But Christianity without redemption is the husk without the kernel.  It lacks the essential ingredient of life and power, the power to change the human heart.

In stark contrast, it was the Gospel of redemption and salvation which changed and converted the highly civilised and immoral Roman Empire.  An example is to be found in St Peter’s First Letter addressed to the Christians in Asia Minor who were under the threat of imminent persecution by the Imperial Government under Nero.  What St Peter gives is a factual description of real people as he knew them to be.  You were redeemed, he told them, “with the precious blood of Christ…Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls” NRSV, 1 Peter 1:19,8,9, our emphasis).