Chapter 7—The Cross Central in the Atonement
The cross must occupy the central place because it is the means of
man’s atonement and because of the influence it exerts on every part
of the divine government.—
Testimonies for the Church 6:236
.
The atonement of Christ is not a mere skillful way to have our
sins pardoned; it is a divine remedy for the cure of transgression and
the restoration of spiritual health. It is the heaven-ordained means by
which the righteousness of Christ may be not only upon us, but in our
hearts and characters.—
Letter 406, 1906
.
Without shedding of blood there is no remission for sin. He must
suffer the agony of a public death on the cross, that witness of it might
be borne without the shadow of a doubt.—
Manuscript 101, 1897
.
Adam listened to the words of the tempter, and yielding to his
insinuations, fell into sin. Why was not the death penalty at once
enforced in his case?—Because a ransom was found. God’s only
begotten Son volunteered to take the sin of man upon Himself, and
to make an atonement for the fallen race. There could have been no
pardon for sin had this atonement not been made. Had God pardoned
Adam’s sin without an atonement, sin would have been immortalized,
and would have been perpetuated with a boldness that would have
been without restraint.—
The Review and Herald, April 23, 1901
.
In the councils of heaven the cross was ordained as the means of
atonement. This was to be God’s means of winning men to Him. Christ
came to this earth to show that in humanity He could keep the holy
law of God.—
Manuscript 165, 1899
.
Christ gave Himself an atoning sacrifice for the saving of a lost
world.—
Testimonies for the Church 8:208
.
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