1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;… How that Christ died for our sins. Here history is bound up with theology. The historical fact is that Christ died. More carefully considered, the historical fact is that he died for no sins of his own, but was put to death by the malice and sin of bitter enemies. The theological fact which is bound up with the historical fact is that in some sense - mysterious, spiritual, mystical, but nevertheless most real and most true - he died for sin, in respect of sin, in gracious Divine relations to the pardon and removal of sin. It will be necessary to discuss fully the conceptions that are possible under this term for - for sin. Our preference for either one of the conceptions will depend on the school of theology to which we belong. For may mean in place of, or in respect of, or on account of, or with a view to the removal of. Scripture teachings should be appealed to, to fix what is the proper and precise meaning. The following may be consulted: - Old Testament. Genesis 22., Deuteronomy 9:24-26; Psalm 22.; Isaiah 53; Zechariah 12:10. New Testament: Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45; Romans 5:8-10; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Corinthians 8:11; 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15; 1 Timothy 2:6; 1 Peter 1:19. The subject may be fully treated under three headings, and, as it should be a scriptural rather than a theological study, the statement of the headings should suffice. I. OLD TESTAMENT ANTICIPATIONS OF THE DOCTRINE OF DEATH FOR SINS. II. OUR LORD'S OWN TEACHINGS RESPECTING HIS DEATH FOR SINS. III. APOSTOLIC VIEWS CONCERNING THE DEATH FOR SINS. If the Scripture passages be fully and fairly considered, it will be felt that the commonly accepted theological notions of our Lord's atonement for sin, need to be broadened and widened, and made inclusive of various possible relations. No one aspect of the death for sins need be conceived of as antagonistic to another. In the many sidedness of the relation lies the depth and the glory of the truth. - R.T. Parallel Verses KJV: For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; |
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