Christian Redemption Definition and Origin

Summary. The dictionary definition of redemption is “the act of purchasing back something previously sold”. The Christian definition of redemption is more specific and is focused on Christ, salvation and the destructive effects of sin. The Christian definition of redemption is “the act of delivering from sin or saving from evil“. In the beginning starting with Adam and Eve, mankind did not have a need to be redeemed because there was no sin. A Redeemer was needed when Adam and Eve experienced the destructive aspects of their sin and were separated from God. This is when they and all of mankind had and still have a need for a Redeemer to re-establish their relationship with God.

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The need for redemption started when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. Even though God loved them, He cursed them for their disobedience and sent them out of the Garden of Eden. God by His nature cannot be in the presence of sin and disobedience. At this point mankind needed redemption, a savior, to remove the curse and to reconcile them back to God. Mankind's savior is Jesus Christ who loves us and whose act on the cross has provided all of us with the opportunity for redemption. See below for Biblical advise and scriptures concerning the Christian redemption definition and the need for mankind's redemption.

In The Beginning Mankind Did Not Need To Be Redeemed.

To understand the redemption definition, we must understand that at one time we were in fellowship with God. We were not separated from God. There was no need for redemption. There was no sin in the world.

See Scripture Commentary: Genesis 1:31 advises us that on the sixth day of creation God called everything good.

Sin Is the Root Cause of Mankind's Need for Redemption.

To be redeemed we first have to be lost, separated, and captive, be in slavery, and so on. In the case of the Christian redemption definition, we are separated from God and need redemption to be able to be reconciling back to God.

See Scripture Commentary: Genesis 3:6 tells of the original sin where Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit.

Sinful Mankind Needs Redemption Because They Became Cursed and Separated From God.

When sin entered mankind, God cursed us and separated mankind from Him. In the Christian redemption definition, sin came first, and then God cursed us and separated mankind from Him. God did not hate us. He loves us. It is that He hates sin.

See Scripture Commentary: Genesis 3:17 tells us of the curse that God gave to Adam for his disobedience.

Jesus, Our Savior Paid The Ransom For Us To Be Redeemed.

The key part of the definition of redemption is that a ransom must occur in order for redemption to occur. In the case of Christian redemption the person being ransomed is all of mankind. They are in need of a savior because they are separated from God because of their sinful disobedience. The savior is Jesus Christ who loves us and whose act on the cross has provided all of us with the opportunity for redemption. The recipient of the ransom is God.

See Scripture Commentary: Romans 5:9 advises us that Jesus is our redeemer.