REDEMPTION
INTRODUCTION
A. (Eph.1:7-12) Redemption is a biblical term. The word “redemption” occurs 23 times in Scripture – 12 in OT & 11 times in the NT. The word “redeem” occurs 46 times – 43 in OT & 3 in NT. The word “redeemed” occurs 59 times – 59 times in the OT & 6 times in the NT.
B. The word “redemption” is from a compound Greek word, one word means off or away & the other means something to loosen with. Thus, the words together means riddance or a releasing effected by payment of ransom.
C. We sing about being redeemed – “I have been redeemed” (sweet is the song I’m singing today)
A. While all words have a particular meaning, they may also imply certain things.
a. school teacher implies college education & certification
b. doctor implies college education, medical school, & training
B. Since the word “redemption” means a releasing effected by payment or ransom, then the following are implied:
a. the word payment implies debt (Ez.18:20; Rom.6:23) – the debt is not owed to the Devil as some mistakenly believe
b. the releasing implies captivity (Deut.7:8; Joh.8:34)
c. the word ransom implies helplessness (Rom.5:6a; Rom.3:23; Eph.2:1-3)
II. SPIRITUAL REDEMPTION
A. (Eph.1:7) Our text is one of the spiritual blessings we enjoy in Christ Jesus (Eph.1:3).
B. What our text says about “redemption”:
a. it is in Christ – “in Him”
b. it is enjoyed by Christians – “have redemption”
c. it is accomplished through Christ’s blood – “through His blood” – Jesus, our Redeemer, purchases their deliverance by offering Himself as payment for their redemption (Eph 1:7; 1 Pet 1:18)
d. it equals forgiveness – “the forgiveness of sins” - men are held under the curse of the law (Gal 3:13), or of sin itself (Rom 7:23 f)
e. it is possible through God’s grace – “according to the riches of His grace”
We have a Redeemer (Job 19:25; Psa.19:14; Gal.3:13; Tit.2:14; 1Pet.1:18).