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We are Saved by His Life — 13 Comments

1. Beautifully stated William! If we would only grasp this precious truth and ingest it and understand it for all that it means it would transform our lives. This is the heart and soul of the Gospel. Thank you for laying this out so beautifully! Thank you Jesus for your unspeakable gift!!!

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2. Thank-you William for the well articulated Gospel in Christ. It means a lot to me. And is a good reference in sharing. I feel the same as Richard. The link of the plan of salvation is helpful also.

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3. Thank you both for your thoughtful comments. Happy Sabbath to all!

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4. Pastor William, I want to thank you so much for this well written article on what many Christians do not realize, of which Romans 5:10 and Hebrews 5, speaks about.
   I would also like to share how this 1 of 3 parts of the key of David of which gives Jesus the right in Rev 3:7 to open the door in Heaven as our High Priest.

   So here are the three parts to the key

   1. Jesus must take on humanity in the house of David, fulling the request of the Father in Ps 110: 1 & 2 there is more to this right hand position as well.

   2. Jesus must live a perfect life, just as the lamb was to be perfect for sacrifice. Hebrews 5: 5-10 and as you brought out and by the life we are saved in Rom 5:10.

   3. Jesus pays for the penalty of sin on the cross, which defeats Satan and causes him to be cast out of heaven as the representative of this world and gives Jesus the right to be our High Priest and representative in Heaven. And so the cross is the final part of the key, that was laid upon His shoulder in Isaiah 9:6.

   So yes without that perfect life the cross would have meant nothing. I am keeping this article because it is so well explained. Thanks again and for all your faithful articles.

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5. Firstly I would like to say that I enjoy reading your featured insert to the lesson each week. I look forward to them as I do with Imagen’s comments, which I haven’t seen for a while.
   However, I’m not sure I understand your point of what you have written. First you brought out how the levites were in Abraham’s loins. Therefore the levites collected tithes. But then you liken our sinful lives as being perfect in Christ because he was made of sinful flesh but didn’t sin. Christ didn’t have any descendants so we couldn’t have been likened to the levites and Abraham.
   So how could I have died with him on the cross? I wasn’t in his loins.
   I believe that when we accept Christ as our personal saviour we are saved but not by the same means as the levites and Abraham.
   Then there is the verse , “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. Romans 5:19 NKJV
   No where do I see the word “all”. I only see the word “many”.
   If the word was “all” then all will be made righteous leaving no wicked or a second death.
   Therefore I have trouble understanding the meaning of what you are trying to say.

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   • Hi Jen, thank you for reading and sharing your questions. First the lineage recorded in Matthew and Luke illustrate how Jesus was a descendant of Adam just like we are. Therefore He took the same flesh we have. Second, in Romans 5:19 since all were made sinners we know in that verse many means all.

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   • Hi, Jen. You raise some interesting questions.

     The point about the Levites being in Abraham's loins was made by Paul in the Book of Hebrews. By this reasoning, when Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, the Levites were participants in that payment. And, according to Scripture, God has made Jesus a Priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek. What Paul was saying is that the priesthood of Jesus is far greater than the priesthood of the sons of Aaron, which is now obsolete.

     It is a frequent New Testament theme that the believer is "in Christ" in a spiritual sense. Paul uses this idea to suggest that, when Jesus died our death on the cross, that was also the end of our lives, as we have known them, so we are now to live for Jesus.

     As I read William, he is suggesting that, if we died in Christ, when He died on the cross, we also lived a perfect life in Christ before that. In other words, His perfect performance is credited to us as if we had lived that perfect life. And this was only possible because Jesus, besides being the divine Son of God, was also fully human.

     Jesus did take our weak and degraded human nature, but of course not our propensities (our inherent tendencies) to love sin and to engage in it. As the Second Adam, Jesus succeeded where the first Adam failed, and not in the full strength and vigour of the primordial human race.

     I hope these comments help. Have a blessed day!

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6. Hello William, I don't know if I'm misunderstanding you, but what you have shared in this post are tenets of "universal justification", and what is referred to as the "solidarity of mankind", using the very same "proof texts". Paul's point in Hebrews 7 has been made into something else to "prove" we died WITH Christ on Calvary, which is not true as it has been applied in this teaching. The truth is that Jesus died as the substitute for sinners to spare us of this just punishment/wages for our sin, and we may be spared IF we repent and believe in the Gospel(Mark 1:15). Jesus' death in my place will only count for me IF I accept Him as my Savior and Lord. Remember, we are saved “by grace through FAITH”, not by birth.

   This teaching(which you have only partially covered) has been addressed by our General Conference leaders, and after a 4 year study, concluded it was not in harmony with scripture and our fundamental beliefs. The majority report may be found online(ok, just checked and I see it was removed[?]), but the minority(mostly members of the 1888 Message Study Committee who were a part of the group appointed to study this teaching) have not accepted the conclusion of the majority and continue to promote this teaching in our churches wherever it is allowed by a congregation. The continuation of promoting this teaching once it was rejected by the leaders violates the counsel given us from the Lord in both Scripture and the Testimonies.

   I must point out that in Genesis 22, Isaac did not die with the ram, but the ram died in Isaac's place, who instead returned home alive with his father Abraham. This is also the teaching of the sanctuary, where the sinner brings a sin offering, then returns home alive and justified while the animal is consumed on the altar of sacrifice. Also, Rom 5:12 explains itself doesn't it? All deserve death because "all have sinned" on their own. Ezekiel 18 is clear that the guilt of sin remains only with the sinner. I am not guilty of Adam's sin, and he is not guilty of mine. IF Adam's guilt was transferable to his seed, then Jesus, also the Seed of Adam as you correctly point out in your reply to Jen, is guilty as well, and with that guilt, could never have risen from His tomb, and we would all be doomed. The Truth is that all come into this world without guilt or righteousness, with a choice to make, just like Adam and Eve. Our individual choice will either condemn or justify us, and no one can choose for us. We share in Christ's death(to self) only as we likewise surrender our will to God(Ps 40:8, Rom 6:1-7). It must be our choice and deliberate action.

   I would also point out that Romans 5 must remain in context, beginning with verse 1, which is a conclusion of Romans 4. Paul in this chapter is addressing the justified, not the impenitent sinner(Rom 5:9-11, etc). "Many will be made righteous" only IF they exercise faith, not because they were merely born as children of fallen Adam. This idea of the "solidarity of mankind" as it is used in this teaching cannot and does not remove free will and personal accountability from anyone. While we are all from Adam, we each stand alone before God and cannot inherit the guilt of another, but will be guilty also if we transgress God's will/law of our own free will.

   It is my hope and prayer that all will "take heed"(Mark 13:5), and believe the clear and simple teaching of the Truth found in God's word.

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   • I am not really into labels like "universal justification." All I know is the universe has been universally condemned by sin, but Jesus provided justification for all mankind. As I already explained using Scripture and Spirit of Prophecy, unless we resist the salvation provided, Jesus will draw us to Himself and salvation. I am more interested in what the Scriptures clearly teach than making them fit inside man made labels.

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     • William, I don't disagree with your thoughts about labels and seeking truth, but we must be certain of what scripture is in fact teaching. In regard to Heb 7:5, what leads you to conclude from this verse that you died with Jesus on His cross? Also, Romans 6:6 is referring to those who have followed the teaching of Christ to "deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me". This is not about being with Jesus on His cross dying for our own sin (especially if having never chosen to do so), but it is about choosing to repent and surrender our will as Jesus consistently taught. Heb 7:5 is not a literal truth since it is not possible (when we understand human physiology, for if Laban had not tricked Jacob with Leah, there would have been no Levi, Judah, etc), but Paul is simply making the point that the priesthood of Christ in heaven is superior to the Levitical priesthood which only represented the work of Christ in type, which is the conclusion Paul summarizes in Heb 8:1.

       Peter warns about dissecting Paul's "hard to be understood" (2 Pet. 3:16) illustrations from the body of his writings, which often leads to wrong interpretations, as this verse has been used by others who teach this same idea, though it is incorrect. You and I were never on Jesus' cross, and neither was the thief who was only next to it on his own cross. Christ alone propitiates FOR us, not WITH us (to be accepted, the sacrifice was to be "without blemish." We are severely blemished!). Yet we must be in the "LIKENESS of His death..." as Paul points out in Romans 6:3-6. See how context makes the meaning clear? Isolated snippets can often mislead.

       Although the unfallen worlds and holy angels are affected by the existence of sin, they have no condemnation, only "the soul that sins." (Eze. 18:4).

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       • Hi, Robert. Of course I'm not William, but seeing I agree with what he said in his article, maybe my input could be useful to the conversation. You asked:

         What leads you to conclude from this verse that you died with Jesus on His cross?

         A good answer might include Galatians 2:20, which I cited in an earlier comment. Another passage would be 1 Corinthians 5:14-15. As you have pointed out, we do want to understand what Paul's inspired point is, but he definitely uses that language.

         You mention the matter of choice, but I think we can all agree that Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, whether or not the whole world chose to allow Him that "privilege."

         And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. 1 John 2:2

         Also see 2 Corinthians 5:19.

         Will that propitiation save the whole world? Yes, it will save the human race corporately, but sadly not everyone individually. Some will perversely refuse to be drawn to the love of God in Jesus, as we all know.

         William began with Paul's statement that Levi was in the loins of Abraham when the latter gave tithes to Melchizedek. Of course that was not literally the case, so you are correct that we did not literally die on the cross with Jesus. It's a spiritual concept, straight from the inspired apostle, intended for the willing believer to apply it to himself. Justification is provided for all, but sadly, it will be lost on those who refuse the gift of God's Son.

         You make the point that, whatever Paul meant by our dying with Jesus, that could not include our having participated in providing the atonement -- not even for ourselves. Right on!

         I believe that Paul indicates that the whole human race came under condemnation when Adam sinned (1 Corinthians 15:22), but that Jesus has redeemed the race. He has made provision for every individual (all of whom have sinned) to be a part of that redeemed race. But, as Ezekiel pointed out, those who stubbornly cling to their sins, despising the grace of God, will sadly die.

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         • Hello R.G., appreciate your response and effort to help lead us all into our common desire to know the Truth. This is the reason for this website.

           I believe that all of Hebrews 7:1 - 8:1 needs to be carefully considered when we assign any interpretation to a single verse within that passage. In fact, all truth on that point should be considered as well. For instance, Jesus parable in Luke 16:19-31 when considered by itself at face value, leads many to believe in a living soul after "death" of the body. Yet in our fellowship, we realize this conclusion goes against all the truth on the matter, and we realize Jesus was using a well-known "lie" to teach a truth regarding probation for every soul. In the same manner, Paul often uses ideas that of themselves may not be accurate, but it makes a clear and truthful point worthy of consideration if we keep it in context.

           My response to this post is due to having been confronted by this teaching(which I don't believe William is promoting, as far as I can tell) which leads to some very gross errors, which are based on these same conclusions of Heb 7:5, Rom 5:12, etc, and from these interpretations and other considerations, they teach that Jesus "cannot" die for the sins of others, but that WE must pay the penalty ourselves, and thus, by this explanation of Heb 7:5, Jesus took all of us to the cross, where WE died for our own sins(Eze 18:4). (that's just the very brief highlights)

           Perhaps you can see why I am concerned of where this could lead?

           The passages you cite above (Gal 2:20, etc) speak for themselves don't they, and never imply that we died WITH Jesus on His cross. Likewise, we are not guilty of Adam's sin at birth, before we even know there is a God who has given us His Law to obey. This idea of "solidarity"(their term) is not supported by scripture, and would negate freewill. I/you are born with the opportunity to live and receive the truth or if so choosing, to sin. We then will receive the "reward"(Rev 22:12) for our choice and resulting life's work. If we were indeed guilty through Adam, imagine Jesus, the seed of David, and what HE would be "guilty" of(I believe David's sin was far greater)!!! How could He then propitiate for sinners(including David) with this guilt received by His birth?

           I would suggest a closer look at what Paul is saying in 1 Cor 15:22,23 in its context. If we are condemned by Adam's sin(how and why?), then also, all are saved by Jesus' life/death for us as stated in verse 23. Yet we know this would mean no freewill. So we must understand both correctly. Keep in mind Eze 18:4,20 as well as Mark 16:16, John 1:12; 5:24, Acts 2:37,38, etc. Also, 1 Cor 15:22 states that "AS in(the case of) Adam", or in the same manner because of having sinned ourselves by a freewill choice, like Adam. However, no one carries the guilt of another sinner or the righteousness of another saint. We are saved or lost by our own free choice and resulting works. I was NOT on Jesus' cross, I did NOT eat from the forbidden tree. I DO have my own sin to repent of, AS with Adam, and have a holy life to live, as with Jesus(but not in my own strength!).

           Regarding your earlier comment(below), I am not afraid of the truth, and that in Christ we may(and must) become partakers of the Divine nature "in this present world"(Titus 2:12). When justified by faith(when we have repented, surrendered our will, and taken Jesus' yoke upon us...etc), Jesus' righteousness is IMPUTED, as you state. But we must continue to grow in grace and be sanctified by the IMPARTED righteousness of Christ(Titus 2:11-14). Only those thus sanctified are saved(see Acts 20:32, etc), and only the justified can obtain this sanctification. Salvation is a complete package deal. I think you agree with this.

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7. I believe that the science of salvation will be our study throughout eternal ages. If this is true, then at the present time there must still be much for us to learn.

   This article looks at our redemption from a bit of a different angle, but seemingly not one that is foreign to Scripture. William suggests that Romans 5:19 is saying that Adam's sin made us guilty as a race, and verse 17 indeed seems to bear this out. Death is a consequence of sin, and we all die just because our first parents sinned. We are guilty as a race.

   It is in this sense that Jesus bore our sinful flesh to the cross. He certainly was not sinful Himself! Did we die with Jesus, on the cross?

   I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20

   It seems clear that Paul was willing to appropriate this idea to himself. I believe that Jesus' death on the cross is the reason that both the righteous and the wicked are ever resurrected. This would mean that there is a universal benefit to that extent.

   William then reasons that, if we died with Christ, we also lived a perfect life in Christ. Why not? As a practical matter, this simply means that His righteousness is imputed to us. In other words, Christ is our righteousness!

   Robert seems uncomfortable with this, thinking that this line of reasoning could lead to universalism, the idea that everyone will be saved in the end. I can resonate with this concern, as some of the teaching that has been circulating within the church seems to at least be hinting toward such an extreme.

   However, I see nothing in William's article that would suggest that he is tending in that direction, or that he is encouraging his readers to do so. If the life and death of Jesus made ample provision for all to be saved, then justification is available to all, if only all would receive it by faith!

   We could go into a discussion of what real faith means. It is certainly much more than a mere intellectual assent to a set of doctrines. And yes, it will show in our actions. But it is faith, not works, nonetheless -- placing our confidence in Someone other than ourselves.

   As I see it, the track of truth and the track of error lie close together. So, trying to stay as far away as possible from every known error can be counterproductive. Thank you, William, for stimulating thought along an oft-neglected, but Scriptural, track.

   Yes, unless we resist, we shall be drawn. The love of Jesus is just that wonderful!

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