Definition and Origin

The term "atonement" refers to the reconciliation between God and humanity, achieved through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. The concept is rooted in the Old Testament sacrificial system, where atonement was made through the offering of animal sacrifices. The Hebrew word for atonement, "kippur," means "to cover" or "to make reconciliation." In the New Testament, the Greek word "katallage" is used, signifying reconciliation or restoration of a relationship.

Old Testament Background

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 day for atonement, 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 17:11 states, "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 by the life."

The Role of Sacrifices

Sacrifices in the Old Testament served as a temporary covering for sin, pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. The blood of animals could not permanently remove sin but symbolized the need for a perfect and final atonement. Hebrews 10:4 affirms, "It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins."

Christ's Atonement

The New Testament reveals that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrificial system. His death on the cross is the ultimate atonement for sin, providing a once-for-all sacrifice. Romans 3:25 declares, "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."

Theological Significance

The atonement of Christ is central to Christian theology, encompassing several key aspects:

1. Substitutionary Atonement: Christ died in place of sinners, bearing the punishment that humanity deserved. Isaiah 53:5 prophesies, "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."

2. Propitiation: Christ's sacrifice appeased the wrath of God against sin. 1 John 2:2 states, "He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."

3. Redemption: Through His atonement, Christ redeemed believers from the bondage of sin. Ephesians 1:7 affirms, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace."

4. Reconciliation: The atonement restores the broken relationship between God and humanity. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 explains, "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."

Practical Implications

The atonement has profound implications for believers:

· Forgiveness of Sins: Through Christ's atonement, believers receive complete forgiveness and cleansing from sin (1 John 1:7).
· Access to God: The atonement grants believers direct access to God, as the veil separating humanity from the Holy of Holies was torn at Christ's death (Hebrews 10:19-20).
· New Life in Christ: Believers are called to live in the newness of life, empowered by the Holy Spirit, as a result of Christ's atoning work (Romans 6:4).

Conclusion

The atonement is a foundational doctrine of the Christian faith, encapsulating the love, justice, and mercy of God. Through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, believers are reconciled to God, forgiven of their sins, and granted eternal life.Romans 5:8-11
But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Corinthians 5:18,19
And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Galatians 1:4
Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 John 2:2
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 John 4:10
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Atonement and the Modern Mind
... Take, for instance, the consciousness of sin. Evidently the Atonement becomes
incredible if the consciousness of sin is extinguished or explained away. ...
/.../denney/the death of christ/chapter 7 the atonement and.htm

The Lamb of God, the Great Atonement
... I cannot think the sense of the expression is sufficiently explained, by saying ... never
had, nor possibly could have any interest in His atonement, but, simply ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xvi the lamb of.htm

Introductory to Texts from the Gospels on the Incarnation. ...
... Enumeration of texts still to be explained. Arians compared to the Jews. We must
recur to the Regula Fidei. ... Thus both parties really denied the Atonement. vid. ...
/.../chapter xxvi introductory to texts from.htm

Texts Explained; Thirdly...
... Chapter XIII."Texts Explained; Thirdly, Hebrews 1:4. Additional texts brought as ...
concerning the Person of Christ to explain away or deny the Atonement. ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/chapter xiii texts explained thirdly.htm

Texts Explained; Sixthly, Proverbs viii. 22 Continued. Our Lord is ...
... Chapter XX."Texts Explained; Sixthly, Proverbs viii ... and S. Leo speaks of the whole
course of redemption, ie incarnation, atonement, regeneration, justification ...
/.../chapter xx texts explained sixthly proverbs.htm

Christ and Man in the Atonement
... substitutionary character of Christ's sufferings and death in the Atonement was
asserted. ... of sins and the regeneration of souls, could be explained without the ...
/.../denney/the atonement and the modern mind/chapter iii christ and man.htm

Christ and Man in the Atonement
... substitutionary character of Christ's sufferings and death in the Atonement was
asserted. ... of sins and the regeneration of souls, could be explained without the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/denney/the death of christ/chapter 9 christ and man.htm

The Plenary Inspiration of Every Part of the Bible, vindicated and ...
... PLENARY INSPIRATION OF EVERY PART OF THE BIBLE, VINDICATED AND EXPLAINED."NATURE
OF ... as of that misinformed Moral Sense which finds in the Atonement of our ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/sermon iv the plenary inspiration.htm

Appendix xiv. The Law in Messianic Times.
... And as regarded the most sacred of all sacrifices, that of the Day of Atonement,
it was explained that the day rather than the sacrifices brought ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xiv the law in.htm

Orthodox Creeds.
... Some think the atonement made only for the elect, while others regard it as ... But this
doctrine, like the others mentioned, is variously stated and explained. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/orthodox creeds.htm

What are the main arguments against limited atonement? | GotQuestions.org

Limited atonement-is it biblical? | GotQuestions.org

Is the atonement of Christ unlimited? | GotQuestions.org

Atonement: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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