I Do Have Faith
The solidity of the Christian gospel relies on Christ’s resurrection.
The central tenet of the Christian faith is the belief in salvation through Jesus Christ. This salvation hinges on the conviction that Christ not only died as a ransom for humanity's sins but also rose from the dead on the third day. This represents the gospel that the Christian faith embraces and shares. Affirming that Christ died on behalf of humankind entails acknowledging that he bore the penalty that humanity was destined to face because of sin.
The term “vicarious” denotes acting as a substitute. In theological terms, it signifies Christ's undertaking of humanity’s sin and suffering. The Christian belief in Christ’s atonement for the sins of the world is central to Christian theology. Moreover, Christ’s vicarious suffering on the Cross embodies prophet, priest, and king roles, as Calvin postulated.[1]
Jesus is regarded as a prophet because he unveils a future kingdom characterized by perfection sustained by him. In this realm, he will exercise absolute and perfect dominion over everything. As a priest, he presented himself as the perfect sacrifice, embodying unparalleled love and flawless obedience. This allowed him to serve as the sole ransom for achieving atonement for the sins of humanity. Only he could fulfil the requirements for eliminating sin, its consequences, and its impact on the lives of those who believe in his redemptive sacrifice. As a king, Christ represents the ultimate triumph over evil and its power and influence over a world that will ultimately undergo a profound transformation.
The vicarious suffering of Christ profoundly impacts believers’ lives when we consider the reality of the Trinity. Jesus Christ is the representative of humanity and the second person of the Trinity, the Son of God. It was not solely Jesus, the man, who died on the cross; it was the Son of God who offered himself as the ransom. This duality renders the vicarious sacrifice immaculate. The fact that a divine being served as a representative on behalf of his creation imbues extraordinary significance to this sacrifice, and its power is fully realized through the resurrection.
Another crucial aspect of Christian theology that provides coherence and meaning to the gospel is the resurrection of Jesus. In the words of the Apostle Paul:
“And if Christ has not risen, then our preaching is in vain [it amounts to nothing] and your faith is devoid of truth and is fruitless (without effect, empty, imaginary, and unfounded).” 1 Corinthians 15:14 AMPC
The solidity of the Christian gospel relies on Christ’s resurrection. Therefore, without the resurrection of Christ, the vicarious act that took place on the cross would lose its significance, solidity, and validity.
The centrality of vicarious atonement is of significant to the faith of millions who believe in the gospel. It makes the faith of believers worldwide more relevant, as vicarious suffering is the means by which their salvation is not only obtained but also guaranteed. The Bible clearly states that the reality of Jesus’ resurrection supports the gospel Christians believe in.
The resurrection of Jesus serves as the cornerstone of the truth in the gospel upheld and preached by the Christian Church, setting it apart from other religious groups, doctrines, and philosophies. The resurrection of the Son validates the vicarious atonement. In contrast, the resurrection of Christ attests to the Father’s role, enacted through the power of the Holy Spirit, in bringing about the resurrection.[2] The reality of the act in which the second person of the Trinity served as a vicar and suffered the wages of sin gains validation through a divine and supernatural confirmation, as the resurrection was and continues to be. No other religious system, belief, or philosophy claims the object of its worship to have been brought back from death. The significance of what has been articulated here is that those who believe in the Christian gospel gain assurance, their faith is strengthened, and a deep sense of gratitude is engendered in their hearts, culminating in a desire to obey God and serve Him.
[1] Migliore, Daniel L.. Faith Seeking Understanding . 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2014, p. 192.
[2] Kärkkäinen, Veli-Matti. Trinity and Revelation. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2014, p. 259