Q: Can the resurrection of Christ be considered as part of His atoning sacrifice for the sin of the entire world?
A: Consider what the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 4:23. A very literal translation of this verse would read: “. . . who [Jesus] was handed over on account of our transgressions, and was raised on account of our justification.” In the Greek, the same preposition (‘dia,’ here rendered “on account of”) is used both in connection with Christ’s death and His resurrection.
To speak of our justification as being effected through Christ’s death or to speak of it as being effected through His resurrection are both proper. The resurrection was needed (from our perspective) to validate for us what took place at Calvary. It is true that the expression “It is finished” was a definitive declaration from Jesus to the world that the atoning sacrifice of Christ was complete. No more sacrifice for sin was necessary. Once and for all, Jesus removed the guilt and punishment of sin by His holy blood shed on behalf of the world. But it is also true that His rising on the third day was necessary to furnish the proof for us that what took place at Calvary was really accomplished in the eyes of the Heavenly Father. When the resurrection of Christ is stated, this always implies and includes His atoning, sacrificial death. The resurrection of Jesus emphasizes the all-sufficiency of Christ’s death and it serves as a divine seal of that fact.
The Apostle Peter also seemingly ascribes justifying power to the resurrection of our Lord when he writes, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…” (1 Peter 1:3).
