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Redemption from Past Sins and Guilt in Christian Theology

Redemption from past sins and guilt is a central concept, understood as the purchase back of something lost through the payment of a ransom [2]. This concept is deeply intertwined with forgiveness, expiation, and reconciliation, all made possible through the work of Christ [1, 4, 10].

Sin is universally recognized as a state of rebellion against God, leading to condemnation [8, 14]. All human beings are considered born sinners, though the godly fight against their sinful nature [11]. Sin is not merely an action but a condition, a "corrupt old nature" that adheres to individuals even after conversion [16]. The first sin, committed by Adam and Eve, is described as a "heinous and aggravated" act of self-love, dishonor to God, and disobedience [13]. Sinful acts are often termed "vanity" [12]. God's anger is a necessary and holy response to sin, not a spontaneous emotional outburst [15]. This universal sinfulness means that neither Gentiles nor Jews can find favor with God through their own actions [15].

The concept of redemption involves a ransom or price paid to secure release [2]. The Greek word apolutrosis, occurring nine times in Scripture, consistently carries this idea [2]. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew term goel refers to one charged with restoring the rights of another and avenging wrongs, a title peculiarly applied to Christ [9]. Christ redeems individuals from all evil by paying a ransom [9]. This redemption is a deliverance from the power, guilt, and penal consequences of sin [18]. It frees individuals from the captivity of sin, Satan, and the law, and from the obligation to punishment [19, 20]. Colossians 1:14 states, "in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" [6]. This redemption is a present possession for believers [18].

Forgiveness of sin is a constituent part of justification, where God absolves the sinner from the condemnation of the law due to Christ's work [1]. This act removes the guilt of sin and the sinner's liability to eternal wrath [1]. All sins are forgiven freely, and through this act of grace, the sinner is forever freed from the guilt and penalty of their sins [1]. This is God's unique prerogative [1]. The apostle John emphasizes that if one claims to have no sin, they deceive themselves, but if they confess their sins, God is faithful and just to forgive them [1 John 1:8-9]. To claim "we have not sinned" is to make God a liar [16].

Expiation is closely related to redemption and forgiveness. Guilt is expiated when punishment falls on a substitute [4]. This means that sins are punished not in the individual but in another who consents to stand in their place [4]. Expiation is the means by which reconciliation is achieved, with sin being "covered" by vicarious satisfaction [4]. Romans 3:25 describes Christ as "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" [5]. Hebrews 9:28 states that Christ was "offered once to bear the sins of many" [7].

Reconciliation signifies a change from enmity to friendship [10]. It is a mutual process, involving a change in both parties who were at enmity [10]. In Colossians 1:21-22, reconciliation refers to a change in the sinner's character, moving from being an enemy of God to yielding full confidence and love [10]. Paul urges believers to "be reconciled to God," meaning to lay aside their enmity [2 Corinthians 5:20, cited in 10]. Romans 5:10 indicates that reconciliation also refers to God himself, as the party reconciled [10].

The process of addressing sin and guilt often involves confession and restitution. Numbers 5:7 outlines a requirement for someone who has sinned to confess their sin, make full restitution for their guilt, and add a fifth part to it, giving it to the person wronged [3]. This demonstrates an Old Testament understanding of the need for both acknowledgment and tangible action to address wrongdoing.

The ultimate source of redemption and forgiveness is Christ. Believers are claimed by Christ, and in Christ, they are ultimately claimed by God [17]. This redemption is not merely a historical event but a present reality for those who believe [18]. The church, often referred to as Zion, is redeemed by Christ, signifying a spiritual deliverance from the captivity of sin, Satan, and the law [20]. This redemption is plenteous and eternal [20].

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Forgiveness of sin — One of the constituent parts of justification. In pardoning sin, God absolves the sinner from the condemnation of the law, and that on account of the work of Christ, i.e., he removes the guilt of sin, or the sinner's actual liability to eternal wrath on account of it. All sins are forgiven freely (Acts 5:31; 13:38; 1 John 1:6-9). The sinner is by this act of grace for ever freed from the guilt and penalty of his sins. This is the peculiar prerogative of God (Ps. 130:4; Mark 2:5). It is offered to all in the gospel. (See [219]JUSTIFICATION.)”
  2. 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”
  3. Numbers “then he shall confess his sin which he has done, and he shall make restitution for his guilt in full, and add to it the fifth part of it, and give it to him in respect of whom he has been guilty. -- Numbers 5:7”
  4. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Expiation — Guilt is said to be expiated when it is visited with punishment falling on a substitute. Expiation is made for our sins when they are punished not in ourselves but in another who consents to stand in our room. It is that by which reconciliation is effected. Sin is thus said to be "covered" by vicarious satisfaction. The cover or lid of the ark is termed in the LXX. hilasterion, that which covered or shut out the claims and demands of the law against the sins of God's people, whereby he became "propitious" to them. The idea of vicarious expiation runs thro”
  5. 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”
  6. Colossians “Colossians 1:14 (BSB) — in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
  7. Hebrews “so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, without sin, to those who are eagerly waiting for him for salvation. -- Hebrews 9:28”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Condemnation — The sentence of God against sin -- Mt 25:41. Universal, caused by the offence of Adam -- Ro 5:12,16,18. Inseparable consequence of sin -- Pr 12:2; Ro 6:23. Increased by Impenitence. -- Mt 11:20-24. Unbelief. -- Joh 3:18,19. Pride. -- 1Ti 3:6. Oppression. -- Jas 5:1-5. Hypocrisy. -- Mt 23:14. Conscience testifies to the justice of -- Job 9:20; Ro 2:1; Tit 3:11. The law testifies to the justice of -- Ro 3:19. According to men's deserts -- Mt 12:37; 2Co 11:15. Saints are delivered from, by Christ -- Joh 3:18; 5:24; Ro 8:1,33,34. Of the wicked, an example ”
  9. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Redeemer — Heb. goel; i.e., one charged with the duty of restoring the rights of another and avenging his wrongs (Lev. 25:48, 49; Num. 5:8; Ruth 4:1; Job 19:25; Ps. 19:14; 78:35, etc.). This title is peculiarly applied to Christ. He redeems us from all evil by the payment of a ransom (q.v.). (See [524]REDEMPTION.)”
  10. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Reconcilation — A change from enmity to friendship. It is mutual, i.e., it is a change wrought in both parties who have been at enmity. (1.) In Col. 1:21, 22, the word there used refers to a change wrought in the personal character of the sinner who ceases to be an enemy to God by wicked works, and yields up to him his full confidence and love. In 2 Cor. 5:20 the apostle beseeches the Corinthians to be "reconciled to God", i.e., to lay aside their enmity. (2.) Rom. 5:10 refers not to any change in our disposition toward God, but to God himself, as the party reconcile”
  11. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
  12. Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 30:8: vanity--all sorts of sinful acts (Job 11:11; Isa 5:18).”
  13. Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 3:13: beguiled--cajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated--it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters--a preference of the creature to the Creator.”
  14. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 19:13: 19:13 An individual who commits deliberate sins does so with an insolent (86:14) or arrogant (119:21, 69) attitude. • The great sin is rebellion (see 32:1).”
  15. Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
  16. 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1:10: Parallel to Jo1 1:8. we have not sinned--referring to the commission of actual sins, even after regeneration and conversion; whereas in Jo1 1:8, "we have no sin," refers to the present GUILT remaining (until cleansed) from the actual sins committed, and to the SIN of our corrupt old nature still adhering to us. The perfect "have . . . sinned" brings down the commission of sins to the present time, not merely sins committed before, but since, conversion. we make him a liar--a gradation; Jo1 1:6, "we lie"; Jo1 1:8, "we deceive ourselves"; worst of al”
  17. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 3:23: 3:23 Just as they may now claim everything as their own, so Christ has claimed them for himself (see Rom 14:7-9), and in Christ they are ultimately claimed by God (see 1 Cor 6:19-20; 7:23).”
  18. Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 1:7: In whom--"the Beloved" (Eph 1:6; Rom 3:24). we have--as a present possession. redemption--Greek, "our (literally, 'the') redemption"; THE redemption which is the grand subject of all revelation, and especially of the New Testament (Rom 3:24), namely, from the power, guilt, and penal consequences of sin (Mat 1:21). If a man were unable to redeem himself from being a bond-servant, his kinsman might redeem him (Lev 25:48). Hence, antitypically the Son of God became the Son of man, that as our kinsman He might redeem us (Mat 20:28). Another "redempti”
  19. 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”
  20. 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”
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