Protestants are convinced that Christ's crucifixion is utterly sufficient to atone for our sins. For many, this is the gospel: Nothing can be added to the cross—not my works or my penance, not self-denial, sacraments, or sacrifice.
Then along comes Paul to disrupt our complacency: “I fill up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ in my flesh” (Col. 1:24).
We compile New Testament citations—mostly from Paul himself—to prove that Jesus's death accomplished our salvation once and for all. The Father sets forth Christ as a propitiation. We have been justified by his blood. Christ died for our sins, was wounded for our transgressions, bore our sins in his body on the tree, freed us from sin by his blood. The blood of Jesus—not the blood of Peter, Paul, or Polycarp—cleanses us from all unrighteousness.
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