Quickened Together.  Many believers when giving a r,sum, of the record given

in the epistles of the identification of the redeemed with the work of the

Saviour, set forth in glorious earnestness and joyful praise, that we are

reckoned to have been 'crucified with Christ', to have 'died with Christ', to

have been 'buried with Christ', to have been 'raised with Christ', to be even

now potentially 'seated together in Christ Jesus', and finally in the day

that is fast approaching, to be 'manifested with Him in glory'.  Here are six

most wondrous associations, yet one has been and is often omitted.  We are to

reckon that we have been 'quickened together with Christ' (Eph. 2:5), thus

completing the sevenfold identification, and giving a present encouragement

as well as the hope of the future glory.  Let us 'possess our possession'.

(See the chart in the article Reckoning and Reality, p. 171).

Ransom.  While the basic meaning of the word translated 'atonement' in the

Old Testament is 'to cover', we find that it does not mean 'to cover up', for

it is written, 'He that covereth his sins shall not prosper'.  The word means

not only 'to cover', but by usage, to protect and to compensate, to cover by

compensation.  The Oxford Dictionary gives as one of the meanings of cover:

'To be sufficient to defray a charge, or to meet a liability; to

compensate a loss or risk; to protect by insurance or the like, to

provide cover, to insure oneself'.

Among the words used to translate the Hebrew kopher is the word

'ransom'.  The very presence of such a provision in the Scripture testifies

to the fact that God is a moral Ruler, for sheer omnipotence uninfluenced by

moral issues could brush aside all objections, or dispense with both

Redemption and Atonement.  It also shows that man too is a responsible moral

The references to a ransom, that covers by compensation, include:

'Sum of money' Exodus 21:30.  This sum of money is accepted instead of

the death of the man whose ox had killed a man or woman. 'He shall give

for the ransom of his life whatsoever is laid upon him'.

'Atonement money' Exodus 30:16.  This is said to be

a 'ransom' for the soul.  In Numbers 3:49 a similar money equivalent is

called 'the redemption money'.

'Satisfaction' Numbers 35:31.

No 'ransom' or 'atonement money' availed

for a murderer.

The New Testament contains a number of references to the price paid in the

redemption of the sinner.

'Ye ... were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold

... but with the precious blood of Christ' (1 Pet. 1:18,19).

'What? know ye not that ... ye are bought with a price?' (1 Cor.

'The church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood' (Acts