Doctrine of Salvation: The Atonement

Описание: Puritan and Anglican clergyman, William Gurnall wrote in THE CHRISTIAN IN COMPLETE ARMOUR, "As Christ is the primary object of faith, so Christ as crucified. Not Christ in His personal excellencies; so He is the object rather of our love than faith. But as bleeding, and that to death, under the hand of divine justice for to make an atonement by God's own appointment for the sins of the world."
Christ's death on the cross is not a peripheral or secondary issue, but is THE crucial doctrine of the Christian faith. Christianity is Christ, and the crucial fact about Christ is His death upon the cross and our atonement.
We began our study of "The Doctrine of Salvation" a few weeks ago by asking 'WHY do we NEED to be saved?' and the Bible answers with the doctrine of total, or radical depravity, as it teaches an accurate view of man's desperate plight, lost in sin and totally unable in himself to merit the favor of God.
To that 1st question was added 'HOW are we saved?' And the Scriptures answer the 2nd question with the doctrine of divine election, or sovereign selection. God's elective favor was not conditioned by man's will nor loveliness, but in His grace determined to set His love upon unworthy sinners, for the praise of His glory!
Now, for a few weeks in midweek Bible study we have the privilege of considering "WHY CAN We Be Saved?" And with this 3rd question, the Bible focuses our hearts and minds upon the ATONEMENT.