his divine authority as the author of these redemptive gifts [17].

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Redemption — The purchase back of something that had been lost, by the payment of a ransom. The Greek word so rendered is apolutrosis, a word occurring nine times in Scripture, and always with the idea of a ransom or price paid, i.e., redemption by a lutron (see Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45). There are instances in the LXX. Version of the Old Testament of the use of lutron in man's relation to man (Lev. 19:20; 25:51; Ex. 21:30; Num. 35:31, 32; Isa. 45:13; Prov. 6:35), and in the same sense of man's relation to God (Num. 3:49; 18:15). There are many passages in the New Tes”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Salvation — Is of God -- Ps 3:8; 37:39; Jer 3:23. Is of the purpose of God -- 2Ti 1:9. Is of the appointment of God -- 1Th 5:9. God is willing to give -- 1Ti 2:4. Is by Christ -- Isa 63:9; Eph 5:23. Is by Christ alone -- Isa 45:21,22; 59:16; Ac 4:12. Announced after the fall -- Ge 3:15. Of Israel, predicted -- Isa 35:4; 45:17; Zec 9:16; Ro 11:26. Of the Gentiles, predicted -- Isa 45:22; 49:6; 52:10. Revealed in the gospel -- Eph 1:13; 2Ti 1:10. Came to the Gentiles through the fall of the Jews -- Ro 11:11. Christ The Captain of. -- Heb 2:10. The Author of. -- Heb 5:9”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Redemption — Defined -- 1Co 6:20; 7:23. Is of God -- Isa 44:21-23; 43:1; Lu 1:68. Is by Christ -- Mt 20:28; Ga 3:13. Is by the blood of Christ -- Ac 20:28; Heb 9:12; 1Pe 1:19; Re 5:9. Christ sent to effect -- Ga 4:4,5. Christ is made, to us -- 1Co 1:30. Is from The bondage of the law. -- Ga 4:5. The curse of the law. -- Ga 3:13. The power of sin. -- Ro 6:18,22. The power of the grave. -- Ps 49:15. All troubles. -- Ps 25:22. All iniquity. -- Ps 130:8; Tit 2:14. All evil. -- Ge 48:16. The present evil world. -- Ga 1:4. Vain conversation. -- 1Pe 1:18. Enemies. -- Ps 106”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Atonement, The — Explained -- Ro 5:8-11; 2Co 5:18,19; Ga 1:4; 1Jo 2:2; 4:10. Foreordained -- Ro 3:25; 1Pe 1:11,20; Re 13:8. Foretold -- Isa 53:4-6,8-12; Da 9:24-27; Zec 13:1,7; Joh 11:50,51. Effected by Christ alone -- Joh 1:29,36; Ac 4:10,12; 1Th 1:10; 1Ti 2:5,6; Heb 2:9; 1Pe 2:24. Was voluntary -- Ps 40:6-8; Heb 10:5-9; Joh 10:11,15,17,18. Exhibits the Grace and mercy of God. -- Ro 8:32; Eph 2:4,5,7; 1Ti 2:4; Heb 2:9. Love of God. -- Ro 5:8; 1Jo 4:9,10. Love of Christ. -- Joh 15:13; Ga 2:20; Eph 5:2,25; Re 1:5. Reconciles the justice and mercy of God -- Isa 45:21; ”
  5. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Resurrection of Christ — One of the cardinal facts and doctrines of the gospel. If Christ be not risen, our faith is vain (1 Cor. 15:14). The whole of the New Testament revelation rests on this as an historical fact. On the day of Pentecost Peter argued the necessity of Christ's resurrection from the prediction in Ps. 16 (Acts 2:24-28). In his own discourses, also, our Lord clearly intimates his resurrection (Matt. 20:19; Mark 9:9; 14:28; Luke 18:33; John 2:19-22). The evangelists give circumstantial accounts of the facts connected with that event, and the apostles, ”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Reconciliation With God — Predicted -- Da 9:24; Isa 53:5. Proclaimed by angels at the birth of Christ -- Lu 2:14. Blotting out the hand-writing of ordinances is necessary to -- Eph 2:16; Col 2:14. Effected for men By God in Christ. -- 2Co 5:19. By Christ as High Priest. -- Heb 2:17. By the death of Christ. -- Ro 5:10; Eph 2:16; Col 1:21,22. By the blood of Christ. -- Eph 2:13; Col 1:20. While alienated from God. -- Col 1:21. Without strength. -- Ro 5:6. Yet sinners. -- Ro 5:8. While enemies to God. -- Ro 5:10. The ministry of committed to ministers -- 2Co 5:18,19. Mi”
  7. Acts “Acts 5:31 (LEB) — This one God has exalted to his right hand as Leader and Savior to grant repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.”
  8. Psalms “He has sent redemption to his people. He has ordained his covenant forever. His name is holy and awesome! -- Psalms 111:9”
  9. Romans “whom God sent to be an atoning sacrifice, through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness through the passing over of prior sins, in God’s forbearance; -- Romans 3:25”
  10. Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 16:17: 16:17 God revealed to Peter his plan of salvation in Jesus, the Messiah. This moment of revelation was a high point in the unfolding of God’s will for humanity (cp. Gal 1:16; 3:23; Eph 3:5).”
  11. Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 2:2: 2:2 God’s mysterious plan: See 1:26; Christ himself personifies this plan.”
  12. Isaiah (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Isaiah 56:1: The scope of these verses is to show that when God is coming towards us in a way of mercy we must go forth to meet him in a way of duty. I. God here tells us what are his intentions of mercy to us (Isa 56:1): My salvation is near to come - the great salvation wrought out by Jesus Christ (for that was the salvation of which the prophets enquired and searched diligently, Pe1 1:10), typified by the salvation of the Jews from Sennacherib or out of Babylon. Observe, 1. The gospel salvation is the salvation of the Lord. It was contrived and brought about by him; he glor”
  13. Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 1:27: Zion shall be redeemed with judgment,.... The blessing of redemption by Christ is the source and foundation of the other blessings of grace, before mentioned, the little remnant are favoured with, as justification, pardon of sin, and conversion, Isa 1:18, Isa 1:25 it is of a spiritual nature; the redemption of the soul is a deliverance from the captivity of sin, Satan, and the law, and is plenteous and eternal; the objects of redeeming grace are "Zion" and her converts; not the world, but the church is redeemed by Christ; for by Zion is meant, not a place, but peopl”
  14. Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 33:24: Apodosis to Job 33:23. he--God. Deliver--literally, "redeem"; in it and "ransom" there is reference to the consideration, on account of which God pardons and relieves the sufferers; here it is primarily the intercession of Elihu. But the language is too strong for its full meaning to be exhausted by this. The Holy Ghost has suggested language which receives its full realization only in the "eternal redemption found" by God in the price paid by Jesus Christ for it; that is, His blood and meritorious intercession (Heb 9:12). "Obtained," literally, "fou”
  15. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 15:20: 15:20 In the Old Testament, the first crop was dedicated to God (see Exod 23:19). Christ’s resurrection is the first of a great harvest of God’s people who will be resurrected (see Col 1:18).”
  16. Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 1:14: In whom we have redemption,.... Which is an excellent and wonderful blessing of grace saints have in and by Christ; and lies in a deliverance from sin, all sin, original and actual, under which they are held captive, in a state of nature, and by which they are made subject to the punishment of death; but through the sacrifice of Christ it is taken, and put away, finished, and made an end of; and they are freed from the damning power of it, or any obligation to punishment for it; and in consequence of this are delivered from the enslaving governing power of it by h”
  17. Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 4:8: Wherefore--"For which reason," namely, in order to intimate that Christ, the Head of the Church, is the author of all these different gifts, and that giving of them is an act of His "grace" [ESTIUS]. he saith--God, whose word the Scripture is (Psa 68:18). When he ascended--GOD is meant in the Psalm, represented by the ark, which was being brought up to Zion in triumph by David, after that "the Lord had given him rest round about from all his enemies" (2Sa. 6:1-7:1; 1Ch. 15:1-29). Paul quotes it of CHRIST ascending to heaven, who is therefore GOD.”
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