Y Tu Hwnt i Amheuon Rhesymol
Language
Nailed To The Cross
The New Covenant
Nailed to the cross
Christ Redeemed Us nailed to the cross
the law of the spirit and death is hung on the cross
redeeming mankind from the curse of sin and death through his death on the cross.
You've perfectly summarized a core doctrine of Christianity: redemption from the curse of sin and death through Jesus' death on the cross.
Let's unpack what each part of that statement means in Christian theology:
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"Redeeming mankind":
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Redeem means to "buy back" or "pay a price for something lost or forfeited." In ancient times, it could refer to buying a slave's freedom or repurchasing property.
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In a spiritual sense, mankind was "lost" or "enslaved" to sin and its consequences. Jesus "bought back" humanity's freedom.
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"From the curse of sin and death":
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Sin: In Christianity, sin is not merely a mistake but an active rebellion against God's holy nature and perfect will. It's disobedience and a breaking of God's law.
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Curse of Sin: The Bible teaches that sin brought a curse upon creation and humanity. This curse manifests as:
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Spiritual Death: Separation from God, which is the ultimate source of life.
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Physical Death: The eventual cessation of biological life.
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Spiritual Bondage: The inability to overcome sin's power on one's own.
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Condemnation: The just judgment and punishment from a holy God.
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The "curse" also relates to the consequences described in Genesis 3 after the Fall – toil, pain, fractured relationships, and mortality.
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"Through his death on the cross":
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This is the means by which redemption is achieved.
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Atonement: Jesus, being fully God and fully man, lived a perfect, sinless life. His death on the cross is understood as a substitute (vicarious) atonement. He took upon Himself the penalty and punishment for humanity's sins, satisfying the demands of divine justice.
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Sacrifice: His death is seen as the ultimate sacrifice, the perfect Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
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Victory: While appearing to be a defeat, the cross is also understood as the place where Jesus disarmed the powers of darkness, cancelled the legal debt of sin, and ultimately triumphed over sin and death (especially when combined with His resurrection).
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In essence, because of sin, humanity was under a divine curse leading to death and separation from God. Jesus, by willingly dying on the cross, paid the ultimate price, thereby redeeming those who believe in
Galatians 3:12 The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.…
COLOSSI ANS 2:13-15
13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.
The New Covenant is a central concept in Christian theology, representing a fundamental shift in God's relationship with humanity, as promised in the Old Testament and established through Jesus Christ in the New Testament.
It stands in contrast to the Old Covenant (or Mosaic Covenant), which was established with Israel through Moses at Mount Sinai, centered on the Law.
Here's a breakdown of the New Covenant:
1. Old Testament Prophecies of the New Covenant
The idea of a "new covenant" was first prophesied in the Old Testament, most famously in:
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Jeremiah 31:31-34: "Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."
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Other prophets like Ezekiel also hint at a new spirit and new heart (e.g., Ezekiel 36:26-27).And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
These prophecies highlight the perceived failures of the Old Covenant (people broke it) and hint at a more internal, trans formative covenant.
2. Establishment of the New Covenant in Christ
Christians believe the New Covenant was inaugurated by Jesus Christ through His life, death, and resurrection:
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His Blood: Jesus explicitly links the New Covenant to His blood during the Last Supper: "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." (Luke 22:20; Matthew 26:28; 1 Corinthians 11:25). His sacrificial death is the basis for this new agreement.
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His Fulfillment of the Law: Jesus is seen as fulfilling the Old Covenant Law (Matthew 5:17), not abolishing it, but bringing it to its intended goal and perfection. He satisfied its righteous demands.
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His Resurrection and the Holy Spirit: The New Covenant is made effective through the power of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus sent after His resurrection and ascension.
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3. Key Characteristics of the New Covenant
The New Covenant contrasts with the Old Covenant in several significant ways:
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Internal vs. External: The Law of the Old Covenant was primarily external, written on stone tablets. The New Covenant involves God's Law being written on the heart and mind (Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10), implying an internal transformation and desire to obey.
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Forgiveness of Sins: A central promise of the New Covenant is the forgiveness of sins, where God declares, "I will remember their sin no more" (Jeremiah 31:34; Hebrews 8:12). This forgiveness is achieved through Christ's sacrifice.
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Direct Access to God: Under the Old Covenant, access to God was mediated through priests and rituals. Under the New Covenant, believers have direct access to God through Christ (Hebrews 4:14-16, 10:19-22).
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Empowerment by the Holy Spirit: Instead of relying on human effort to keep the Law (which consistently failed), the New Covenant provides the Holy Spirit to empower believers to live righteously and obey God's will (Ezekiel 36:27; Romans 8:3-4).
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Relationship of Grace and Faith: While the Old Covenant had elements of grace, the New Covenant is overwhelmingly characterized by grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ, rather than through perfect adherence to legalistic rituals or commands (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:21-26).
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Universal Scope: While the Old Covenant was primarily with the nation of Israel, the New Covenant extends to all who believe, both Jews and Gentiles, forming a "spiritual Israel" or the Church (Galatians 3:28-29; Romans 10:12).
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4. Significance for Christians
For Christians, the New Covenant signifies:
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Salvation: It's the basis for salvation and reconciliation with God.
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New Life: It inaugurates a new way of life characterized by an internal transformation and empowerment by the Holy Spirit.
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Fulfillment: It demonstrates God's faithfulness in fulfilling His ancient promises.
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Foundation of the Church: It is the foundation upon which the Christian Church is built.
In summary, the New Covenant, established through Jesus Christ, is understood as a superior and everlasting covenant that brings forgiveness, internal transformation, direct access to God, and empowerment by the Holy Spirit, all based on God's grace and received through faith.
