Since the 1600s, the challenge has come more persistently against the meaning of Christ's death. This attack has concentrated upon the atonement of Jesus Christ and called it an universal atonement. According to this position, Christ did not die for any one in particular, but all mankind in general. In His death, Jesus merely provided the means for salvation, which made it possible for all mankind to secure salvation. In short, the death of Christ, they say, did not actually secure the salvation of any one; it only made it possible.

To many, these statements appear Biblically correct. Yet, they contain subtle deviations from true Biblical doctrine. To err on the atonement of Jesus Christ, the central doctrine of Scripture, carries serious implications upon virtually all other doctrines. Note Charles Spurgeon's warning on this very issue:

"The doctrine of redemption is one of the most important doctrines of the system of faith. A mistake on this point will inevitably lead to a mistake through the entire system of our belief." (Hayden 108)

In contrast, the Biblical truth concerning the death of Jesus Christ contradicts these popular, but false, ideas. It presents a death that actually saves sinners. It explains that Christ's death actually worked and accomplished its purpose: to provide payment for sin in full for the sins of God's chosen people. Again, Charles Spurgeon spoke to this question:

"We hold that Christ, when He died, had an object in view, and that object will most assuredly and beyond a doubt, be accomplished. We measure the design of Christ's death by the effect of it." (Hayden 109)

Numerous Scriptural references describe Christ's death in exactly these terms. In particular, Galatians 1.1-5 sets forth three aspects of these truths clearly and concisely. From this passage, I want to examine with you this Biblical truth: Jesus Christ gave His life as a Substitute for the sins of God's people to deliver them from sin. I pray that the Holy Spirit will use these truths in your life to clarify the truth to your heart, convict you of sin, and convince you of your true position before God .

A selfless death
To all mankind, death is a certainty. It takes many forms, but it has one common thread. Death comes upon all mankind: sometimes by accident, sometimes by mistake, sometimes by disease. It is something that happens to all of us.

But the death of Jesus Christ has no equal in history. Life was not taken from Him, nor did it occur by accident. As stated in Galatians 1.4, "(He) gave Himself..." In an entirely selfless act, Jesus laid down His life: freely, lovingly, completely, voluntarily. In His own words, Jesus described His death this way in John 10:17-18:

"Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. {18} No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father."

Again, I refer you to Galatians 1.4, which says that He gave Himself. No precious thing like gold, silver, or precious stones could meet God's demands. Neither would an angel or other created spirit being fulfill the Father's requirements. Only the gift of Christ Himself could redeem sinners. The Spirit of God explains this gift in 1 Peter 1:18-19:

"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; {19} But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:"

In short, Jesus died a selfless death. No one took His life from Him. He gave Himself, freely, completely, and voluntarily.

A substitutionary death
By definition, a substitute takes the place of another person, place, thing, or concept. It contains two key elements: replacement and a specific object that the substitute replaces. Otherwise, substitution does not occur. With particular emphasis, the Spirit makes clear in our text the substitutionary death of Jesus. Jesus did not just die. He died on behalf of and in the place of others.

This truth strikes at the very heart of the fallacy of universal atonement. As noted earlier, an universal atonement of Jesus Christ states that he did not die for any particular person. Yet the Scripture says, "(He) gave Himself for our sins..." It shows the death of Jesus to be a substitutionary death on behalf of specific people for a specific purpose.

In fact, Jesus Himself described His death as a substitutionary death for particular people. The following two references confirm it:

Matthew 20:28: "Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."

John 10:11: "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."

In addition, Jesus described His death this way in His explanation of Communion, the Lord's Table. With clarity, He revealed that He came to give His body and blood for others. He had in mind particular people, "His Sheep," God's chosen people, for whom He died as their Substitute. Note this emphasis in Luke 22:19-20:

"And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. {20} Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you."