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 D-R

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

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Atonement is necessary because sin provokes God’s wrath

Ephesians 2:1–3 D-R

And you, when you were dead in your offences and sins, Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of this air, of the spirit that now worketh on the children of unbelief: In which also we all conversed in time past, in the desires of our flesh, fulfilling the will of the flesh and of our thoughts, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest:

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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 D-R

For I desire not the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God, return ye and live.

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Atonement is grounded in God’s readiness to forgive sin

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

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 D-R

And he said to Aaron: Approach to the altar, and offer sacrifice for thy sin. Offer the holocaust, and pray for thyself and for the people: and when thou hast slain the people’s victim, pray for them, as the Lord hath commanded.

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

Hebrews 10:16–17 D-R

And this is the testament which I will make unto them after those days, saith the Lord. I will give my laws in their hearts and on their minds will I write them: And their sins and iniquities I will 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 D-R

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the remission of sins, according to the riches of his, grace, Which hath superabounded in us, in all wisdom and prudence,

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Atonement as cleansing and purification

Leviticus 16:30 D-R

Upon this day shall be the expiation for you, and the cleansing from all your sins. You shall be cleansed before the Lord.

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Atonement as reconciliation

2 Corinthians 5:19 D-R

For God indeed was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing to them their sins. And he hath placed in us the word of reconciliation.

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Atonement as healing

1 Peter 2:24 D-R

Who his own self bore our sins in his body upon the tree: that we, being dead to sins, should live to justice: by whose stripes you were healed.

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Atonement as God buying people back for himself

Revelation 5:9 D-R

And they sung a new canticle, saying: Thou art worthy, O Lord, to take the book and to open the seals thereof: because thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God, in thy blood, out of every tribe 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 D-R

In the which will, we are sanctified by the oblation of the body of Jesus Christ once.

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