Definition and Etymology:
The term "atonement" refers to the reconciliation between God and humanity, achieved through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. The word itself is derived from the Middle English "atonement," meaning "at one" or "in harmony." In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word "kippur" is often translated as "atonement," signifying a covering or cleansing of sin.

Old Testament Context:
In the Old Testament, atonement is primarily associated with the sacrificial system established by God for the Israelites. The Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, was the most significant of these rituals, as described in Leviticus 16. On this day, the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people. Leviticus 16:30 states, "For on this day atonement will be made for you to cleanse you, and you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD."

The sacrificial system involved the offering of animals, whose blood symbolically covered the sins of the people. Leviticus 17:11 explains, "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul."

New Testament Fulfillment:
In the New Testament, the concept of atonement reaches its fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The sacrificial system of the Old Testament is seen as a foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate sacrifice. Hebrews 9:12 declares, "He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption."

The Apostle Paul emphasizes the atoning work of Christ in Romans 3:25 : "God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand." This passage highlights the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice, where He bore the penalty for sin on behalf of humanity.

Theological Significance:
Atonement is central to Christian theology, as it addresses the problem of sin and the means by which humanity can be reconciled to God. The doctrine of atonement underscores the holiness and justice of God, who cannot overlook sin, and His love and mercy, demonstrated through the provision of a Savior.

The atonement also emphasizes the necessity of faith in Christ for salvation. As stated in 1 John 2:2 , "He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." This universal offer of atonement requires a personal response of faith and repentance.

Practical Implications:
For believers, the atonement of Christ is the foundation of their relationship with God. It assures them of forgiveness and the promise of eternal life. The atonement also calls Christians to live lives of gratitude, holiness, and service, reflecting the sacrificial love of Christ in their interactions with others.

In summary, the concept of atonement is a profound and multifaceted doctrine that lies at the heart of the Christian faith, encapsulating the themes of sacrifice, redemption, and reconciliation.

Upon the Character of Balaam. Preached the Second Sunday after ...
... These of His commands they will obey; but as to others"why, they will make all the
atonements in their power; the ambitious, the covetous, the dissolute man ...
//christianbookshelf.org/butler/human nature/sermon vii upon the character.htm

The Rent Veil
... The special enclosure is broken up, and there is no inner sanctuary for the earthly
high priest to enter: typical atonements and sacrifices are at an end.". ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/the rent veil.htm

For what Is, or Can be the Fall of a Divine Adam under the Power.. ...
... Why is there all this stir about religions, expiations and atonements, why all these
priestly ordinations, consecrations, churches, sacraments, and prayers? ...
/.../address 146 0 0 for what is.htm

Theological Discussion
... Logically and biblically Dr. Horton calls to mind the fact that the atonement is
of God; that men need it; and that man-made atonements which minimize sin will ...
/.../jowett/my daily meditation for the circling year/theological discussion.htm

Epistle Lxiii. To Epictetus and to the Congregation of Assur?? ...
... entreating the Lord, nor forsake the Catholic Church, which has been appointed one
and alone by the Lord; but, continuing in their atonements and entreating ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxiii to epictetus and.htm

How the Kings of Asia Honored the Nation of the Jews and Made them ...
... Let them only be permitted to use the sacrifices derived from their forefathers,
with which they have been obliged to make acceptable atonements to God. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 how the kings.htm

Book 2 Footnotes
... God had ordered the Jews to demand these as their pay and reward, during their long
and bitter slavery in Egypt, as atonements for the lives of the Egyptians ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 2 footnotes.htm

Epistle Liv. To Cornelius, Concerning Fortunatus and Felicissimus ...
... can return to the Church not with prayers but with threats, or suppose that they
can make a way for themselves, not with lamentation and atonements, but with ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle liv to cornelius concerning.htm

A Treatise against the Heretic Novatian by an Anonymous Bishop.
... wickednesses first, that thou mayest be justified." [5420] While the way of mercy,
brethren, is open, [5421] let us entreat God with full atonements; let us ...
/.../a treatise against the heretic.htm

Sin and Grace
... now received the atonement. Christ has made atonements for us, and God has
accepted that atonement on our behalf. We also have received ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 54 1908/sin and grace.htm

Atonements (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Atonements (6 Occurrences). Exodus 29:36 and
a bullock, a sin-offering, thou dost prepare daily for the ...
/a/atonements.htm - 8k

Atoning (5 Occurrences)

/a/atoning.htm - 8k

Atonement-money (1 Occurrence)
Atonement-money. Atonement, Atonement-money. Atonements . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (DBY WBS YLT). Atonement, Atonement-money. Atonements . Reference
/a/atonement-money.htm - 6k

Atoned (8 Occurrences)
... Exodus 29:36 and a bullock, a sin-offering, thou dost prepare daily for the atonements,
and thou hast atoned for the altar, in thy making atonement on it, and ...
/a/atoned.htm - 8k

Self-same (17 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Leviticus 23:28 and ye do no work in this self-same day, for it is a day
of atonements, to make atonement for you, before Jehovah your God. (YLT). ...
/s/self-same.htm - 11k

Forgiveness (124 Occurrences)
... 8. Old Testament Teaching: The sacrifices prescribed by the Law were not adequate
atonements, so that there was constant necessity of yearly remembrance of sin ...
/f/forgiveness.htm - 68k

Restored (77 Occurrences)
... if the man have no redeemer to restore the guilt to, the guilt which is restored
'is' Jehovah's, the priest's, apart from the ram of the atonements, whereby he ...
/r/restored.htm - 29k

Fire-offering (45 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 23:27 Only -- on the tenth of this seventh month is a day of atonements;
ye have a holy convocation, and ye have humbled yourselves, and have brought ...
/f/fire-offering.htm - 21k

Shouting (83 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 25:9 and thou hast caused a trumpet of shouting to pass over in the seventh
month, in the tenth of the month; in the day of the atonements ye do ...
/s/shouting.htm - 31k

Restore (122 Occurrences)
... if the man have no redeemer to restore the guilt to, the guilt which is restored
'is' Jehovah's, the priest's, apart from the ram of the atonements, whereby he ...
/r/restore.htm - 39k

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