Basis of the Society Article 5

Belief that the death of our Lord Jesus Christ was "a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world"; that His sacrifice once for all offered and accepted, can never again be repeated or re-presented; and that "there is none other satisfaction for sin, but that alone".

The Article describes the death of Christ as ‘satisfaction’ for sin. The key question to ask is, satisfaction for whom? The answer is two-fold. Humans are alienated from God by sin, the cross deals with sin, and humans can now look on God without fear. At the same time God is alienated from humankind by wrath, the cross deals with wrath, and so God can look on humankind without displeasure.* Christ’s death on the cross totally satisfied our greatest need. 

This Article draws out two implications of this death in our place on the cross which are of massive relevance to mission:

‘Satisfaction for the sins of the whole world’ 

Christ’s death was sufficient for everyone. There is no-one who falls outside the scope of this, no matter what they have done, said or thought, where they live, where they are from, what condition they may be in, or what religious background they are from. Paul says the gospel is “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). Although available to all, this satisfaction is only conferred on everyone “who calls on the name of the Lord” (Romans 10:12). For that to happen they need to ‘hear’, and for that to happen someone needs to ‘preach’.

‘None other satisfaction for sin, but that alone’. 

If the first implication points to the universal relevance of the death of Christ, the second points to its uniqueness. There is no other way: “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).We will by nature try all other avenues rather than humbly accept this proffered rescue. The fact is however that most people know only enough of God to be guilty of rejecting him. 

So the death of Christ, offered once for all and demonstrably accepted in the resurrection, is for everyone and actually holds the only hope for anyone. Let us make sure that everyone has the opportunity to respond.   

 * From David F Wells’ ‘Search for Salvation’ and John Stott’s ‘The Cross of Christ’.  

Crosslinks magazine July 2004 index