Atonement, Law, Grace, Sin and Redemption

Question 1

What is salvation?

Answer 1

• Christians believe that in the Fall, Adam and Eve lost the perfect relationship with God and something had to be done to repair this relationship.
• Humans have to be saved from punishment of their sin.
• Christian’s message is that salvation was done by God Himself by becoming human in the form of Jesus, and died in place of humans (known as Atonement)
• Salvation is by faith alone.

Question 2

What is Atonement?

Answer 2

• a word to describe something that makes amend/pays for having done something wrong.

Question 3

How did God provide a way for Jews to atone for sin?

Answer 3

• With the regular offering of the atonement sacrifice on the Day of Atonement; this happened once a year, every year
• On this day, the high priest would enter “the Holy of Holies” in the Temple which was separated from the rest of the Temple.
• The priest would be seen to be entering into the presence of God, and a animal sacrifice would be made.
• The blood of the animal would bring reconciliation between humans and God on that day. People would stand pure before God like A&E before the Fall.

Question 4

What do Christians use this background of Jewish practice to help them understand?

Answer 4

• The significance of Jesus’ death on the cross.
• Christians believe that the priest were temporary, standing in until the time of the true high priest; Jesus, who is in the true presence of God.

Question 5

The Law; in the past, what did religious law do?

Answer 5

• Condemn people, showing how they were sinful and imperfect.
• The laws shows that no one could meet God’s standards.
• Christians believe that Jesus’ sacrifice was once and for all, and humans could be forgiven and made right with God even if they were imperfect.
• Under the new covenant, all people could revive complete forgiveness and have the Holy Spirit live in them by repentance and faith in Christ.

Question 6

Grace; for Christians, what does the new covenant mean?

Answer 6

• That they are no longer saved by their own works or by obedience to the law, but through the grace of God.
• God’s grace means that humans are given His blessing even if they are imperfect, so long as they have faith in Christ.

Question 7

Sin; how, in the Bible, is it explained that sin first entered this world?

Answer 7

• Paul explains that sin entered this world through the disobedience of Eve, and then Adam, in the Garden of Eden.
• Sin brought with it Death.
• Paul writes “for all have sinned and fall short in the glory of God”, showing that humans continue to sin.

Question 8

Sin; What does Jesus’ Crucifixion provide humans with

Answer 8

• It is key to providing humans with the redemption they need in order to revive the gift of eternal life.
• Paul makes it clear in his writings that humans can do nothing to earn their salvation.
• Doing good deeds is simply not enough.
• Paul says that is is only through God’s grace to His people that they can be saved.
• Everyone stands equal before God, teaching of meekness and righteousness in his S on the M.

Question 9

What is redemption?

Answer 9

-The process of buying something back/paying off a dept. Christians believe that salvation is actually God offering to pay their dept of sin.

Question 10

Repentance and forgiveness; why is this important?

Answer 10

• In order to be saved, Christians believe that they need to say sorry to God for their sins (repent) and also ask for forgiveness.
• They accept God’s help to live a good life, which is brought to them by His Holy Spirit.

Question 11

Different views on salvation…

Answer 11

• Many Christians believe that Jesus was a sacrifice that paid for human sin.
• Others view that Jesus’ death was a ransom.
• Another understanding is that by becoming a human, God made it so that humans could achieve a union with God, allowing them to be saved.

Question 12

Individuals views on salvation…

Answer 12

• Some Christians, i.e Roman Catholics, believe that to be saved you have to be baptized and belong to the Church. Their ongoing sacraments ensure their salvation.
• Some Christians, i.e evangelical Christians believe that it is faith in Jesus that will allow them to be saved.
• -Some Christians, believe that it is by their actions and good deeds that they will be able to enter heaven.