MEANING & PURPOSE OF THE DEATH OF CHRIST

The Death of Christ was the First Truth in Apostolic Preaching

 

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 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 Cor. 15:1-3 - "First of all" - what?

Note solemnity of introduction.

Paul did not start with the law or the second coming (cf. Acts 17:3). "Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ."

The foundation of Paul's Gospel was the death of Christ (Gal. 1:6-9). "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."

The Death of Christ was the Heart of the Church's Sacraments

Baptism Introduced the Convert into the Local Church
This rite spoke to him of the death of Christ. Romans 6:3-4 "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

Communion was Central in the Church's Worship
This rite reminded the worshipper of the death of his Lord.
1 Cor. 11:26 "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come."

 

The Death of Christ was the Guarantee of Every Blessing

Many passages later. One here -- Romans 8:31-32 "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"
Men saw in giving of God's Son to death for them the supreme outflowing of God's love, and rightly argued that if God could thus give, nothing else would be too great for God to give.

The Death of Christ was the Foundation and Source of all True Christian Living

Romans 6:1-11 "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Romans 8:3-4 "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

The Death of Christ was the Great Object of Interest to the Heavenly World

To righteous men. Luke 9:30-31 "And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem."
To angels. 1 Peter 1:11-12 "Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into."

The Death of Christ is the Song of the Redeemed in Heaven

Rev. 5:8-10 "And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth."

The Death of Christ will be Remembered as an Everlasting Monument of God's Love and Grace

Rev. 21 and 22. The eternal state - new heavens and earth.
The prominent figure is Who? - Christ.
And by what name is He called? the Lamb
Rev. 21:9 - Husband of the Bride is the Lamb.
Rev. 21:14 - Names on foundation of the city are the apostles of the Lamb.
Rev. 21:22 - Temple of the city is the Lamb.
Rev. 21:23 - The lamp of the city is the Lamb.
Rev. 21:27 - Only those written in book of life can enter. And this book belongs to the Lamb.
Rev. 22:1 - A river of life flows from the throne of the Lamb.
Rev. 22:3 - On the throne of the city sits the Lamb.

This name throughout eternity will be a memorial of His death.

Conclusion: What Does all this Mean?

It means that the "Cross of Christ is the moral and spiritual center of the Universe. An eternity past knew no other future, and an eternity to come will know no other past."