Basics: An Overview

                                                         Basics: Jesus

After Adam sinned, he tried to cover up his nakedness with a loincloth made from leaves. But
Adam's attempt to cover his sin did not remove his guilt before God. So God, in His mercy, made a
garment of animal skin to cover Adam’s shame.

This act of mercy was only a temporary fix. Since Adam had sinned and separated himself from God,
this covering would not remove the sin, but only postpone the penalty of eternal separation.
Therefore, through Moses, God established a yearly animal sacrifice as an atonement – a continued,
temporary covering of the sins of man.

God’s plan, however, was to do more than just cover mankind’s sin and postpone the penalty. He
determined to become the perfect, final sacrifice Himself and forever remove the sin of man, forever
deliver him from the bondage of self.

So, God sent a seed of Himself to the earth to be born of a virgin. As instructed by the angel, He was
given the name Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua: Jehovah saves. ) Though he was the Son of God, Jesus
humbled Himself taking the likeness of man. As He walked among men, He was tempted just as we
are – but never sinned. In this, He lived as an example for us – showing us how to live free from sin.

After teaching the truth of God and performing many miracles, Jesus willingly laid down His life   and
allowed godless men to torture Him to death, nailing Him to a cross of wood. But since it was
impossible for death to hold God in its grasp – Jesus rose to life again.

This pure, sinless sacrifice paid the penalty of sin for all mankind and was the last sacrifice ever
needed.   Jesus’ death does more than just atone, just cover sin – the blood He shed washes sin
away. This is good news: You don’t have to stay the same anymore – you don’t have to continue
separating yourself from the God who created you.

But, in order to be saved – delivered from the bondage of sin – you must let God apply the cross of
Christ to your life.   You must die to your sin.   But you will need His help to do so.

1. Genesis 3:7-8
2. Genesis 3:21
3. Leviticus16:29-34
4. Matthew 1:23-25
5. Luke 2:21
6. James Strong, LL.D., S.T.D, The Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Dictionary of the Greek New Testament,
copyright 1990 by Thomas Nelson Publishers, #2424; and James Strong, LL.D., S.T.D, The Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance
of the Bible, Dictionary of the Hebrew Bible, copyright 1990 by Thomas Nelson Publishers, #3091.
7. Luke 22:70
8. Philippians 2:6-8
9. Hebrews 4:15
10. I Peter 2:21-23
11. John 10:17-18
12. Acts 2:22-25
13. Hebrews 10:10-18
14. Luke 9:23-25
15. Romans 6:7