The Atonement

THE ATONEMENT

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

"For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

"And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.” Romans 5:8-11 (NKJV)

ATONEMENT: “reconciliation”; “the reconciliation of God and man through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.” (Webster)

“That which produces this reconciliation, as well as the satisfaction or propitiation effected through the expiatory sacrifice designed to have that effect.” The Westminster Dictionary of the Bible.

I. THE NECESSITY OF THE ATONEMENT:

1. The Nature of God Demands It:

“Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and can not look upon iniquity.” Habakkuk 1:13

2. The Condition of Man Required It:

“All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

“The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

II. THE NATURE OF THE ATONEMENT:

1. Achieved Through the Shedding of Blood

“And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Hebrews 9:22

Also: “ For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that makes an atonement for the soul.” Leviticus 17:11

2. Required the Sacrifice of The Innocent for the Guilty:

“Your lamb shall be with without blemish...” Exodus 12:5

Also: “Then shall he kill the goat of the sin-offering that is for the people: and bring his blood within the veil (Holy of Holies) and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and in front of the mercy seat.” Leviticus 16:15

3. Perfectly and Completely Fulfilled in the Lord Jesus:

“The next day he (John the Baptist) saw Jesus coming to him and said: Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29.

III. THE EXTENT OF THE ATONEMENT:

1. The Old Testament Types of Christ Had to Be Offered Once a Year...Every Year!

“Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services.

But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance.” Hebrews 9:6-7 (NKJV)

(Hebrews 9:6-7)

2. The Atonement Made By Christ Was Done Once And For All Eternity!

“But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” Hebrews 9:11-12 (NKJV)

Also:

“Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.

For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.” Hebrews 7:25-28 (NKJV)