What had to happen to Christ first before we could appropriate salvation by faith?
Before salvation could be appropriated by faith, Christ had to suffer, die, and be smitten for our offenses—the work of the cross: His death, burial, and resurrection. He was smitten once, not repeatedly, and then arose victorious over sin and death.
Les explains that on this side of the work of the cross—meaning His death, burial, and resurrection—we appropriate that finished work by faith, not by another crucifixion. But first Christ had to suffer, die, and be smitten for our offenses, as pictured by the rock smitten in Exodus 17. He was smitten only once, went to the cross once, and does not go again and again. After arising victorious over sin and death, we now appropriate it through fellowship, speaking, communication, and prayer—praising and petitioning Him.