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What Is "Kinsman Redemption"?
It could be said that the Bible is a written document explaining the history (and also the future) of a certain people called Israel. The Bible also explains the covenants and the plan of salvation for these people. The Bible was written to, for, and about a people called Israel. This very simple truth must be acknowledged if we are to understand what is meant by the term "kinsman redemption". In today’s Christian world this word (redemption) is spoken many times by the world’s ministers, however it is a shame that generally the true meaning of "redemption" is never questioned, and therefore never explained. It seems many of today’s Christians are taken in by certain "religious sounding" words, and therefore love to speak and hear these words, which gives them a "comfortable" feeling. Sincere Christians will without hesitation confess that Jesus Christ is their "redeemer", however as we shall see, Christ must be a "kinsman" in order to be their "redeemer". They are not aware of this truth, simply because as a rule they never care to understand how and why certain words (such as redeemed) are biblically used and interpreted. This pamphlet will attempt to explain why the word "redeemed" is biblically used.
Most of modern day Christianity is on the theological premise that God is on a "dispensational" program. In other words, it is believed that God has "dispensed" with the plan of salvation for his people Israel; hence the term "dispensational". Most churches realize, that according to the Bible, the covenants were never intended to be shared with other people (other that Israelites). Therefore sincere Christians want God to somehow "bend the rules", or make it possible to distribute his covenants to include the whole world. Distribute means "dispensation", which is the basis and foundation for the false belief known as "dispensational theology". Notice that according to the Noah Webster Dictionary, the word "dispensation" means distribution.DISPENSATION, n. [L. dispensatio. See Dispense.] 1. Distribution ; the act of dealing out to different persons or places.
It is also believed by most of the world’s churches that God has divided the ages of history with each age having a different "plan"; which allows God to deal with people of all time periods in the matter of salvation. This type of theology and deception destroys the true purpose of the covenants, and also destroys the true meaning of what is known as "kinsman redemption"; as this pamphlet will explain. By this deception it is believed that God does "change" (the covenants), or has a "dispensational" plan to make salvation applicable for different people in all the world. It plainly states in Heb. 13:8 and Mal. 3:6 that Christ is the same today and forever, as he was in the past; and the sons of Jacob (Israel) are not consumed, because Christ does not change (the covenants).
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (KJV)
Malachi 3:6 For I [am] the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. (KJV)Please understand what is implied in this verses! For God to have a "dispensational" program would mean that God altered and changed his covenants to make them "suitable" for people other than his people Israel. This is the reason that most Christians attempt to "spiritualize" the covenants, and also "spiritualize" the seed of Abraham. My booklet, "Abraham's Covenant and Baptism" explains in detail what is meant by "Abraham’s seed". What does the deception and false teaching known as "dispensational theology" have to do with the biblical meaning of the word "redeemed"? Allow me to explain. The word "redeemed" is no. 01350 in Strong’s Lexicon, and is found one hundred four times in the Bible. Please notice it is also translated as "kinsman", "kinsfolks", and "kinsman’s part"; and "redeemed" can also biblically be translated as "purchase". This is very important!
01350 ga'al {gaw-al'}a primitive root; TWOT - 300; v AV - redeem 50, redeemer 18, kinsman 13, revenger 7, avenger 6, ransom 2, at all 2, deliver 1, kinsfolks 1, kinsman's part 1, purchase 1, stain 1, wise 1; 104 1) to redeem, act as kinsman-redeemer, avenge, revenge, ransom, do the part of a kinsman 1a) (Qal)1a1) to act as kinsman, do the part of next of kin, act as kinsman-redeemer
Notice also that to redeem means to act and "do the part of next of kin". This is known as the law of "kinsman redemption", which is explained in many verses in the book of Leviticus. In order for Jesus Christ to be a lawful redeemer for his people Israel, he had to "act the part of a kinsman" to purchase his people with his own blood. Christ could not be a lawful redeemer if he was not a kinsman to his people Israel. Please understand this truth! This truth is at the heart and core of understanding what "kinsman redemption" is all about! Jesus Christ was genetically and biologically a kinsman to a people called Israel, because Christ (as God in the flesh) was born into the physical seed-line of Abraham. See Heb. 2:16.
Hebrews 2:16 For verily he took not on [him the nature of] angels; but he took on [him] the seed of Abraham. (KJV)
The point I want to make is that the words "kinsman" and "redeemer" must go hand in hand, otherwise Jesus Christ could not be the redeemer for his people Israel. It is a biblical fact that the people of Israel, during the rule of the old covenant, were in the possession of Jesus Christ. However as a result of rebellion and the worship of false gods, Christ had to put away and divorce his people, which were his wife. The wife of Christ is explained in detail in my booklet, "What Is the Church?". Therefore after Israel was put away in punishment they no longer shared in the covenants, promises, and inheritance. Jesus Christ had to act the part of a "kinsman redeemer", and purchased (bought back) his people Israel so that they once again were in legal standing to inherit the promises. This truth is very carefully explained in my booklet, "Lost Israel and the Gentiles". Notice in Acts 20:28 that the word "purchased" (redeemed) is used to show that Christ shed his blood to buy back his people, which started the New Testament Church of God.
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (KJV)
Notice also in Eph. 1:13-14 that the Spirit is given, which is the earnest of our inheritance, (the word earnest means a "down payment"). The phrase; "until the redemption of the purchased possession" is used to explain that "redemption" can mean in a future sense.
Ephesians 1:13-14 In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. (KJV)
The word "redemption" in the New Testament is no. 629 in Strong’s Lexicon. Study this meaning carefully, and notice that it could simply be explained to mean the end result of what "redeemed" was designed to accomplish. Redemption could be explained as the past tense of redeem.
629 apolutrosis {ap-ol-oo'-tro-sis} from a compound of 575 and 3083; TDNT - 4:351,nf AV - redemption 9, deliverance 1; 10 1) a releasing effected by payment of ransom1a) redemption, deliverance 1b) liberation procured by the payment of a ransom
In other words, redemption is the releasing, deliverance, and liberation that the payment of a ransom brought about. Christ’s shed blood was the price and ransom for redeeming Israel. Therefore after Israel was redeemed they are now waiting for what is known as the "redemption". The promise of inheritance of the righteous saints is still yet future, as explained in Heb. 11:39.
Hebrews 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: (KJV)
The righteous saints are also waiting for the resurrection, which is explained in Rom. 8:23 as the "redemption of our body" (note the word "redemption"). The resurrection of glory could also be called the "day of redemption". Read carefully Rom. 8:23 and Eph. 4:30.
Romans 8:23 And not only [they], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body. (KJV)
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (KJV)This pamphlet has explained that "kinsman redemption” does not apply to people other than a people called Israel. However it is very important to understand that God has not "turned his back" on other people. God does provide for other people their kind of salvation. Please understand this, and this pamphlet has in no way excluded other people from the overall plan of God! This pamphlet has only addressed how "kinsman redemption" applies to a people called Israel. This truth must be understood, and it therefore means that the people called Israel are held accountable in their system of worship, and their response to the new covenant. The Bible repeatedly warns us that it is possible to lose our rightful inheritance to glory. It is very true that Christ has finished the work of redeeming us by shedding his blood, however that does not mean that we are assured of the "redemption". Redemption can only be realized if we strive in correct doctrine, and building the Church of God. We will then be found worthy of the resurrection to glory in the "day of redemption".
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