Topical Bible: Atonement: Made by Jesus: Divinely Ordained

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The concept of atonement is central to Christian theology, representing the reconciliation between God and humanity achieved through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. This act is seen as divinely ordained, fulfilling the requirements of justice and mercy as outlined in the Scriptures.

Old Testament Foreshadowing

The Old Testament lays the groundwork for understanding atonement through various sacrifices and rituals, particularly on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). Leviticus 16 details the high priest's role in making atonement for the people of Israel, using the blood of animals to cleanse the sanctuary and the people from their sins. These sacrifices, however, were temporary and pointed forward to a more perfect and lasting atonement.

Prophetic Anticipation

The prophets anticipated a future atonement that would be more comprehensive and final. Isaiah 53:5-6 speaks of a suffering servant who "was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." This passage is often interpreted as a prophecy of Jesus' sacrificial death, highlighting the divine plan for atonement through His suffering.

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, the atonement is fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. John the Baptist identifies Jesus as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29), indicating His role as the ultimate sacrificial offering. The Epistle to the Hebrews elaborates on this theme, contrasting the repeated sacrifices of the Old Covenant with the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ. Hebrews 9:12 states, "He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption."

Theological Significance

The atonement made by Jesus is seen as divinely ordained, fulfilling God's plan for salvation. Romans 3:25 explains that "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 underscores the divine initiative in providing a means of reconciliation, emphasizing both God's justice and mercy.

Substitutionary Atonement

Central to the understanding of Christ's atonement is the concept of substitution. Jesus is seen as bearing the penalty for sin on behalf of humanity, satisfying the demands of divine justice. 1 Peter 2:24 affirms, "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His stripes you are healed." This substitutionary aspect highlights the personal and transformative nature of the atonement.

Reconciliation and Redemption

The atonement accomplished by Jesus not only addresses the problem of sin but also restores the broken relationship between God and humanity. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 declares, "All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them." This reconciliation is part of the broader work of redemption, liberating believers from the bondage of sin and death.

Divine Ordination

The atonement made by Jesus is understood as part of God's eternal plan, foreordained before the foundation of the world. Ephesians 1:7-10 speaks of the "riches of His grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ." This divine ordination underscores the sovereignty and purposefulness of God in the work of atonement.

Conclusion

The atonement made by Jesus is a profound and central doctrine in Christian theology, reflecting the divine plan for salvation and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. Through His sacrificial death, Jesus provides a means of reconciliation and redemption, offering eternal life to all who believe.

Nave's Topical Index

Luke 2:30,31
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
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Galatians 4:4,5
But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
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Ephesians 1:3-12,17-22
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
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Ephesians 2:4-10
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us,
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Colossians 1:19,20
For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell;
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1 Peter 1:20
Who truly was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
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Revelation 13:8
And all that dwell on the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
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Library

Self-Denial.
... he is never alone, but always with Jesus, whom he ... must be so; it has been divinely
ordained that God's ... denial is a fruit of the atonement made perfect only by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xvi self-denial.htm

The Axe at the Root --A Testimony against Puseyite Idolatry
... the story of the cross, the full atonement made by God's ... of dealings with the invisible
God through Jesus Christ by ... remark that nothing ought to be made of it ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/the axe at the roota.htm

The Open Fountain
... the sin of Adam and Abel the atonement was sufficient ... sin and for uncleanness when
the Lord Jesus died ... God, the everlasting Word, was made flesh and dwelt among ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the open fountain.htm

"Lo, I Come": Exposition
... The blessed ordinances of our Lord Jesus Christ, such as baptism and the Lord's ... Surely
for the incarnation and the atonement the world was made from the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/lo i come exposition.htm

The Only Atoning Priest
... But this one divinely mysterious person"this unique and ... the righteousness of God,
and made atonement to divine ... Jesus offered no other sacrifice: he had never ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the only atoning priest.htm

Section 26-36. That the Son is the Co-Existing Word
... the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them ... shews the uniting which
took place with Jesus, born of ... else, but from the Man's being made one with ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 26-36 that the son.htm

Spiritual Peace
... a thousand times, but "this man, having made one atonement for sins ... God of all peace;
it is a peace which Jesus Christ bought, for he has made peace with ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/spiritual peace.htm

At the Feast of Tabernacles
... before the feast was the Day of Atonement, when, after ... Suddenly Jesus lifted up His
voice, in tones that ... water." The condition of the people made this appeal ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 49 at the feast.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Salvation
... many," if no effectual provision was made that any ... hand, to insist that the Lord
Jesus did expressly ... 1) The limited design in the Atonement follows, necessarily ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter four the sovereignty of.htm

Scriptural Types.
... offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." 1 ... sanctified,
and when, on the annual day of atonement, expiation was made for the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm