This is the second post in a series of 4 looking at some 5th Christian hymns as recorded in Stephen Shoemaker’s book, THE FIRST CHRISTIAN HYMNAL. The first post was Jesus in the Old Testament.
The Prophet Joel proclaims: “And it shall be that whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved…” (3:5) He is claiming God’s lordship over everyone in creation, not only the Jews. Christ comes to save all people – He is the Savior of the entire world. This theological truth is repeated frequently in this collection of early Christian hymns because it was a main focus of the Gospel proclamation. One hymn says Christ …
… destroyed the sins of the world. Through his love of humankind, He saved us by the precious cross, He granted resurrection and life to all. (p 45; Emphases in this and all quotes is added.)
This theme is repeated in many forms in these hymns:
You who were born from the Virgin, O Christ God, for the sake of the entire world. (p 47)
… you are God and saved us all. … By your resurrection, Savior, you saved the human race and delivered it from the corruption of hell with power. (p 53)
… by His resurrection he delivered the world from darkness. (p 183)
… you granted resurrection to all by your cross. (p 201)
This truth that Christ saves everyone from sin, death, hell, was incorporated into the prayers of the early Church:
But because of Your goodness You receive everyone who turns to You with a humble heart and a repentant spirit. (My Orthodox Prayer Book, Kindle Location 798-799)
Christ’s saves the entire cosmos from the grip of sin and death. Christ’s work and message is universal, applying to everyone and everything in the created cosmos.
Next: Christ Destroys Hell
Fraternized 