Christ Died for Our Sins and Rose Again
The gospel announces what the Savior has already accomplished. This lesson studies His substitutionary death, His shed blood, His burial, His resurrection, and the sufficiency of His sacrifice.
- See that Christ died for sinners while they were ungodly.
- Understand substitution: He bore what belonged to us.
- See that His work was sufficient and complete.
- Understand the importance of the bodily resurrection.
Christ died for the ungodly
Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
Romans 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
These verses leave no room for the idea that Christ waited until we made ourselves worthy. We were without strength, ungodly, sinners, and even described as enemies. Yet Christ died for us. The initiative and saving work belong to God.
He bore our sins
Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
The language is substitutionary. Our transgressions, our iniquities, our wandering—and the LORD laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Christ suffered for sinners and bore guilt that belonged to us.
1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
The One who knew no sin stood in the place of sinners. The gospel shows God's holiness and love together: sin is real, judgment is real, and Christ bore our sins.
His sacrifice is sufficient for the whole world
1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Christ is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world. The gospel can therefore be preached honestly to every person. The saving benefit is received through faith in Christ.
Christ's death was finished, not partial
John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
The words It is finished matter. The Savior accomplished the work on which salvation rests. His payment is sufficient, and the sinner receives its saving benefit by faith.
He was buried and rose again
1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1 Corinthians 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
The burial confirms the reality of His death. The resurrection declares that Jesus Christ rose bodily from the dead. The gospel rests on these historical events.
Why we must not add human merit to the finished work
Scripture presents a completed saving work: Christ died for our sins, shed His blood, bore our guilt, and rose again. The sinner receives the benefit of Christ's work by believing on Him.
Compare Scripture with Scripture
Scripture trail: Romans 5:6 • Romans 5:7 • Romans 5:8 • Romans 5:9 • Romans 5:10 • Isaiah 53:5 • Isaiah 53:6 • 1 Peter 2:24 • Psalm 119:9-11
Do not rush past the references. Open them, read the surrounding verses, and make the Bible carry the weight of the conclusion.
Think it through
- Which words in these passages state what God has done, and which words state what the sinner must believe?
- Where does the text place works, religious rituals, or human merit in relation to receiving eternal life?
- Could you use these passages to explain the gospel clearly without adding another saving condition?
Teach it back
Without looking at the lesson explanation, summarize Christ Died for Our Sins and Rose Again in two or three sentences and support your explanation from Scripture. If you cannot explain it simply yet, return to the passages and work through them again.
Slow down and work the text
Reopen Romans 5:6, Romans 5:7, Romans 5:8, Romans 5:9. Read enough before and after each verse to see the setting. Do not settle for remembering a slogan when you can inspect the wording for yourself.
- Write the main claim of Christ Died for Our Sins and Rose Again in one sentence.
- Underline or write down the exact words in the passages that support that claim.
- Compare at least two of the passages. What truth becomes clearer when they are read together?
- Ask what could be misunderstood if one phrase were isolated from its context.
- State clearly what a sinner must believe to be saved, and keep works or religious rituals out of the saving condition.
Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, bore our sins, died in our place, was buried, and rose again. His saving work is sufficient and finished. The gospel calls the sinner to believe on the Savior and receive the benefit of His completed work.
- What four descriptions of our condition appear in Romans 5:6-10?
- What does Isaiah 53:6 say the LORD laid on Christ?
- According to 1 John 2:2, for whose sins is Christ the propitiation?
- What did Jesus say before He gave up the ghost in John 19:30?
- Why are the burial and resurrection essential parts of the gospel?
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ
21 min