The Atonement

Making of amends, making up for error or deficiency

Atonement of Christ . Making up for the sins of the elect by His death on the cross

Why did Jesus enter this world? Matthew 1:21 Given the name of Jesus 'for He shall save His people from their sins'. John 3:16 'God so loved the world that He gave His one & only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.'

Jesus death was planned. It did not just happen. There was no other way of salvation acceptable to God. It had to be God’s way so He prepared the details in advance.

How are we saved? Not by good works but His death on the cross.

Why are we saved? God accepted the sinless sacrifice of His Son in place of our sin.

Why so unique an offering? Not man centered like other religions. God did it.

Assurance of salvation based on true understanding of the atonement.

Not great faith that saves but God given faith in a great Saviour.

Theories of the Atonement:

Ransom paid to Satan. Sinners belong to Satan. God paid the price by buying them back.

Satan accepted the price but could not retain Him. Jesus rose leaving Satan without anything.

Transaction between God & His Messiah not God & the devil.

Death of Christ impacted man: Overwhelmed by the love of God, moved to repent and love Him.

We are transformed by the death of Christ. Calls for a response from man to validate the transaction.

Based on his book Why the God -man? Sin an infinite offence against God required an equally infinite solution.

Only the infinite God could deal with the problem as the God-man on the cross. His death satisfied the requirement of a just God. The ransom paid was to satisfy God not the devil.

: Jesus taking our sin was treated as a sinner in our place.

: Jesus bore the tortures of a condemned man.

Moral theory is weak. Emphasizes man’s response.

The Atonement: Different words: apulotrosis, ransom. Release through payment made. Used to release captives destined to die.

Romans 3:24 'All are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus'

1 Corinthians 1:30 'You are in Christ Jesus who has become for us righteousness, holiness & redemption'

Ephesians 1:7 'In Him we have redemption through His blood the forgiveness of sins' = Colossians 1:14

Lutroo: Buy back by a ransom. To redeem Titus 2:14 'He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness.'

1 Peter 1:18 Not redeemed with money but the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish

Since Eden mankind captive to sin. Jesus blood/death bought back, now owned by God

1 Corinthians 6:20 Who was paid? Satisfied God.

Reconciliation katallage Between spouses, people. Romans 5:10 'We were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, now we are saved by His life.'

Romans 11:15 Rejection of the Jews brought reconciliation to the world

2 Corinthians 5:18 God who reconciled us to Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.

God took the initiative to restore the relationship

Salvation - soteria - to make safe, Saved from the wrath of God Romans 5:9 Saved through Him.

Delivered from our sins Matthew 1:21

God did it all: Christ’s blood life, God’s purpose 2 Timothy 1:9 'He has saved us & called us to a holy life'

Ephesians 2:8-9 'By grace are you saved & that not of yourselves , it is the gift of God not of works anyone should boast'

Sacrifice thusia Hebrews 7:27 'He sacrificed for their sins once and for all.'

Slaughter of a victim to win favour Matthew 9:13 'I desire mercy & not sacrifice' Romans 12:1 'Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy & acceptable to God.' 1 Peter 2:5 'Offering spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ.'

Substitution = on our behalf John 10:15 'I lay down My life for the sheep' (or in place of) Mark 10:45 Have mercy on me.

Propitiation hilasterion Romans 3:25 'God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement through the shedding of His blood - to be received by faith' Hebrews 9:5 To appease or win favour or placate Atonement cover

Luke 18:13 hilaskomai be merciful. Sacrifice include me

Atonement based on the character of God wholly other unlike anything we know. as holy

Leviticus 11:44 'Be holy because I am holy' God is pure

1 John 1:5-6 'God is light & in Him is no darkness'

1 Timothy 1:16 'I was shown mercy that in me the worst of sinners God might display His immense patience as an example for those who would believe in Him and receive eternal life.'

God is just Psalm 89:14 'Righteousness & justice are the foundation of Your throne'

Psalm 25:8 'Good & upright is the Lord therefore He instructs sinners in His ways.'

Psalm 84:11 God withholds nothing from those who walk uprightly

Sin must be punished Exodus 34:7 'He does not leave the guilty unpunished.'

All of us are sinners Romans 3:23 'All have sinned & come short of the glory of God.'

There are no exceptions Romans 3:10 'There is no one that is righteous, no not even one.'

Sacrifices required to show the seriousness of sin Psalm 7:11 'God is a righteous judge. A God who displays His wrath every day'

No one himself can atone for his sin Revelation 5:2-6 No one in heaven or on earth was found worthy to open the scroll. Do not weep. The Lion of the tribe of Judah , the Root of David has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll. Then I saw a Lamb as if it had been slain.

Sin was transferred to the animal when the priest lay his hands on it the passing over of sin -expiation- was due not to the quality of the sinner but to the quality of the sacrifice which had to be perfect. God is merciful.

Ephesians 2:4 Mercy is not getting what we deserve. Punishment We having nothing to offer. God’s justice had to be satisfied John 19:30 'Jesus said “It is finished”' He never sinned

Hebrews 4:15 'We have a High Priest who has been tempted in every way as we are yet He did not sin.'

Jesus was the God/Man John 1:1 'In the beginning was the Word & the Word was with God & the Word was God.'

John 1:14 'The Word became flesh & lived amongst us & we beheld His glory the glory of the One & only Son who came from the Father full of grace & truth'

The God/man offered the complete satisfaction to the Father 2 Corinthians 5:21 'He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.'

His mercy was just because justice had been carried out Romans 3:25 God presented Christ as the sacrifice of His blood for the atonement of our sins to be received by faith. He is just & the One who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Our confession of sin results in cleansing. Confession of sin is exposing it to be covered by the blood of Jesus. How great a salvation accomplished by God.

Old Covenant Day of Atonement: Once a year High Priest offered sacrifice for himself then for the people Killed on the altar, blood poured on the mercy seat in the most holy place for atonement

Christ did that once & for all 1 Corinthians 5:7 'Christ our Passover Lamb has been sacrificed'

Hebrews 4:15 No need to offer for Himself as He is perfect. But for us 1 Peter 2:22 'He committed no sin & no deceit was found in his mouth.' 1 Peter 2:24 'He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross',

Hebrews 9:24 Jesus entered heaven 'now to appear for us in God’s presence'. He intercedes only for those who come to God through Him.

Hebrews 7:25 'Jesus is able to save completely those who come to God through Him because He always lives to intercede for them.'

It only applies to believers born again redeemed and belonging to the Father. Sin has been dealt with. Reconciliation with God has been made possible. The way back to God through the dark paths of sin there is a door that is open & you may go in.

At Calvary’s cross is where you begin when you come as a sinner to Jesus.

Hallelujah Jesus is alive. His is the blood that ransomed me, His is the power that sets me free, His risen life is given to me for Jesus is alive. There is a door that is open & you may go in.

At Calvary’s cross is where you begin when you come as a sinner to Jesus..

What can wash away my sin, nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again, nothing but the blood of Jesus. Oh precious is the flow that makes me white as snow, No other fount I know nothing but the blood of Jesus.

His Name His blessed Name shall be called Wonderful, His Name His blessed Name shall be called Counsellor. The Mighty God, The everlasting Father The prince of Peace through all Eternity, The Mighty God the Everlasting Father, Jesus Immanuel, My Saviour.

Oh how I love Him, How I adore Him, My breath my sunshine My all in all. The great Creator became my Saviour & all God’s fullness dwelleth in Him.