How does Romans 3:25 connect with Old Testament sacrifices for sin? Romans 3:25 – The Ultimate Sacrifice “God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice, through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand.” Old Testament Foundations for Atonement • Leviticus 17:11 – “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls.” • Key offerings (Leviticus 1–7) – Sin Offering: blood applied to the altar to “make atonement” (Leviticus 4:20). – Guilt Offering: restitution plus sacrifice (Leviticus 5:15–16). – Burnt Offering: total surrender, aroma pleasing to the LORD (Leviticus 1:9). • Central idea: substitutionary blood covers (Hebrew kaphar, “to cover”) the sinner so God’s wrath is satisfied and fellowship restored. The Day of Atonement Picture • Leviticus 16: the high priest enters the Holy of Holies once a year. – Blood of the bull and the goat sprinkled on and before the mercy seat (Leviticus 16:14–15). – Scapegoat carries confessed sins into the wilderness (Leviticus 16:21–22). • Purpose: “to make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the uncleanness of the Israelites” (Leviticus 16:16). Hilastērion – Christ as the Mercy Seat • “Hilastērion” in Romans 3:25 is the same Greek word used in the Septuagint for the “mercy seat.” • Ark of the Covenant: law tablets inside, cherubim above, blood on the lid—God’s righteous law met by sacrificed blood. • Jesus is now the true mercy seat: His own blood satisfies justice and invites mercy (Hebrews 9:5, 11–12). Blood That Fully Satisfies • Hebrews 9:22 – “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” • Hebrews 10:4 – “It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” • 1 Peter 1:18–19 – redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish.” • Jesus’ sacrifice is once for all (Hebrews 10:10), final and sufficient where animal offerings were temporary and anticipatory. God’s Forbearance and Passing Over • Romans 3:25b – God “passed over the sins committed beforehand.” • Every Old Testament sacrifice functioned on credit; full payment awaited the cross. • Acts 17:30 – “God overlooked the times of ignorance, but now commands all people everywhere to repent.” • Calvary publicly demonstrated the righteousness of God, proving He was never indifferent to sin. Passover Echoes • Exodus 12:13 – “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.” • 1 Corinthians 5:7 – “Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” • Just as Israel sheltered under lamb’s blood from wrath, believers trust the blood of Jesus. Faith in His Blood – The Required Response • Romans 3:22 – “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” • John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8–9 – salvation is by grace through faith, not works. • Believers rest, not in repeated rituals, but in a finished work (John 19:30). Living Under the Perfect Sacrifice • Assurance: No condemnation for those in Christ (Romans 8:1). • Access: Bold approach to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:14–16). • Adoration: Offer our bodies as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). • Proclamation: “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). Summary Connections • Old Testament sacrifices pictured substitution, blood atonement, and temporary covering. • Romans 3:25 declares Jesus as the once-for-all fulfillment—both sacrifice and mercy seat. • God’s righteousness is vindicated, His grace revealed, and sinners are justified through faith in the shed blood of Christ. |
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