How do we know the work of the cross is effective for salvation?
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The effectiveness of the cross is assured by the biblical doctrine of substitutionary atonement, affirming that Christ died for the sins of the elect (1 Peter 3:18).
The work of the cross is foundational to the Christian faith as it establishes Jesus as the perfect substitute for sinners. According to 1 Peter 3:18, 'For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God.' This illustrates the effectiveness of the crucifixion; Christ’s sacrificial death satisfies divine justice and fulfills the requirement for atonement. The cross is not just an event but the culmination of God's redemptive plan, where Christ’s voluntary sacrifice brings righteousness to the believer, affirming that salvation is a gift that cannot be earned.
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