Definition
The two works of Christ is an analytical concept of Jones that distinguishes the soteriological function of Christ’s death and resurrection into two qualitatively different saving works: (1) the death work (Passover level): imputative-forensic, through which sin is forgiven and guilt removed; (2) the life work (Feast of Tabernacles level): constitutive-real, through which the nature of the believer is actually transformed into Christ’s image. The first work forgives sin; the second work changes the sinner.
Usage in the Corpus
Stephen Jones
Jones develops the distinction as an explanation for why justification (the Passover work) removes guilt but does not yet transform the nature of the believer. The living work of Christ — his resurrection life imparted through the Spirit into the believer — is the constitutive saving work that characterizes the Feast of Tabernacles fulfillment. The firstfruits are the first to have fully appropriated the life work as well. This distinction is analytically related to the Lutheran and Reformed distinction “forensic justification / sanctification,” but Jones loads it with a stronger ontological transformation doctrine. [Jones, Creation’s Jubilee]