our substitute for the remission of our sins. The sonship of Jesus is emphasized (1:16; 2:20; 4:6), as is his lordship (1:3; 5:10; 6:14, 18). Salvation is secured only by faith in him (2:16; 3:5, 7, 9), and by faith believers become one “in Christ” (1:24; 2:17; 3:26, 28). The cross is central in this letter and has replaced the law at the apex of God’s salvation. The death of Christ for sins, which has defeated the dark cosmic powers (1:4), renders the Judaizers’ teaching null and void (3:1). In
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