EGW SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7A

VII. The Cross Central in the Atonement

The cross must occupy the central place because it is the means of man's atonement and because of the influence it exerts on every part of the divine government.—Testimonies for the Church 6:236. 7ABC 464.1

The atonement of Christ is not a mere skillful way to have our sins pardoned; it is a divine remedy for the cure of transgression and the restoration of spiritual health. It is the heaven-ordained means by which the righteousness of Christ may be not only upon us, but in our hearts and characters.—Letter 406, 1906. 7ABC 464.2

Without shedding of blood there is no remission for sin. He must suffer the agony of a public death on the cross, that witness of it might be borne without the shadow of a doubt.—Manuscript 101, 1897. 7ABC 464.3

Adam listened to the words of the tempter, and yielding to his insinuations, fell into sin. Why was not the death penalty at once enforced in his case?—Because a ransom was found. God's only begotten Son volunteered to take the sin of man upon Himself, and to make an atonement for the fallen race. There could have been no pardon for sin had this atonement not been made. Had God pardoned Adam's sin without an atonement, sin would have been immortalized, and would have been perpetuated with a boldness that would have been without restraint.—The Review and Herald, April 23, 1901. 7ABC 464.4

In the councils of heaven the cross was ordained as the means of atonement. This was to be God's means of winning men to Him. Christ came to this earth to show that in humanity He could keep the holy law of God.—Manuscript 165, 1899. 7ABC 464.5

Christ gave Himself an atoning sacrifice for the saving of a lost world.—Testimonies for the Church 8:208. 7ABC 464.6