Topical Bible: The Atonement: Remission of Sins By

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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. The atonement addresses the problem of sin, which separates humanity from a holy and righteous God. Through the atonement, believers receive the remission of sins, restoring their relationship with God.

Old Testament Foreshadowing

The idea 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. 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." This verse highlights the necessity of bloodshed for the remission of sins, a principle that prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.

The Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, described in Leviticus 16, was the most significant atoning ritual in the Jewish calendar. On this day, the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people. The scapegoat, symbolically bearing the sins of Israel, was sent into the wilderness, illustrating the removal of sin from the community.

Fulfillment in Christ

The New Testament reveals that the sacrificial system of the Old Testament was a shadow of the true atonement accomplished by Jesus Christ. John the Baptist identifies Jesus as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29), indicating that Christ's sacrifice would fulfill and surpass the Old Testament sacrifices.

The Apostle Paul expounds on the doctrine of atonement in his epistles. In Romans 3:23-25 , he writes, "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." Here, Paul emphasizes that Christ's atoning sacrifice is the means by which believers are justified and reconciled to God.

The author of Hebrews further elaborates on the superiority of Christ's atonement. 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." This passage underscores the sufficiency and finality of Christ's sacrifice, contrasting it with the repeated and temporary sacrifices of the Old Covenant.

Theological Implications

The atonement has profound theological implications for the understanding of sin, justice, and grace. Sin is portrayed as a serious offense against God, requiring a just penalty. The atonement satisfies divine justice, as Christ bears the punishment for sin on behalf of humanity. Isaiah 53:5 prophetically describes this substitutionary aspect: "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."

Moreover, the atonement is an expression of God's immense love and grace. Romans 5:8 declares, "But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Through the atonement, God extends forgiveness and reconciliation to all who place their faith in Jesus Christ.

Practical Application

For believers, the atonement is not merely a theological concept but a transformative reality. It calls for a response of faith, repentance, and gratitude. The remission of sins through Christ's atonement assures believers of their standing before God, freeing them from guilt and empowering them to live in obedience and service to Him.

The atonement also serves as a model for Christian conduct, emphasizing the principles of sacrifice, forgiveness, and reconciliation in relationships with others. As recipients of God's grace, believers are called to extend grace and forgiveness to those around them, reflecting the love of Christ in their daily lives.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 1:29
The next day John sees Jesus coming to him, and said, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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

Ephesians 1:7
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleans us from all sin.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 1:5
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. To him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On the Atonement.
... and he only once a year, on the great day, of atonement. ... the vast congregation stood
without, confessing their sins, and expecting remission only through ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/finney/sermons on gospel themes/xii on the atonement.htm

Atonement.
... faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that
are ... assigns the reason, or declares the design, of the atonement, to have ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/systematic theology/lecture xxv atonement.htm

The Day of Atonement
... are thereby lost, it is the fruit of the atonement; but the ... the death of Christ there
was full, free, perfect remission for all those whose sins are laid ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the day of atonement.htm

Easter Monday
... In Christ's name alone is remission of sins received, and ... Much more should we gentiles
have faith in Christ's atonement, being obliged to confess that not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/easter monday.htm

'The Scapegoat'
... 'Though your sins be as ... in the words 'without shedding of blood there is no remission.'
The two ... do not need to enter on the philosophy of atonement, but simply ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the scapegoat.htm

Practical Observations.
... 5. THE ATONEMENT."We read in the introduction of the Holy Word that "he ... his own blood;"
"his blood was shed for many for the remission of sins;" "he hath ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/practical observations 35.htm

Fifth Sunday in Lent
... nature, and they obtained for the people a merely formal remission of sins, performing
their ... should once die for us, to obtain for us the true atonement. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fifth sunday in lent.htm

'This Cup'
... of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins'"Matthew
26 ... who argue from it against the doctrine of the Atonement have forgotten ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/this cup.htm

The Great Reconciliation
... That change of mind is itself reconciliation, forgiveness, remission of sins. ... penitence
of Christ should be finally abandoned by writers on the Atonement. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/beibitz/gloria crucis/v the great reconciliation.htm

Detailed Contents
... words of Jesus, The idea that the remission of sins ... our sins, (4) Who died for sins
once, the ... obedience is the principle of the Atonement, Connection between ...
//christianbookshelf.org/denney/the death of christ/detailed contents.htm