Purpose of Jesus' Death in the Context of Faith
The death of Jesus Christ is a central tenet of Christian faith, understood as a necessary act for the redemption of humanity and the fulfillment of divine purpose [5, 9]. Scripture indicates that Christ's death was not a random event but was appointed by God and foretold in the Old Testament [5, 9]. For instance, John 18:32 notes that Jesus's words about the manner of his death were fulfilled [1].
The purpose of Jesus's death is multifaceted. It is seen as a voluntary sacrifice, acceptable to God, and essential for human salvation [5]. This sacrifice is described as Christ dying "once for all, concerning sins, ... Just in behalf of unjust, in order that he might introduce us unto God" [2]. This act demonstrates the great love of God and Christ [6, 9]. The death of Christ is also understood as part of his humiliation, which included his birth, circumstances, reputation, suffering, and burial [3]. This humiliation was necessary to execute God's purpose, fulfill Old Testament prophecies, and satisfy the law on behalf of the guilty [3].
The concept of faith is intrinsically linked to the death of Christ. Faith is generally understood as the persuasion that a statement is true, with its primary idea being trust [4]. In the context of Christ's death, faith involves believing that Jesus died for the sins of his people and rose again for their justification [11]. This belief is considered fundamental to Christian faith, providing peace, joy, comfort, and leading to salvation [11]. Adam Clarke, in his commentary on Romans, emphasizes that justification cannot be achieved through works due to humanity's sinful state; therefore, salvation must come through faith, with Jesus Christ as its object and the infinite merit of his passion and death as its reason [8].
Theological traditions have explored the scope and efficacy of Christ's death. Charles Hodge, one theologian, notes that Christ's death brings innumerable blessings to all people, both providential and religious [10]. He articulates the view that Christ died "sufficiently for all, efficaciously only for the elect," meaning his death was sufficient to save all humanity, but its saving power is effectively applied only to those chosen by God [10]. This perspective maintains that Christ died specifically for his own people to render their salvation certain, rather than merely making salvation possible for all [7]. The resurrection of Christ, which followed his death, is also crucial for confirming faith in both his Godhead and humanity [13]. The ultimate goal of Christ's death and resurrection is to establish his absolute Lordship over both the living and the dead [12].
Sources
- John “that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spoke, signifying by what kind of death he should die. -- John 18:32”
- I Peter “I Peter 3:18 (Rotherham) — Because, Christ also, once for all, concerning sins, died,—Just in behalf of unjust,—in order that he might introduce us unto God; being put to death, indeed, in flesh, but made alive in spirit,—”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Humiliation of Christ — (Phil. 2:8), seen in (1) his birth (Gal. 4:4; Luke 2:7; John 1:46; Heb. 2:9), (2) his circumstances, (3) his reputation (Isa. 53; Matt. 26:59, 67; Ps. 22:6; Matt. 26:68), (4) his soul (Ps. 22:1; Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 22:44; Heb. 2:17, 18; 4:15), (5) his death (Luke 23; John 19; Mark 15:24, 25), (6) and his burial (Isa. 53:9; Matt. 27:57, 58, 60). His humiliation was necessary (1) to execute the purpose of God (Acts 2:23, 24; Ps. 40:6-8), (2) fulfil the Old Testament types and prophecies, (3) satisfy the law in the room of the guilty (Isa. 53; Heb”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Faith — Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true (Phil. 1:27; 2 Thess. 2:13). Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. It admits of many degrees up to full assurance of faith, in accordance with the evidence on which it rests. Faith is the result of teaching (Rom. 10:14-17). Knowledge is an essential element in all faith, and is sometimes spoken of as an equivalent to faith (John 10:38; 1 John 2:3). Yet the two are distinguished in this respect, that faith includes in it assent, which is an act ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Death of Christ, The — Foretold -- Isa 53:8; Da 9:26; Zec 13:7. Appointed by God -- Isa 53:6,10; Ac 2:23. Necessary for the redemption of man -- Lu 24:46; Ac 17:3. Acceptable, as a sacrifice to God -- Mt 20:28; Eph 5:2; 1Th 5:10. Was voluntary -- Isa 53:12; Mt 26:53; Joh 10:17,18. Was undeserved -- Isa 53:9. Mode of Foretold by Christ. -- Mt 20:18,19; Joh 12:32,33. Prefigured. -- Nu 21:8; Joh 3:14. Ignominious. -- Heb 12:2. Accursed. -- Ga 3:13. Exhibited His humility. -- Php 2:8. A stumbling block to Jews. -- 1Co 1:23. Foolishness to Gentiles. -- 1Co 1:18,23. Demand”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love of God, The — Is a part of his character -- 2Co 13:11; 1Jo 4:8. Christ, the especial object of -- Joh 15:9; 17:26. Christ abides in -- Joh 15:10. Described as Sovereign. -- De 7:8; 10:15. Great. -- Eph 2:4. Abiding. -- Zep 3:17. Unfailing. -- Isa 49:15,16. Unalienable. -- Ro 8:39. Constraining. -- Ho 11:4. Everlasting. -- Jer 31:3. Irrespective of merit -- De 7:7; Job 7:17. Manifested towards Perishing sinners. -- Joh 3:16; Tit 3:4. His saints. -- Joh 16:27; 17:23; 2Th 2:16; 1Jo 4:16. The destitute. -- De 10:18. The cheerful giver. -- 2Co 9:7. Exhibited in The g”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 107: is plain that the doctrine that Christ died equally for all men with the purpose of rendering the salvation of all possible, has no advantage over the doctrine that He died specially for his own people, and with the purpose of rendering their salvation certain. It presents no higher view of 562 the love of God, or of the value of Christ’s work. It affords no better ground for the offer of salvation “to every creature,” nor does it render more obvious the justice of the condemnation of those who reject the gospel. They are condemned by Go”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 10:6: But the righteousness which is of faith - As it is most evident that there can be no justification by works, as all are sinful and all in a guilty state; if God will grant salvation at all, it must be by faith: but faith must have an object and a reason for its exercise; the object is Jesus Christ - the reason is the infinite merit of his passion and death. Who shall ascend unto heaven? etc. - As Christ is the end of the law for justification to every one that believes, no observance of the law can procure him. Who, by the practice of the law, can bring Christ down ”
- Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 16:21: And it came to pass that the beggar died,.... The death of Christ was not a casual thing, a fortuitous event; it was agreed unto, and settled in the covenant of grace; it was spoken of by the prophets of the Old Testament; it was typified by the sacrifices of the law, and other things; it was foretold by Christ himself, and was the end of his coming into this world, wherein the great love, both of him and of his Father, is expressed; and is the main article of the Christian faith; so that this came to pass according to the decrees of God, the counsel, and covenant of p”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 106: and to all classes of men, innumerable blessings, both providential and religious. It was, of course, designed to produce these effects; and, therefore, He died to secure them. In view of the effects which the death of Christ produces in the relation of all mankind to God, it has in all ages been customary 546 with Augustinians to say that Christ died “ sufficienter pro omnibus, efficaciter tantum pro electis ;” sufficiently for all, efficaciously only for the elect. There is a sense, therefore, in which He died for all, and there is a s”
- 1 Thessalonians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Thessalonians 4:14: For if we believe that Jesus died, and rose again,.... As every Christian does, for both the death and resurrection of Christ are fundamental articles of faith; nothing is more certain or more comfortable, and more firmly to be believed, than that Christ died for the sins of his people, and rose again for their justification; on these depend the present peace, joy, and comfort of the saints, and their everlasting salvation and happiness: and no less certain and comfortable, and as surely to be believed, is what follows, even so them also which sleep in Jesu”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 14:9: For to this end Christ both, &c.--The true reading here is, To this end Christ died and lived ("again"). that he might be Lord both of the dead and--"and of the" living--The grand object of His death was to acquire this absolute Lordship over His redeemed, both in their living and in their dying, as His of right.”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Third Part (Tertia Pars), Of Christ's Resurrection, Art. 2: Article: Whether it was fitting for Christ to rise again on the third day? I answer that, As stated above (Article [1]) Christ's Resurrection was necessary for the instruction of our faith. But our faith regards Christ's Godhead and humanity, for it is not enough to believe the one without the other, as is evident from what has been said (Question [36], Article [4]; cf. SS, Question [2], Articles [7],8). Consequently, in order that our faith in the truth of His Godhead might be confirmed it was necessary tha”