The Deadly Danger of Substitution Theology

Jesus died on our behalf not as our substitute.

We know this because nowhere does the Bible teach that Jesus died "in our place."

Jesus died "on our behalf" NOT "in our place."

With Nineveh the penalty was remitted in the CONDITION of "repentance and faith" with no substitution for the penalty required. The penalty was freely remitted.

With the parable of the unforgiving servant the debt owed was remitted on the CONDITION of repentance and faith and thus the debt was reinstated when that wicked servant violated said condition in refusing to forgive his fellow servant. There was no substitute made for the penalty, the penalty was freely remitted as well as freely reinstated.

The death of Christ is the MEANS by which we approach God. We read this in Hebrews...

Heb 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

Heb 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

The repentant sinner is to approach God VIA THE BLOOD in the new and living way. The "new and living way" replaces the Old Covenants "old and dead way" which was via OUTWARD RITUAL. The "new and living way" is a covenant of the heart, not a covenant of the letter.

We approach in the "new and living way" which ensures we are WALKING IN THE LIGHT and thus because the "condition of repentance and faith" is met God FREELY REMITS SIN.

Heb 10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God;

Heb 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1Jn 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

The Bible plainly states...

Heb 9:16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

Jesus had to die because He had to put an end to the Old Testament and establish the New Testament. That is what the Bible plainly states.

The Old Covenant was established with blood...

Heb 9:18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.

Heb 9:19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

Heb 9:20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.

Heb 9:21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.

Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

The New Testament is established with the blood of Jesus...

Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Heb 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

The purpose of the New Testament is to PURGE THE CONSCIENCE OF DEAD WORKS that we may SERVE THE LIVING GOD.

In other words it is via "entering into covenant once and for all" with God that our past transgressions and vain efforts are put away once and for all. Thus with a clear conscience we can serve God in an acceptable manner. We enter into an ABIDING STATE which is a MANIFEST WALK WITH GOD. In other words we enter into...

The "Spirit of life IN Jesus Christ" which is REDEMPTION IN CHRIST.

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Rom 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Rom 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

Rom 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Rom 3:29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:

Rom 3:30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

Rom 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

CAREFULLY read the above two passages AGAIN AND AGAIN.

Redemption IN Christ ensures PURITY OF HEART and a ZEALOUSNESS FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS because we are "walking according to the Spirit" having "died to sin." Thus FAITH upholds true righteousness. This is why Paul wrote...

Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Genuine salvation via the cross ensures a "redemption from ALL iniquity" and the establishment of "heart purity." This is why Peter wrote...

1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

1Pe 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

1Pe 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

1Pe 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Notice that Peter connects "redemption via the blood" with "heart purity established through obedience via the Spirit."

Paul wrote...

Rom 7:2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

Rom 7:3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

Rom 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

Notice the TRANSITION between the Old and the New through the body of Christ.

There is NO SUBSTITUTION.

The substitution concepts found in the Governmental, Satisfaction and Penal models pervert the plain teachings of the Bible. They serve to draw the mind away from the ONCE AND FOR ALL CLEANSING that is to occur in a genuine redemption experience. Instead of people "entering into covenant via the blood and being purged of dead works to serve the living God," a state of being pure and zealous for rightoeusness, they are instead induced to view the death of Christ in an ABSTRACT JUDICIAL MANNER where they "trust that satisfaction was made."

In "trusting that satisfaction was made" it creates a MENTAL PICTURE that the death of Christ established a PROVISION which is applied IN POSITION to the believer. Whether CONDITIONS of "obedience" and "stop sinning" are added (as in the case of the Governmental Model) as a requirement is irrelevant because the actual FUNCTION of the cross is destroyed.

The Bible establishes that REMAIN STEADFAST is essential...

Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Which is why this warning is given...

Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

Heb 10:28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

Heb 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

The warning of Hebrews 10:26-29 is perverted by every single substitution teacher by necessity of their erroneous substitution foundation. Due to the PROVISIONAL NATURE of Justification in the substitution framework these people simply have to believe in their mind that the "sacrifice remains" in principle no matter what happens, willful sin or otherwise. That is why these people will often teach that this warning is in the context of "going back to the law."

Hebrews 10:26 is a warning presented in the context of the cleansing found in...

Heb 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

Heb 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

Heb 10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God;

Heb 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

...being a ONCE AND FOR ALL CLEANSING NOT TO BE REPEATED. It is in the context of a REAL PURITY OF HEART and REAL ZEALOUSNESS FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS being established within the repentant sinner. Thus in that context if one "willfully sins" then the PURGING SACRIFICE does not remain, it is voided. The purpose as to why Jesus gave Himself is thus destroyed as it relates to the willful sinner. THAT IS THE CONTEXT.

That is why there is no sin/repent/sin/repent cycle in genuine salvation ans this is one thing that FEW IF ANY people are warning people about today. The substitution message is a DIRECT ATTACK on this understanding.

Charles Finney, a man upheld by many was totally deceived by the substitution lie. As a result of swallowing that lie Charles Finney believed that an individual could sin and not surely die in the context of a sin/repent cycle. Here is proof...

QUOTEHe who does not habitually overcome the world, is not born of God. In saying this, I do not intend to affirm that a true Christian may not sometime be overcome by temptation; but I do affirm that overcoming the world is the general rule, and falling into sin is only the exception. This is the least that can be meant by the language of our text, and by similar declarations which often occur in the s, Bible. Just as in the passage: "He that is born of God doth not commit sin, and he cannot sin because he is born of God." Nothing less can be meant than this--that he cannot sin habitually--cannot make sinning his business, and can sin, if at all, only occasionally and aside from the general current of his life. In the same manner, we should say of a man who is almost universally truthful, that he is not a liar. I will not contend for more than this, respecting either of these passages; but for so much as this I must contend, that the new-born souls here spoken of do, all of them, habitually overcome the world. The general fact respecting them is, that they do not sin, and are not in bondage to Satan. The affirmations of Scripture respecting them must, at least, embrace their general character. END QUOTE

Charles Finney
http://www.gospeltruth.net/1845OE/451105_victory_faith.htm
http://www.gospeltruth.net/1851Sys_Theo/st46.htm
Such is the fruit of the Substitution Lie. It sets the mind up to reject the "once and for all cleansing" aspect of the genuine redemption experience by presenting the "death of Christ" in the "substitutional context" thus negating the ultimate purpose of purging the heart of a sinner of ALL iniquity.

Under this lie people can contend for "obedience" and "purity" but ALWAYS in the very deceptive context of "easy forgiveness" for occasional rebellion to God.

Jesus warned...

Mat 7:13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mat 7:14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Mat 7:15  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Strait is the gate and narrow is the way.

Strait - Stenos - G4728
Probably from the base of G2476; narrow (from obstacles standing close about): - strait.

Narrow - Thlibō - G2346
Akin to the base of G5147; to crowd (literally or figuratively): - afflict, narrow, throng, suffer tribulation, trouble.

We must STRIVE to enter into that straight gate, the gate which is full of obstacles.

Luk 13:23  Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
Luk 13:24  Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
Luk 13:25  When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
Luk 13:26  Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
Luk 13:27  But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. 

Striving and entering via the Strait gate is designed to have the result of PURGING INIQUITY that one no longer thus be a "worker of iniquity."

Satan knows this which is why false doctrines such as Substitution directly attack the MEANS by which one is rescued from the a state of "working iniquity."

The three main attacks occurring today are...

1. Penal Substitution - Premised upon the "inability" notion of the false doctrine of Original Sin where reconciliation is presented in the context of a purely legal transaction where the sinner literally swaps places with Jesus. This doctrine concludes that the Christian's sin is credited to Jesus (whom absorbs the punishment due) and that the "righteousness of Jesus" is credited to the Christian. Thus the Christian now has a CLOAK of "Jesus righteousness" which covers their ongoing "sinning state." In other words the "Christian" can now sin and not surely die because they "trust in Jesus" and thus have the "provisional transaction" applied to their account.

2. Satisfaction Substitution - Premised upon the notion God's infinite honour has to be satisfied in lieu of the infinite offense wrought by sin. In others words, for God to forgive sins a substitute had to be made which would offset the offense otherwise the honour of God would remain insulted. Basically the "satisfaction" wrought by the "infinite merit" of Jesus Christ serves to bring balance to justice.

3. Governmental Substitution - Premised upon the notion that in order for God to forgive sin without bring ill repute upon his Moral Government a "substitution for the penalty" had to be made. Thus the death of Christ served as a "substitute for the punishment" and therefore forgiveness is premised upon the "provision established" by the substitution. God thus upholds the notion that His law is important by offering a counterbalance to the remittance of the penalty.

All three views completely pervert what the Bible actually teaches. People are induced into "trusting that provision was made" instead of ENTERING INTO COVENANT ONCE AND FOR ALL. Thus the notion that one can actually "sin and not surely die" is subtly implanted in all three views. With the Penal View that sin is "paid for" and this "sins are forgiven in advance." With the Satisfaction and Governmental that "provisions was made" and thus "easy forgiveness" is obtained by "stepping back across the salvation line" so to speak.

Very few appear to be able to see this error which explains why many whom are deceived by the Satisfaction and Governmental views focus their attacks on "Calvinism" as being their great enemy. The truth is that the real enemy is the ENTIRE BABYLON SYSTEM of which Substitution Theology is held to pretty much universally, Calvinism is but one branch on the tree of error. Whether the substitution is connected to Original Sin (as in Calvinism and Arminianism) or not (as in Moral Government) is really irrelevant, the whole system is a system of error.

Luk 8:11  Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
Luk 8:12  Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
Luk 8:13  They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
Luk 8:14  And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
Luk 8:15  But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Luk 8:16  No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
Luk 8:17  For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.
Luk 8:18  Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

TAKE HEED THEREFORE HOW YE HEAR!!!