DID CHRIST DIE IN VAIN?
(Hebrews 9:28)
M. W. Kiser

This word "vain" means that if certain things be so, then Christ died groundlessly, without a cause, uselessly. We are not unaware of useless deaths. We constantly see the reports of those who are victims of crimes, drunkenness, and terrorism. The death of Christ is the central point of our preaching.
1. The fulfillment of prophecy (Isaiah 53).
2. A fact of the gospel mentioned some 176 times (1 Corinthians 15:3).
3. An event essential to our salvation (Hebrews 2:9). If certain modern ideas be true, then Christ died in vain. What are some of them?

I. IF THE LAW OF MOSES IS STILL BINDING ON MEN TODAY.
A. There are many who have insisted on this idea down through the years.
1. The Judaizers of the first century (Galatians 4:21; Colossians 2:11, 16).
2. The sabbatarians make this same contention even today.
B. The law of Moses was removed by the death of Christ.
1. This is a clear affirmation of Holy Writ (Colossians 2:14).
2. The end was in view when it was given (Galatians 3:19; Matthew 5:17).
3. The Ten Commandments were a part of the law (2 Corinthians 3:7; Romans 7:4f).
C. The book of Galatians is a death blow to this idea of the law remaining (Galatians 1:6-9; 5:4; 2:21).

II. IF ALL GOD REQUIRES OF MAN IS TO BE MORALLY GOOD.
A. Men lived good moral lives before Jesus died (Matthew 19:16-21; Romans 3:23).
B. Moral goodness is essential, but not sufficient (Acts 10:1-4; 11:14).
C. By grace we are saved through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9; Acts 10:34-35).

III. IF WATER BAPTISM IS NON-ESSENTIAL TO MAN'S SALVATION.
A. Blood and Salvation are connected together (Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19).
B. Blood and Baptism are connected together (John 19:34; Romans 6:3-4; Revelation 1:5; Acts 22:16; Titus 3:5).

IV. IF ONE CHURCH IS A GOOD AS ANOTHER.
A. Preachers (?) are guilty of ridiculing the New Testament church with this idea.
B. Jesus Christ died that the church might exist (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:23-27).
C. There are no Biblical grounds to say that denominationalism is right
1. Jesus died to reconcile men to God in ONE body (Ephesians 2:16; 4:4).
2. He fervently prayed for the unity of his followers (John 17:20-21).
3. Unity is a divine, apostolic plea (1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:3-6).

V. IF THERE IS TO BE NO RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD.
A. There have always been those who deny the future resurrection.
1. A basic doctrine of the Sadducees (Matthew 22:23).
2. Some in the early church (1 Corinthians 15:12; 2 Timothy 2:18).
B. There are two witnesses which cannot be silenced.
1. The empty tomb of Christ (John 11:25; Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23).
2. How do we account for the faith and persecution of the apostles?
C. Some basic Bible truths concerning the final resurrection:
1. Christ's resurrection is our hope (1 Corinthians 15:14).
2. It is a source of comfort to us (1 Thessalonians 4:18).
3. It is the goal we saints are striving for (Philippians 3:11). Not something all men will gladly welcome! (John 5:28-29; Daniel 12:2).
One more thing. If you die lost, then for you Christ died in vain! Some will be lost; but this is not God's will (Romans 5:8; John 10:10; 1 John 2:2). -104 Calhoun Avenue, Sylacauga, AL 35150