The Role of Christ in Redemption and Salvation

The role of Christ in redemption and salvation is central to Christian theology, with Jesus himself meaning "savior" or "deliverer" ^[1]. Salvation is understood as being "by Christ" and "by Christ alone" ^[5]. This salvation is a work of God's grace, not earned by human actions ^{[9, 16]}.

Redemption, a key aspect of salvation, is defined as the purchase back of something lost through the payment of a ransom ^[2]. The Greek term apolutrosis, used nine times in Scripture, consistently carries this idea of a price paid ^[2]. Christ's blood is specifically identified as the means of this redemption ^{[6, 7]}. For instance, believers are "justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24) ^[3]. This redemption delivers believers from the bondage of the law, the curse of the law, the power of sin, and all iniquity ^[6]. John Gill notes that redemption in Christ frees individuals from the captivity of sin and its damning power ^[15].

Christ's role extends beyond his atoning death to his resurrection, which is considered a cardinal fact and doctrine of the gospel ^[4]. If Christ had not risen, Christian faith would be in vain (1 Corinthians 15:14) ^[4]. The resurrection ensures the efficacy of Christ's death on behalf of believers ^[17]. Through union with Christ, believers share in his resurrection, experiencing new life both now and in the future ^{[8, 13]}.

Salvation in Christ involves a transformation of the believer. It is not based on human merit but on God's mercy alone ^{[9, 16]}. God "created us anew in Christ Jesus," meaning good works are a result of salvation, not its cause ^[10]. This new creation signifies a complete departure from a life of sin and death, transferring believers into a realm of life and purity through the Holy Spirit ^[9]. Believers are called to "strip off their old life and put on Christ’s new life," allowing him to guide their way of living ^[12]. This new nature, expressed by God's Spirit within the believer, is part of the gift of salvation ^[14]. Through Christ, Gentiles who believe are fully accepted into God's family, becoming children of God alongside believing Jews ^[11].

Sources

Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Jesus — savior; deliverer”
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”
Romans “being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; -- Romans 3:24”
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, ”
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: 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”
Revelation “Revelation 1:5 (NASB) — and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood--”
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).”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:19: 2:19 Gentiles who believe are no longer strangers and foreigners (2:11-12, 17). Through Christ, they are fully accepted into God’s family. They become children of God, just like believing Jews (see Rom 8:14-17).”
Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:9: 3:9-10 your old sinful nature . . . your new nature: Paul contrasts old and new identities (see also Rom 5:12-21; 6:6; Eph 4:22-24). Believers strip off their old life and put on Christ’s new life, allowing him to be Lord and to guide the way they live.”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:6: 2:6 united with Christ Jesus: Because of this union, believers share God’s glory and blessings, and experience resurrection both now and in the future (see Rom 6:4-14; Col 2:12-13; 3:1-4).”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:24: 4:24 A believer has a new nature: God’s Spirit expresses his life within the believer (see Col 3:10; cp. Gen 1:26; Rom 12:1-2; Gal 5:22-23). The transforming work of God’s Spirit is part of the gift of salvation (Eph 2:8-10).”
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”
2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 1:9: 1:9-10 This passage underscores the importance of obedience (1:8) and strengthens Timothy for it (cp. 1 Tim 1:15; 2:5-6). • God saved us . . . Christ Jesus, our Savior: God and Christ are described interchangeably in the role of Savior (see 1 Tim 1:1; 2:3-4). • called us to live a holy life: Salvation and godliness are linked (see 1 Tim 3:14-16; 5:8; Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7; Eph 2:10). • not because we deserved it: We deserve condemnation (see Rom 3:23-24; 5:6-11; Eph 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). • that was his plan from before the beginning of time: See Titus 1:2; John 17:2”
Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 8:34: yea rather, that is risen again--to make good the purposes of His death. Here, as in some other cases, the apostle delightfully corrects himself (see Gal 4:9; and see on Rom 1:12); not meaning that the resurrection of Christ was of more saving value than His death, but that having "put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself"--which though precious to us was to Him of unmingled bitterness--it was incomparably more delightful to think that He was again alive, and living to see to the efficacy of His death in our behalf. who is even--"also" at the right”

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