Atonement in NT

The atoning purpose of Jesus Christ’s death

Jesus Christ’s death on behalf of others

John 10:11 ESV

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

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Jesus Christ’s atoning death for sin

1 Corinthians 15:3 ESV

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,

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The atoning significance of Jesus Christ’s death is expressed by references to his blood

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Jesus Christ’s atoning death is commemorated in the Lord’s Supper

1 Corinthians 11:23–25 ESV

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

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Explanations of the atonement

Jesus Christ’s death as an atoning sacrifice

Romans 3:25 ESV

whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

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Jesus Christ’s atoning death as redemption

Mark 10:45 ESV

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

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The atonement is effective because of Jesus Christ’s sinlessness

2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

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Jesus Christ’s death fulfils and replaces the Day of Atonement

Jesus Christ makes atonement as the new high priest

Hebrews 7:26–28 ESV

For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

Jesus Christ is the mediator of the new and better covenant

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Jesus Christ has made atonement in the true heavenly sanctuary

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Jesus Christ’s atoning blood brings effective cleansing

Hebrews 9:12–14 ESV

he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Jesus Christ’s single sacrifice replaces the many required under the old covenant

Hebrews 10:11–14 ESV

And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Access to the heavenly sanctuary is now open

Hebrews 10:19–20 ESV

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,

By dying with Christ, believers are released from this age into the life of the age to come

Romans 6:1–7 ESV

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.

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God the Father and the atoning death of his Son

God’s sending of his Son to make atonement

1 John 4:14 ESV

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

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God’s grace displayed in making atonement for the ungodly

Ephesians 2:4–5 ESV

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

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The worldwide scope of Jesus Christ’s atoning death

1 John 2:2 ESV

He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

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The appropriate response to the atonement

The response of repentance

Acts 3:19 ESV

Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,

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The response of faith

Acts 10:43 ESV

To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

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The response of baptism

Acts 22:16 ESV

And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

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