How do we know faith in Christ's atonement is necessary for salvation?
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Faith in Christ's atonement is essential for salvation as it is the means through which we partake in His sacrifice and righteousness.
According to J.C. Ryle, faith in Christ's atonement is likened to the Israelites needing to consume the Passover lamb to be spared during the plagues (Exodus 12). Similarly, without faith in Christ’s sacrifice, the sinner does not possess eternal life. This spiritual act of 'eating' signifies a deep, personal trust in the death of Christ for one’s sins, allowing for union with Him. Thus, faith is not an optional condition but an absolute necessity, as stated in passages like John 6:53-54, which declare that without partaking in Christ’s body and blood through faith, there is no life in the individual.
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