Necessity and nature of atonement

Atonement is necessary because of human sinfulness

Atonement is necessary because sin cuts people off from God

Isaiah 59:2 AV

But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

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John 9:31 AV

Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

Atonement is necessary because sin provokes God’s wrath

Ephesians 2:1–3 AV

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

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God’s gracious nature is the basis for atonement

Atonement is grounded in God’s reluctance to punish sinners

Ezekiel 18:32 AV

For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

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Atonement is grounded in God’s readiness to forgive sin

Exodus 34:6–7 AV

And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

The punishment of subsequent generations makes God’s abhorrence of sin quite clear, but the extension of his love and forgiveness “to thousands” puts the emphasis in these verses on God’s grace and compassion.

The punishment of subsequent generations makes God’s abhorrence of sin quite clear, but the extension of his love and forgiveness “to thousands” puts the emphasis in these verses on God’s grace and compassion.

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Atonement is grounded in God’s covenant love

Numbers 14:19 AV

Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.

The Hebrew word for “great love” means God’s loving faithfulness to those within the covenant.

The Hebrew word for “great love” means God’s loving faithfulness to those within the covenant.

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God’s provision of atonement is a means of dealing with sin

Atonement through sacrifice

Leviticus 9:7 AV

And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the LORD commanded.

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God’s promised new covenant of forgiveness was fulfilled in Jesus Christ’s atoning death

Hebrews 10:16–17 AV

This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

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Images used to portray the at-one-ment, or restored relationship, between God and humanity

Atonement as forgiveness of sins

Ephesians 1:7–8 AV

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

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Atonement as cleansing and purification

Leviticus 16:30 AV

For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD.

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Atonement as reconciliation

2 Corinthians 5:19 AV

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

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Atonement as healing

1 Peter 2:24 AV

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

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Atonement as God buying people back for himself

Revelation 5:9 AV

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

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Atonement as making holy: creating a relationship of consecrated nearness to God

Hebrews 10:10 AV

By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

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