Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1902-11-12
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
Eepio FOR che weel. beginning ".

Mopic For the week BEGINNING New.
10--Comment by Rev. 5. n. Doyle.
Topic-For ass-Tsa. nli. g; Luke XXI.
l19. %; Rom. y e-Sj / John III. Is.
The doctrine Of the at0nement, or
that Christ died "for me-" is the most
precious doctrine Of the word OF God
The expression "for me- as used in
abe New Testament in connection with
this doctrine means ''in my stead"
Christ did not die simply for an object
lesson on sacrifice or to set forth Gods
hatred Of sin, bat He died for us-died
anstead Of us. Had He not died we In
ourselves would have been compelled
70 bear the penalty OF our sins. But
since He died as our substitute we are
free from the penalty Of sin X we ac-
lcept His sacrifice for us, Christ's
atonement for our sins is accepted Of
God, and we escape eternal death and
receive eternal life.
No one can believe the Bible and
doubt or deny the atonement 1t is
purely a doctrine Of revelation. Ma.
ture and even history give us some
suggestions that look toward vicarteus
EAAtAAt4%f bAA AAAt1 AAti tut EANAA W.
revealing Gods great sacrifice OF Him
self. and this fact forms the GROWING
revelation OF Gods word. And here
this doctrine Is writ large. To reject
the atonement Is to reject the Bible or
at least any reasonable and sensible
Interpretation OF it. The testimony OF
sacred writer's upon this subject is
very complete, and II IL unanimously
upon one side. And when doctrine
is purely a matter Of revelation we
must accept the conclusions OF the
holy men who spake az they were
moved by the Holy Ghost.
/. The testimony of Isaiah. lisa. Hi
teaches clearly the vicarious character
of Christ's death. The seer Of God
speaks Of no human deIlverer, for none
ever appeared In Israel Nor does he
personify Israel herself, for she has
not died for others. He speaks Of the
promised Messiah. and he says. HE
was wounded for our tranSgresslons.
He was bruised Tor cur lniquities,
the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity
of US ALL" Could language be palmer?
Can any one deny that they refer TO a
substitution? And since they can be
applied to. Christ alone must His death
not have been gicariousf
.. The Testimony OF Christ. In con
nection with the institution Of the
Lords supper, which was TO common
crate His death. Jesus said. This cup
Is the New Testament Ia My blood.
which is shed for you" What can
''shed for you mean but substitution
Would God have sacrificed Christ sim
ply to have taught mankind a lessong
Never. Christs death was necessary
TO save mankind or He never would
have died
g. The testimony OF Paul God
commended His love toward us in that
while we were yet sinners Christ died
for us (Rom. v. s..
4 The testimony Of Peter. who
His own self bare our sins In His own
body on the tree" Thus Peter speaks
OF the character Of Christ's death our
sins were placed upon Him. and he
bare them. THE Lord laid on Him the
iniqnity Of us all" Conld this mean
anything else than substitution?
3. The testimony OF John Hereby
we perceive the love of God because
He laid down His life for us" Johns
opinion is seen 10 be in accord with
other inspired writers upon this sub
ject. God In Christ laid down His
life for us-for me.
Since Christ died for us we should
live for Him. He has substituted His
life for ours. and we should also sub
stitute His life for us. at Is no longer
/ that live; Christ nveth In me"
BIBLE READINGS.
lisa. iii. LIP; Matt. XVI. % IS; John
!. %; Gal II. 20; ILL., u. IA: Eph. IL,
~: IL Peter Il. 2l-25.