Redemption: a change of Master – God Himself. (Matthew 23:10)

“For as ye know that ye were not REDEEMED with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation (i.e. whole way of life, daily practice) received by tradition from your fathers (i.e. rituals, etc.) but with the precious Blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot…”.  (1 Peter 1:18-19)

Definition of the term:

Redemption:  To be redeemed is to be delivered from some great penalty by the paying of a fee.

Thus, prisoners of war are sometimes released on payment by their Government of a price which is called the ransom price (i.e. the price paid to obtain release of a prisoner; kidnap victim; captured goods; etc.; to release from captivity to a cruel taskmaster; price paid to set slaves and captives FREE).  (John 8:32) (Isaiah 61:1-2) (Luke 4:18) (Revelation 5:9)

For example: pawned possessions are REDEEMED by their owners when the financial loan is repaid at a pawnshop!

Question:  What then does mankind need to be set free from, Spiritually speaking?  (Romans 7:14-24)

Answer: Sin!  We are born sinners, and sin naturally from our birth.

Mankind are born as:

(a) Slaves under sin: (Psalm 51:5)

Adam was CREATED perfect, in God’s own image.  (Genesis 1:26)  He then fell from grace (i.e. sinned!) when he and Eve disobeyed God.

Adam thus became a slave to Satan through his sin, and then BEGAT mankind in his own sinful image. (Genesis 5:3)

Therefore, all Creation including mankind, became prisoners of God’s Curse; and NATURAL SINNERS by birth. (Genesis 3:17-19) (Job 14:4)

God Redeemed (i.e. bought back) Adam and Eve by the shedding of the innocent blood of animals, to clothe; or cover the sins of, the pair.  In this manner, God made a blood sacrifice for their sins; their sins were ‘…covered…’ by the blood sacrifice.  (Genesis 3:20-21) (Psalm 32:1-2)

Of course, this sacrifice revealed God’s chosen way of Atonement ( i.e. at-one-ment!), sinful man to a thrice Holy God of wrath against sin; and looked forward in faith to the ‘…once for all time…’ Atonement (or Redemption) Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, at the Cross of Calvary.  (John 1:29)

This Cross-work of Christ is called EXPIATION: the suffering undergone by an innocent substitute to expiate (i.e. make amends for; pay the penalty of) the sins of the guilty parties.  (Hebrews 10:10)

It follows, therefore, that, “…without shedding of blood is no remission of sins…”. (Hebrews 9:22-28)  Christ’s Blood was shed for our Redemption.

Redemption:  Redemption was made by the shedding of Christ’s SINLESS BLOOD.  Thus, the reason for preaching the Blood of Christ boldly – it is the only way of true Salvation!  He was our Substitute on that cruel Cross.  There is no Redemption without the precious Blood of Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21) (1 Peter 1:18-19)  Thank you, Lord Jesus!

(b)Prisoners of the Pit:  (Zechariah 9:9-17)

We are all born as prisoners on our way to the pit of Hell.  We are Hell-bound sinners; guilty of Adam’s original sin, as well as the sins we naturally commit ourselves – due to our inherited ADAMIC NATURE.          (Genesis 6:5-7)

Redemption:  Redemption came by Christ, as promised, when He came to Redeem His people from the pit of Hell and from our sins.                (Genesis 3:15) (Matthew 1:21)

He came to free us from going to our rightful destination – a fiery Hell, where we would have gone to spend Eternity but for His grace.             (Isaiah 61:1) (Isaiah 42:1-10;22)

Redemption:  Redemption was declared to the Jewish nation as Christ’s purpose for coming the first time as the Lamb of God. (Luke 4:18)  But, they rejected their Messiah/Saviour.  (Matthew 27:22-26)

The wages of our sins was death (i.e. Spiritual and natural death!), but Christ, by His gracious act of Redemption, declares us (i.e. all those born again of His Spirit, Spiritually regenerated) His purchased possessions. (Revelation 20:5-15)

We are through faith in Christ’s Sacrifice, granted freedom, like Barabbas was granted his freedom.  We are secured by the highest Price possible to pay – the precious Blood of Christ Jesus Himself.  Hallelujah!  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (1 Peter 1:1:18-19) (Romans 6:23)

Christ, the sinless Lamb of God, went to the Cross, while we latter-day Barabbas-like, guilty, sinners go free!  What grace!  (Isaiah 53:4-11)

Mankind are ‘Born Again’ as:

(a) Sons/daughters of God: (John 1:12) (Romans 8:10-18) ( Isaiah 56:4-8)
(b)  Slaves of Love:  (2 Corinthians 5:14-21) (Exodus 6:2-8)
(c)  Prisoners of Hope:  (Zechariah 9:12) (Psalm 69:29-33)

What a Saviour!  What a Redeemer!  What a Lord of Love and Truth!

Redemption:  Redemption therefore, is God’s free gift of grace to His chosen people.  (Ephesians 2:8-10)  Yet, although freely given, we must always remember the terrible Price God paid to purchase us, and free us from the power of Satan, self; and the penalty of sin. (John 3:16-17)

In remembering this great RANSOM PRICE of Christ’s infinite suffering, we too shall endure all suffering victoriously, and commit ourselves to our Sovereign Redeemer’s safe keeping.  
(1 Corinthians 11:23-34) (Philippians 1:29) (2 Timothy 3:12)  Amen.

This, therefore, is the Scriptural doctrine of Redemption – go forward in its liberating truth.