Christ’s Triumph Over Death: The Once-for-All Sacrifice

The Once-for-All Sacrifice

Unlike Old Testament sacrifices which needed to be repeated often, Christ’s sacrifice was once for all people and lasts for all time. This single phrase—”once for sins”—revolutionizes everything. The old covenant required endless repetition: daily sacrifices, weekly offerings, annual atonement rituals. Each sacrifice pointed forward to the final sacrifice but could never actually remove sin permanently (Hebrews 10:4). They covered sin temporarily but couldn’t cleanse and remove sin permanently.

But Christ’s sacrifice was different—utterly complete, entirely sufficient, permanently effective. One sacrifice. One time. For all sins. For all people who would believe. Forever. No repetition needed. No supplemental offerings required. No additional atonement necessary. When Jesus declared “It is finished” from the cross, He meant exactly that—the work of atonement was complete (John 19:30).

This matters profoundly for how we understand salvation. We’re not saved by our ongoing sacrifices, religious rituals, or moral efforts. We’re saved by Christ’s finished work, accomplished once in history, and applied personally when we believe. Our role isn’t to add to His sacrifice but to receive its benefits through faith.

The Just for the Unjust

The substitution is stark: “the just for the unjust.” Christ, the only perfectly righteous person who ever lived, took the place of utterly unrighteous sinners. He who committed no sin became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21). He who knew no disobedience bore the punishment for our rebellion. He who deserved only blessing received the curse we earned (Galatians 3:13).

This exchange is the heart of the gospel. God doesn’t save us by overlooking our sin or lowering His standards. He saves us by satisfying His justice through a substitute who voluntarily takes our place. The wrath we deserved fell on Christ. The righteousness we lacked is credited to us. The penalty we earned He paid. The acceptance He deserved we receive.

What comes next is the amazing reason Christ took our place: “that He might bring us to God.” Sin’s primary damage isn’t merely guilt or shame—it’s separation from God. We were alienated, cut off, enemies of the One for whom we were created (Colossians 1:21). Christ’s sacrifice removes every barrier, tears down every dividing wall, opens the way into God’s presence. Now we who were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13).

Death and Victorious Resurrection

“Being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit”—Christ’s death was real. He truly died, experiencing the full horror of physical death and spiritual separation from the Father. But death couldn’t hold Him. During the three days of Jesus’ death, He went by the Spirit to preach to the demons who are bound in hell due to their utter wickedness in the days of Noah.

These spirits in prison were so evil that even after 120 years of Noah’s preaching, only his family believed and were saved from God’s judgment of the worldwide flood. Peter uses this historical example to emphasize both God’s patience and His ultimate judgment. God waited with divine longsuffering, giving ample opportunity for repentance. But when that patience ended, judgment came decisively—only eight souls were saved through water while the wicked world perished.

Baptism as Antitype: The Symbol and Its Reality

Peter explains that baptism is an “antitype”—a symbol pointing to a greater spiritual reality. The key to understanding this passage is recognizing what baptism symbolizes: being placed into Christ, our ark of safety. Just as Noah’s family found deliverance inside the ark while judgment fell on the world outside, believers find safety in Christ while God’s judgment for sin falls on Him instead of us (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Peter carefully clarifies what baptism is not: “not the removal of the filth of the flesh.” The physical act of water washing doesn’t save. External ritual, no matter how sincere, cannot cleanse the soul. Water baptism doesn’t remove sin any more than Noah’s flood cleansed those who perished in it. The power isn’t in the water but in what the water represents.

What baptism does symbolize is “the answer of a good conscience toward God”—the internal reality of genuine faith. This refers to the believer’s response to the gospel: repenting of sin, trusting Christ’s finished work, and receiving forgiveness. Baptism is the outward picture of this inward transformation. It’s the visible declaration that you have died with Christ (going under the water) and risen to new life with Him (coming up from the water) (Romans 6:3-4).

The true power behind baptism’s symbolism is “the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Christ’s victorious resurrection validates His sacrifice, proves His victory over death, and secures our justification (Romans 4:25). Because He lives, we live. Because He conquered death, we conquer. Because He rose, we rise. Baptism doesn’t accomplish this salvation—it pictures the salvation Christ accomplished and we received by faith.

Christ’s Present Position

After Jesus’ resurrection, He was exalted to the position of great praise, honor, and worship. Peter concludes with Christ’s current status: “who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.” The suffering Savior is now the sovereign Lord. The crucified Christ is now the crowned King. The rejected stone has become the chief cornerstone (1 Peter 2:7).

At God’s right hand, Christ holds the position of highest honor and authority. Every spiritual being—angels, authorities, powers—submits to His rule. This includes both good angels who serve Him gladly and fallen angels who will eventually bow unwillingly (Philippians 2:10-11). No power in heaven, on earth, or under the earth rivals His supremacy.

This exaltation matters for suffering believers. The One who calls us to endure persecution isn’t a distant, powerless figure but the reigning Lord who conquered death and rules all creation. When we suffer for righteousness, we align with the ultimate Victor. When trials overwhelm us, we remember that Christ who understands suffering now reigns in glory. When enemies threaten us, we know that Christ has subjected all powers to Himself.

Suffering can be the means to one’s greatest triumph, as seen in Christ. His voluntary suffering—unjust, excruciating, unto death—ultimately led to His victorious resurrection, exaltation, and eternal glory. Our suffering, though different in purpose and magnitude, follows the same pattern: present pain leading to future glory, temporary trials producing eternal weight of blessing (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Reflection Questions

1. How does understanding that Christ’s sacrifice was “once for all” change how you view your relationship with God? Does it free you from thinking you must earn or maintain salvation through your efforts?
2. Peter uses Noah’s flood to illustrate both God’s patience and His ultimate judgment. How should this dual reality—God’s longsuffering and His certain justice—affect how you view both evangelism and unrepentant sin?
3. What does it mean practically that baptism symbolizes being “in Christ” where God’s judgment falls on Him instead of you? How does this “ark” imagery affect your sense of security in salvation?
4. Christ who suffered unjustly now reigns in supreme authority with all powers subject to Him. When you face trials, does this truth comfort you? How does knowing the suffering Savior is now the sovereign Lord affect your endurance?

Prayer

Consider how Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice accomplished what endless religious rituals never could—bringing you to God through His substitutionary death and victorious resurrection, securing your place in the ark where judgment cannot reach you.

If today’s devotional on Christ’s sacrifice blessed you, consider exploring these related series:

• Salvation Series
• Life of Jesus
• 1 Peter Devotional Series