Topical Bible: Atonement: Made by Jesus with Context

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Definition and Significance

Atonement, in Christian theology, refers to the reconciliation between God and humanity, accomplished through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This concept is central to Christian doctrine, emphasizing the belief that Jesus' sacrifice was necessary to atone for the sins of humanity, restoring the broken relationship between God and His creation.

Old Testament Context

The concept of atonement is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where it is primarily associated with the sacrificial system established under the Mosaic Law. The Hebrew word "kaphar," often translated as "atonement," means to cover or to make reconciliation. 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, symbolically transferring their sins onto a scapegoat.

Fulfillment in Jesus Christ

The New Testament presents Jesus Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrificial system. The Epistle to the Hebrews elaborates on this, explaining that the sacrifices of the Old Covenant were a shadow of the good things to come (Hebrews 10:1). Jesus, as the perfect high priest, offered Himself as the once-for-all sacrifice for sins. Hebrews 9:12 states, "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."

Theological Implications

The atonement made by Jesus is foundational to the doctrine of salvation. It underscores the belief that humanity is inherently sinful and in need of redemption. Romans 3:23-25 articulates this, stating, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness."

Substitutionary Atonement

A key aspect of the atonement is its substitutionary nature. Jesus is seen as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). This substitutionary atonement means that Jesus took upon Himself the punishment that was due to sinners, satisfying the demands of divine justice. Isaiah 53:5 prophetically speaks of this, "But He 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."

Reconciliation and Redemption

Through the atonement, believers are reconciled to God, as stated in 2 Corinthians 5:18-19: "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 not merely a legal transaction but a restoration of relationship, enabling believers to become children of God (John 1:12).

Ongoing Impact

The atonement made by Jesus has ongoing implications for Christian life and practice. It calls believers to live in gratitude and obedience, reflecting the love and sacrifice of Christ. The Apostle Paul exhorts in Ephesians 5:2, "And walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God."

Conclusion

While this entry does not include a conclusion, it is evident that the atonement made by Jesus is a profound and multifaceted doctrine that lies at the heart of Christian faith, offering hope and redemption to all who believe.

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Whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now you see him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
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Library

Christ's Finished and Unfinished Work
... in part summed up in the context"the tabernacle ... in that great message, that Jesus
Christ, the ... the finished Obedience, the finished Atonement, made once for ...
/.../christs finished and unfinished work.htm

Circumcision, Temple Service, and Naming of Jesus.
... Jesus often revealed such (John 9:16); but the context shows ... fast, viz.: that on
the day of Atonement; but the ... 1:5). The Hebrew theory that "God made the world ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xii circumcision temple service and.htm

Detailed Contents
... Jesus Christ set forth in propitiatory power in His blood is ... life " Law glorified
in the Passion and made an irresistible ... The Atonement and the Modern Mind. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/denney/the death of christ/detailed contents.htm

Christ's Message to Herod
... the only meaning congruous with the context is that ... what conceivable sense the death
of Jesus Christ can ... fashioned belief that therein He made atonement for sin ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/christs message to herod.htm

Christ Exalted
... court, there must be peace; and as long as Jesus Christ our ... peace could not have
been continual, unless the atonement had been wholly made, unless justice ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/christ exalted.htm

St. Paul's Wish to be Accursed from Christ.
... Brought to believe on that Jesus whom he had reviled and ... Such is the spirit of the
context. ... and penalties inflicted on him could have made atonement for their ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon ix st pauls wish.htm

The Doctrine of Jesus Christ.
... Not a single individual man, woman, or child is excluded from the blessings offered
in the atonement. Heb.2:9""But we see Jesus, who was made a little ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of jesus christ.htm

What Proves God's Love
... men who unite in the belief that Christ's death was a sacrifice and an atonement
diverge from one ... I know that Jesus Christ is said to have made far less ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/what proves gods love.htm

Christ's 'little Whiles'
... of Christianity are the incarnation and atonement of Jesus ... let things wait, for all
must be made clear and ... In the context here, Jesus Christ does not explain ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/christs little whiles.htm

The Unity of Apostolic Teaching
... as the quotations which I have made, and which ... in both its parts"its assertion of
Jesus' Messiahship and ... not talk so much about the Atonement and Propitiation ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the unity of apostolic teaching.htm