God's Response to Child Sacrifice for Salvation Guarantee
God's Response to Child Sacrifice
The practice of child sacrifice is an abhorrent act condemned in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of salvation. The biblical account presents God's response to such practices as a rejection, emphasizing instead the value of faith and obedience.
The concept of salvation in the biblical context is rooted in God's grace and mercy. According to the apostle Paul, salvation is a gift from God, not earned by human actions, including sacrifices [3]. In Ephesians 2:8-9, it is written that salvation is by faith, and this is not from ourselves; it is a gift from God, not a result of works, so that no one can boast [5]. This understanding underscores God's initiative in salvation, contrasting with the idea of offering human sacrifices, including children, to guarantee salvation.
The biblical narrative critiques the practice of child sacrifice, particularly in the context of ancient Near Eastern cultures. The story of Abraham and Isaac serves as a pivotal moment where God tests Abraham's faith by asking him to sacrifice Isaac, only to intervene and provide a ram as a substitute, illustrating God's rejection of human sacrifice [1]. This narrative is seen as a precursor to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who is considered the Lamb of God, providing salvation through his death and resurrection.
In the New Testament, the concept of salvation is closely tied to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is seen as the fulfillment of God's plan for salvation, emphasizing that salvation comes through faith in Christ, not through human efforts or sacrifices [3, 6]. The writer of Ephesians notes that believers are "created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life" (Ephesians 2:10) [7]. This highlights that while good works are a result of salvation, they are not the means to achieve it.
The early Christian interpreters and theologians, such as those from the Reformed tradition, understood salvation as a work of God, emphasizing the role of grace and faith. For instance, Calvin's commentary on Isaiah highlights the importance of faithfulness and the transmission of God's name to posterity, underscoring the role of parental instruction in the religious upbringing of children [8]. This perspective contrasts with the practice of child sacrifice, instead valuing the nurturing of children in the faith.
The biblical assurance of salvation is rooted in God's faithfulness and the work of Christ. The resurrection of Jesus is seen as a pledge or assurance of God's revelation and salvation (Acts 17:31) [2]. Believers are encouraged to have full assurance of faith, understanding, and hope, grounded in the conviction of God's love and the gift of salvation through Christ [4].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prophecies Respecting Christ — As the Son of God -- Ps 2:7. Fulfilled. -- Lu 1:32,35. As the seed of the woman -- Ge 3:15. Fulfilled. -- Ga 4:4. As the seed of Abraham -- Ge 17:7; 22:18. Fulfilled. -- Ga 3:16. As the seed of Isaac -- Ge 21:12. Fulfilled. -- Heb 11:17-19. As the seed of David -- Ps 132:11; Jer 23:5. Fulfilled. -- Ac 13:23; Ro 1:3. His coming at a set time -- Ge 49:10; Da 9:24,25. Fulfilled. -- Lu 2:1. His being born a virgin -- Isa 7:14. Fulfilled. -- Mt 1:22,23; Lu 2:7. His being called Immanuel -- Isa 7:14. Fulfilled. -- Mt 1:22,23. His being born i”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Assurance — The resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:31) is the "assurance" (Gr. pistis, generally rendered "faith") or pledge God has given that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance. The "full assurance [Gr. plerophoria, full bearing'] of faith" (Heb. 10:22) is a fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. The "full assurance of understanding" (Col. 2:2) is an entire unwavering conviction of the truth of the declarations of Scripture, a joyful steadfastness on the part of any one of conviction that he has grasped the very truth. The "full assurance ”
- 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”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Assurance — Produced by faith -- Eph 3:12; 2Ti 1:12; Heb 10:22. Made full by hope -- Heb 6:11,19. Confirmed by love -- 1Jo 3:14,19; 4:18. Is the effect of righteousness -- Isa 32:17. Is abundant in the understanding of the gospel -- Col 2:2; 1Th 1:5. Saints privileged to have, of Their election. -- Ps 4:3; 1Th 1:4. Their redemption. -- Job 19:25. Their adoption. -- Ro 8:16; 1Jo 3:2. Their salvation. -- Isa 12:2. Eternal life. -- 1Jo 5:13. The unalienable love of God. -- Ro 8:38,39. Union with God and Christ. -- 1Co 6:15; 2Co 13:5; Eph 5:30; 1Jo 2:5; 4:13. Peace with ”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:5: 2:5 gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead (literally made us alive together with Christ): Joined with Christ, believers share in his resurrection, now and in the future (see 2:6; Rom 6:4-14; Col 3:1-4). • It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved: See Eph 1:2; 2:8-9.”
- Titus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Titus 3:5: 3:5 not because . . . but because: The contrast is between human actions that might be thought to merit salvation and God’s grace (see Gal 2:16). Salvation is through faith in God’s mercy alone (Eph 2:8). • He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth: See Ezek 16:9; John 3:1-15; Eph 5:26; Heb 10:22; 2 Pet 1:9. • and new life through the Holy Spirit: This signifies a complete departure from the life of sin and death and a transfer into the realm of life and purity (see also Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 5:17; Col 3:10).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:10: 2:10 He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us: Good works are the result, not the cause, of salvation. God’s Spirit, working through a transformed heart, produces a good life (Gal 5:22-23).”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 3, section 6.33: ought to learn a useful lesson, that children are given to men on the express condition, that every man, by instructing his children, shall endeavor, to the utmost of his power, to transmit the name of God to posterity; and, therefore, the fathers of families are chiefly enjoined to be careful in this respect, that they shall diligently mention the benefits which God has bestowed on them. By the word truth h e means that faithfulness which God exercises towards his people, and all the testimonies of his grace by which he proves that he is tru”