The concept of atonement is central to Christian theology, representing the reconciliation between God and humanity achieved through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Faith in the atonement is indispensable for salvation, as it is through this faith that believers are justified and reconciled to God.

Biblical Foundation

The necessity of faith in the atonement is rooted in Scripture. Romans 3:23-25 states, "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, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand." This passage underscores that faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ is essential for justification.

The Role of Faith

Faith is the means by which individuals receive the benefits of Christ's atoning work. Ephesians 2:8-9 declares, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." Faith is not merely intellectual assent but involves trust and reliance on the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.

Indispensability of Faith

Hebrews 11:6 emphasizes the indispensability of faith: "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Faith is the channel through which believers access the grace of God and the atoning work of Christ. It is through faith that believers are united with Christ, as articulated in Galatians 2:20 : "I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."

Faith and Justification

The doctrine of justification by faith is central to understanding the indispensability of faith in the atonement. Romans 5:1 states, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Justification is a legal declaration of righteousness, made possible through faith in the atoning work of Christ. This faith is not a work that earns salvation but is the means by which believers receive the righteousness of Christ.

Faith and Reconciliation

Faith in the atonement also brings about reconciliation with God. Colossians 1:21-22 explains, "Once you were alienated from God and were hostile in your minds because of your evil deeds. But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence." Through faith, believers are restored to a right relationship with God, overcoming the alienation caused by sin.

Conclusion

The atonement of Christ is the cornerstone of Christian faith, and faith in this atonement is indispensable for salvation. Through faith, believers are justified, reconciled, and brought into a living relationship with God. The Scriptures consistently affirm that it is only through faith in the atoning work of Christ that one can receive the grace of God and the promise of eternal life.Romans 3:25
Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Galatians 3:13,14
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Faith and Unbelief.
... Faith receives, not only the atonement and mediatorial work of Christ as a redeemer
from punishment ... Faith is a naturally indispensable condition of ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxxv faith and unbelief.htm

Atonement.
... That this is indispensable to the well-being of the ... hath set forth to be a propitiation
through faith in his ... or declares the design, of the atonement, to have ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/systematic theology/lecture xxv atonement.htm

Knowing that a Man is not Justified by the Work of the Law, but by ...
... works springing from faith, or the righteousness of faith, as indispensable to
salvation ... 3) But justifying faith consists in believing the atonement of Christ ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/knowing that a man is.htm

Entire Sanctification Obtainable.
... The next, and specially indispensable, condition for receiving the benefits
of the atonement is faith. This means nothing more nor ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter ii entire sanctification obtainable.htm

The Necessity of Faith for Justification
... in which the whole teaching of the atonement lies imbedded ... even under the New Covenant,
explicit faith in Christ ... cannot be regarded as an indispensable medium of ...
/.../pohle/grace actual and habitual/section 1 the necessity of 2.htm

Contents. Lecture I.
... Providential and moral governments indispensable to the highest good of the universe. ...
For whose benefit the atonement was intended. ... FAITH AND UNBELIEF. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/systematic theology/contents lecture i.htm

The Auburn Declaration. AD 1837.
... And by virtue of this atonement, overtures of mercy are sincerely made to the ... While
repentance for sin and faith in Christ are indispensable to salvation ...
/.../the auburn declaration a d 1837.htm

The Necessity of Other Preparatory Acts Besides Faith
... forgiven by virtue of the atonement, because all ... are one and all absolutely
indispensable for justification. ... the process invariably begins with faith and ends ...
/.../pohle/grace actual and habitual/section 2 the necessity of.htm

The Blood of the Covenant
... for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the ... away of sin in the blood, are
the indispensable, but all ... as He leads the soul to the initial faith in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/the two covenants/chapter ix the blood of.htm

Faith
... but I shall be saved by making that atonement my trust ... and to please God, because
without faith there is ... Now, union to Christ, is indispensable to our salvation ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/faith.htm

What are the various theories on the atonement? | GotQuestions.org

If Jesus is our atonement, why did He die at Passover instead of the Day of Atonement? | GotQuestions.org

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Atonement: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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