Full and Sufficient Sacrifice

[Matthan]

Why do you think some denominations do not accept Jesus' sacrifice on the cross as full and sufficient atonement for our sins?

Matthan <J><

 

[eutychus]

Because they don't have faith that Jesus can save them and they don't have faith in God. They don't believe in salvation by grace, and they do not believe that it is a gift we receive. In the same way even we who do accept Jesus' sacrifice on the cross as full and sufficient atonement lack faith in his power to save because we get caught up in legalism. We think that something we can do will add to the situation, or will draw us closer to salvation or farther away. We limit God.

 

[GreenEyedLady]

Why do you think some denominations do not accept Jesus' sacrifice on the cross as full and sufficient atonement for our sins?

Matthan <J><

Yes i do think that. Any demonination that requires work for salvation from its members does not accept Jesus sacrifice as FULL and sufficient!
GEL

 

[Gold Dragon]

Fortunately, you guys aren't talking about Catholics.

Catholic Catechism : Christ's Redemptive Death in God's Plan of Salvation


Christ's death is the unique and definitive sacrifice

613 Christ's death is both the Paschal sacrifice that accomplishes the definitive redemption of men, through "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world",439 and the sacrifice of the New Covenant, which restores man to communion with God by reconciling him to God through the "blood of the covenant, which was poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins".440

614 This sacrifice of Christ is unique; it completes and surpasses all other sacrifices.441 First, it is a gift from God the Father himself, for the Father handed his Son over to sinners in order to reconcile us with himself. At the same time it is the offering of the Son of God made man, who in freedom and love offered his life to his Father through the Holy Spirit in reparation for our disobedience.442

Jesus substitutes his obedience for our disobedience

615 "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by one man's obedience many will be made righteous."443 By his obedience unto death, Jesus accomplished the substitution of the suffering Servant, who "makes himself an offering for sin", when "he bore the sin of many", and who "shall make many to be accounted righteous", for "he shall bear their iniquities".444 Jesus atoned for our faults and made satisfaction for our sins to the Father.445

Jesus consummates his sacrifice on the cross

616 It is love "to the end"446 that confers on Christ's sacrifice its value as redemption and reparation, as atonement and satisfaction. He knew and loved us all when he offered his life.447 Now "the love of Christ controls us, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died."448 No man, not even the holiest, was ever able to take on himself the sins of all men and offer himself as a sacrifice for all. The existence in Christ of the divine person of the Son, who at once surpasses and embraces all human persons, and constitutes himself as the Head of all mankind, makes possible his redemptive sacrifice for all.

Catholic Catechism : Justification and Grace

I. JUSTIFICATION

...

1994 Justification is the most excellent work of God's love made manifest in Christ Jesus and granted by the Holy Spirit. It is the opinion of St. Augustine that "the justification of the wicked is a greater work than the creation of heaven and earth," because "heaven and earth will pass away but the salvation and justification of the elect . . . will not pass away."43 He holds also that the justification of sinners surpasses the creation of the angels in justice, in that it bears witness to a greater mercy.

...

II. GRACE

1996 Our justification comes from the grace of God. Grace is favor, the free and undeserved help that God gives us to respond to his call to become children of God, adoptive sons, partakers of the divine nature and of eternal life.46

 

[jcright]

Hmm...just my opinion, but no one likes to admit that they are helpless to save themselves.

 

[SumTinWong]

Fortunately, you guys aren't talking about Catholics.

Did somebody say that they were?

 

[BT]

Why do you think some denominations do not accept Jesus' sacrifice on the cross as full and sufficient atonement for our sins?

Matthan <J><

Because it's too easy.

 

[Terri]

I agree with jcright.

I think people are blinded by pride. I know I was for the longest time. I can actually remember thinking that it was so nice that God had made a way to save "bad" people. Of course, I was a "good" person so I didn't need to be saved. I am so grateful that God didn't give up on me even though it took quite a long time for Him to show me how sinful I was and how much I needed a Savior.

Wow, it is such a burden lifted off of you when you realize that you can stop trying to get to heaven on your own righteousness and accept Jesus' righteousness instead.

 

[daveleau]

Why do you think some denominations do not accept Jesus' sacrifice on the cross as full and sufficient atonement for our sins?

Matthan <J><

I think it is work of human logic that it can not be forever if we continue to sin. This preconception has been brought into exegesis and passages have been wrongly attributed to "backsliding".

 

[Matthan]

There are a lot of wonderful comments here, and thanks to everyone. BT, I think you hit the nail right on the head with your reply. Some people just will not accept "the simplicity that is Christ."!!! Oh, is that ever a shame!!!

To address the post that mentioned one particular denomination, I did not discriminate with my thread posting. There are a number of denominations that require "baptism" (water baptism, of course) for salvation. Some require participation in certain rituals. some require that their members follow the decrees of their church leaders, past and present. The list goes on and on. Jesus tells us that simple belief in Him will always lead to our salvation to eternal life. Some men then tell us more is actually needed, that Jesus was not really telling us everything, etc.

Which is what prompted my original question. What do you think?

Matthan <J><

 

[Gold Dragon]

To address the post that mentioned one particular denomination, I did not discriminate with my thread posting. There are a number of denominations that require "baptism" (water baptism, of course) for salvation. Some require participation in certain rituals. some require that their members follow the decrees of their church leaders, past and present. The list goes on and on. Jesus tells us that simple belief in Him will always lead to our salvation to eternal life. Some men then tell us more is actually needed, that Jesus was not really telling us everything, etc.

Which is what prompted my original question. What do you think?

Like some in this thread, many evangelicals agree with you and believe that other denominations do not believe in the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice. Often, the belief of those evangelicals is based on an incomplete understanding of the beliefs of those other denominations.

 

[ZiSunka]

Why do you think some denominations do not accept Jesus' sacrifice on the cross as full and sufficient atonement for our sins?

Matthan <J><

1. Because it's a lot easier to follow a bunch of rules than it is to actually admit that you are a sinner without hope of saving yourself.
2. Because it's a lot more satisfying to work for your salvation than it is to accept it as a gift.
3. Because in order to accept salvation through Christ alone, you have to submit yourself to the idea that Christ is who he says he is and has the authority to save.
4. Because they don't think it is important.
5. Because they don't really believe in sin.
6. Because they doubt the athenticity of Christ's existence.
7. Because they believe they have a better idea.
8. Because they believe in a "newer gospel" that supercedes the Bible.

 

[MbiaJc]

There are a lot of wonderful comments here, and thanks to everyone. BT, I think you hit the nail right on the head with your reply. Some people just will not accept "the simplicity that is Christ."!!! Oh, is that ever a shame!!!

To address the post that mentioned one particular denomination, I did not discriminate with my thread posting. There are a number of denominations that require "baptism" (water baptism, of course) for salvation. Some require participation in certain rituals. some require that their members follow the decrees of their church leaders, past and present. The list goes on and on. Jesus tells us that simple belief in Him will always lead to our salvation to eternal life. Some men then tell us more is actually needed, that Jesus was not really telling us everything, etc.

Which is what prompted my original question. What do you think?

Matthan <J><

The simplisity of the Gospel is the way it is hid from the proud and prudent. They can't concieve that it is a free gift given without any work to earn it on their part.

 

[Terri]

Like some in this thread, many evangelicals agree with you and believe that other denominations do not believe in the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice. Often, the belief of those evangelicals is based on an incomplete understanding of the beliefs of those other denominations.

Well, there are groups that say that they believe in the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice and then in the same breath spout out a list of things you must do to have your sins forgiven or that you must do or not do to not go to hell.

Their stating that they believe in the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice is a waste of good breath because their actions nullify that statement.

I've really enjoyed this thread--a lot of good answers!! Lambslove's and MbiaJc's being the last in a long list of good answers!!

 

[Gold Dragon]

Well, there are groups that say that they believe in the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice and then in the same breath spout out a list of things you must do to have your sins forgiven or that you must do or not do to not go to hell.

Their stating that they believe in the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice is a waste of good breath because their actions nullify that statement.

I've really enjoyed this thread--a lot of good answers!! Lambslove's and MbiaJc's being the last in a long list of good answers!!

I agree that there is often a disconnect in some denominations between what is taught and what is practiced. However, that is an issue of improper praxis and not improper doxy.

 

[ZiSunka]

I agree that there is often a disconnect in some denominations between what is taught and what is practiced. However, that is an issue of improper praxis and not improper doxy.

But if their praxis and their doxy don't match, how can you know what they really in their hearts believe? Doesn't the Bible say that our hearts will be known by our outward actions? No matter what they say they believe or what is in their catechism or confession of faith, whatever they actually DO is what they actually BELIEVE.

 

[Matthan]

Wow!! So many great responses!! So much Christian wisdom!!! Thank you all for your comments. Terri and Lambs Love, yours were especially touching. Thank you both very much.

Matthan <J><