Topical Bible: Under the Law Atonement: Made by Sacrifice

Bible > Topical > Under the Law Atonement

◄ Under the Law Atonement: Made by Sacrifice ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, atonement refers to the reconciliation between God and humanity, primarily achieved through the sacrificial system established under the Mosaic Law. This system is central to the Old Testament and serves as a precursor to the ultimate atonement made by Jesus Christ in the New Testament.

Old Testament Sacrificial System

The concept of atonement through sacrifice is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, particularly within the Pentateuch. The Book of Leviticus provides detailed instructions on various offerings and sacrifices, which were integral to the Israelites' worship and relationship with God. 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 sacrificial system included several types of offerings, each with specific purposes:

1. Burnt Offerings (Leviticus 1): These were voluntary offerings made for atonement and dedication to God. The entire animal was consumed by fire, symbolizing complete surrender to the Lord.

2. Sin Offerings (Leviticus 4): These were mandatory sacrifices for unintentional sins, emphasizing the need for purification and forgiveness. The blood of the animal was sprinkled on the altar, signifying the cleansing of sin.

3. Guilt Offerings (Leviticus 5:14-6:7): These were required for specific transgressions, particularly those involving desecration of holy things or deceit. They included restitution to the wronged party, highlighting the importance of justice and reconciliation.

4. Peace Offerings (Leviticus 3): These were voluntary offerings expressing gratitude and fellowship with God. Part of the sacrifice was consumed by the offerer, symbolizing communion with the divine.

The Day of Atonement

The Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, was the most significant day in the Jewish calendar for atonement. Leviticus 16 outlines the elaborate rituals performed by the high priest to atone for the sins of the nation. This included the sacrifice of a bull and a goat, and the release of a scapegoat into the wilderness, symbolizing the removal of sin. Leviticus 16:30 declares, "For on this day atonement will be made for you to cleanse you, and you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD."

Theological Significance

The sacrificial system under the Law served multiple purposes. It underscored the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin, requiring a blood sacrifice for atonement. Hebrews 9:22 affirms, "According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."

Moreover, these sacrifices foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the Law and provided a once-for-all atonement for sin. The Old Testament sacrifices were temporary and needed to be repeated, but Christ's sacrifice was perfect and eternal, as described in Hebrews 10:10 : "And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

Conclusion

The sacrificial system under the Mosaic Law was a divine provision for atonement, pointing to the necessity of bloodshed for the forgiveness of sins. It laid the groundwork for understanding the redemptive work of Christ, who offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling the Law and reconciling humanity to God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 1:4,5
And he shall put his hand on the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Christ Our High Priest.
... Under the law the kings and the priests were of ... The law continued till His death,
hence it was after ... His ascension He, as high priest, made atonement with His ...
/.../xi christ our high priest.htm

On the Atonement.
... How beautifully this was illustrated under the Mosaic system! ... ark which contained
the tables of the law and other ... once a year, on the great day, of atonement. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/finney/sermons on gospel themes/xii on the atonement.htm

Atonement.
... or merely human, sacrifices, could be efficacious under the government ... justice required,
either that an atonement should be made, or that the law should be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/systematic theology/lecture xxv atonement.htm

The Only Atoning Priest
... what was due to the righteousness of God, and made atonement to divine justice ... We
are expressly told that he offered himself "once." Under the law the lamb ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the only atoning priest.htm

Forgiveness Made Easy
... in a state, unless the lawgiver executes the law against the ... and must not be blotted
out till atonement has been ... out of sin were the easiest thing under heaven ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 24 1878/forgiveness made easy.htm

Christ's Priestly Office
... We read in Leviticus 16 that Aaron made atonement by the incense as well as by the ...
in a worse condition under the gospel than the Jews were under the law? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/4 christs priestly office.htm

The Lamb of God, the Great Atonement
... forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law ... redeem sinners from the curse
of the law (Galatians 4 ... This is what I understand by atonement and satisfaction ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xvi the lamb of.htm

"And for Sin Condemned Sin in the Flesh. "
... All those offerings of beasts, of fowls, and such like, under the law, held forth ...
to hold out unto us the perfection of our atonement and propitiation. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xiii and for sin.htm

The Great High-Priest.
... as he alone entered within the veil on the day of atonement. ... 1. The high-priest under
the Law is himself beset by ... at least for which alone the Law provides a ...
/.../chapter iv the great high-priest.htm

Entire Sanctification in Type.
... In the ceremonial used under the law for the ... Surely, here is atonement by blood,
and cleansing by the washing of water through the word, as plainly ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter iv entire sanctification in.htm