Atonement in NT

The atoning purpose of Jesus Christ’s death

Jesus Christ’s death on behalf of others

John 10:11 LEB

“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 LEB

For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to 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 LEB

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night in which he was betrayed, took bread, and after he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Likewise also the cup, after they had eaten, 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 LEB

whom God made publicly available as the mercy seat through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness, because of the passing over of previously committed sins,

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Jesus Christ’s atoning death as redemption

Mark 10:45 LEB

For even the Son of Man did not come 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 LEB

He made the one who did not know sin to be sin on our behalf, in order that we could become the righteousness of God in him.

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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 LEB

For a high priest such as this indeed is fitting for us, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and having become exalted above the heavens, who does not need every day like the former high priests to offer up sacrifices for his own sins and then for the sins of the people, because he did this once for all when he offered up himself. For the law appoints men as high priests who have weakness, but the statement of the oath, after the law, appoints a Son, who is 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 LEB

and not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered once for all into the most holy place, obtaining eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow sprinkled on those who are defiled sanctify them for the ritual purity of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences 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 LEB

And every priest stands every day serving and offering the same sacrifices many times, which are never able to take away sins. But this one, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, from now on waiting until his enemies are made a footstool for his feet. For by one offering he has perfected for all time those who are made holy.

Access to the heavenly sanctuary is now open

Hebrews 10:19–20 LEB

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence for the entrance into the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way which he inaugurated for us through the curtain, that is, his flesh,

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

Romans 6:1–7 LEB

What therefore shall we say? Shall we continue in sin, in order that grace may increase? May it never be! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Or do you not know that as many as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him through baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so also we may live a new way of life. For if we have become identified with him in the likeness of his death, certainly also we will be identified with him in the likeness of his resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified together with him, in order that the body of sin may be done away with, that we may no longer be enslaved to sin. For the one who has died has been freed 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 LEB

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the 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 LEB

But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, and we being dead in trespasses, he made us alive together with Christ (by grace you are saved),

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The worldwide scope of Jesus Christ’s atoning death

1 John 2:2 LEB

and 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 LEB

Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be blotted out,

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The response of faith

Acts 10:43 LEB

To this one all the prophets testify, that through his name everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins.”

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The response of baptism

Acts 22:16 LEB

And now why are you delaying? Get up, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name!’

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