178. M. If Christ paid the penalty, all men may sin as they like without fear.
C. Certainly not (Rom. vi. 1 sqq.; 2 Cor. v. 14, 15; Titus i. 15 and ii, esp. ii. 11-14; Heb.
x. 26-31; 1 John ii. 1-6, &c., &c.).
179. M. How could He make atonement for the world, since we are told in the Old Testament
that no man may make atonement for his brother (Ps. xlix. 7)?
C. That means atonement to save a man from death. The next verse says, "For the
redemption of their soul is costly" (Ps. xlix. 8). Hence Christ's death was necessary to
atone for sin. Christ was not a mere man, though He was truly man. "God was in
Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself" (2 Cor. v. 19). [See above, §§ 171, 172.]
180. M. It was unjust for the innocent to have to suffer for the guilty.
C. Christ gave Himself for us, voluntarily dying for our salvation (John x. 17, 18).
181. M. How can that be, when the Gospel tells us that He was seized by a band of soldiers
(Mark xiv. 46; John xviii. 12), and that with "strong crying and tears" He prayed to
escape death (Heb. v. 7)?
C. Scripture explains itself. If you read Matt. xxvi. 36-46; Mark xiv. 32-42; Luke xxii.
39-46; John xvii, you will understand Heb. v. 7; while John xviii. 6 shows that He had power to
resist,