Substitutionary atonement; Christ's death defeats sin, death, and the devil
The AG affirms substitutionary atonement as central to the gospel: Christ died in the place of sinners, bearing the penalty of sin and satisfying divine justice. The SFT states that Christ was 'made sin for us' and that 'by His blood atonement was made for the sins of the world.' This substitutionary understanding is complemented by a strong Christus Victor dimension — the cross is also the defeat of Satan, sin, and death.
The Christus Victor theme is especially prominent in Pentecostal preaching and practice. Because the AG holds that healing and deliverance are part of the 'full gospel,' the atonement is seen as encompassing not only forgiveness of sins but also physical healing. Drawing on Isaiah 53:4-5 and Matthew 8:17, many AG theologians and leaders have taught that divine healing is 'in the atonement' — that Christ's suffering at the cross addressed not only guilt but also sickness.
This 'healing in the atonement' doctrine is a distinctive of the AG and classical Pentecostalism more broadly, though the denomination acknowledges that the full realization of physical redemption awaits the resurrection. The SFT lists Divine Healing as one of its fundamental truths, alongside salvation, Spirit baptism, and the Second Coming.
Key Distinctions
- Primary theory:
- penal substitution — Christ bears the penalty of sin in place of sinners
- Scope of atonement:
- universal — Christ died for all people
- Propitiation affirmed:
- yes — Christ's death satisfies divine justice
Scripture References
Sources
- Assemblies of God Statement of Fundamental Truths, §12: Divine Healing