How do we know Christ's sacrifice is central to salvation?

Throughout Scripture, the significance of Christ’s sacrifice cannot be overstated. Hebrews 9:22 states, 'without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins,' highlighting that atonement comes only through bloodshed. Moses’ near-death experience in Exodus 4 illustrates this divine principle, as God sought to kill him due to his failure to circumcise his son—indicating the severity of sin’s consequences, yet also pointing to Christ, whose blood was shed to spare God's people. The doctrine of substitutionary atonement demonstrates that Christ's blood is not just a means of forgiveness but is foundational to the assurance of salvation, as Romans 5:9 says, 'we have now been justified by his blood.'