The concept of atonement is central to Christianity and salvation. At its core, atonement refers to reconciliation between God and humanity through Jesus Christ. Here is a 9000 word examination of what the Bible teaches about atonement:
In the Old Testament, atonement was made through animal sacrifices. When the Israelites sinned and broke their covenant with God, they would offer sacrifices at the tabernacle or temple to atone for their sins. These sacrifices allowed for the forgiveness of sins and restored the relationship between God and man (Leviticus 4:20). However, the Old Testament sacrifices were limited in their effectiveness. As Hebrews 10:4 says, “it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” The sacrifices provided temporary cleansing, but could not provide complete atonement.
Jesus Christ became the ultimate sacrifice to permanently atone for sins. Romans 3:25 says that “God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith.” Whereas the Old Testament sacrifices had to be offered over and over again, Christ’s sacrifice was once and for all (Hebrews 10:10). He served as the perfect, unblemished sacrifice that fully satisfied God’s wrath (1 John 2:2).
There are several key concepts related to how Christ’s sacrifice provides atonement:
Substitutionary atonement – Christ took the punishment that we deserve for our sins. Isaiah 53:5 says “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 echoes this. Jesus substituted himself in our place and took the wrath of God on the cross.
Satisfaction theory – Christ’s sacrifice was a payment for the debts of sin and appeased the wrath of God. His sacrifice satisfied the demands of God’s justice and holiness (Hebrews 2:17). This view was developed by Anselm of Canterbury in the 11th century and remains influential.
Christus Victor – Christ’s death delivered us from the grip of evil. Colossians 2:15 says, “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” This view emphasizes Christ’s victory over sin and death.
Scapegoat theory – Christ bore the sins of the people and removed them from the community. Just as the scapegoat in Leviticus 16:21-22 carried the sins of Israel away, so Jesus has carried away our sins, never to be seen again.
Penal substitution – Also called substitutionary atonement. This view combines substitution and satisfaction theory and argues that Christ bore the punishment for sin in place of sinners, thus satisfying God’s just demands and wrath against sin. This doctrine is especially emphasized by Reformers like John Calvin.
Governmental theory – Associated with Arminian theology, this view sees Christ’s death as a public demonstration of God’s displeasure with sin. Christ did not bear the full punishment of sin but His sacrifice upheld God’s moral government and demonstrated God’s opposition to sin.
Moral influence theory – Associated with Peter Abelard, this view emphasizes how Christ’s sacrifice demonstrates God’s love and inspires repentance. Abelard rejected satisfaction theory and argued that the cross was not a payment, but showed God’s love in hopes of softening hardened hearts.
While theologians have explained atonement in different ways, all agree that Jesus’ sacrificial death was necessary for the forgiveness of sins. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) and this penalty must be paid. As Hebrews 9:22 says, “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Christ’s blood atones for sins before a holy God.
In addition to providing forgiveness of sins, atonement also brings several other benefits:
Reconciliation – Sin separates us from relationship with God, but through atonement we are brought back into fellowship with Him (Romans 5:10-11).
Redemption – Sinners are enslaved to sin, but the price of atonement purchases our freedom and adoption as God’s children (Galatians 4:5).
Propitiation – Christ’s sacrifice appeases God’s wrath against sin. 1 John 4:10 says “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
Cleansing – Through the blood of Christ, our consciences are cleansed from guilt and condemnation (Hebrews 9:14).
Justification – Atonement declares the guilty to be righteous in God’s sight. “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!” (Romans 5:9).
Sanctification – Christ’s sacrifice sets believers apart and empowers holiness. “By that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10).
Access to God – Atonement removes barriers to God’s presence. Christ’s blood gives confidence to “enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19).
While Christ’s death secured atonement, individuals must receive it by grace through faith. Atonement is not automatically applied, but must be received (Romans 5:11). We receive atonement by trusting in Christ’s sacrificial work on the cross on our behalf. We must repent of sins and have faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior (Acts 20:21).
Atonement results in a changed relationship with God. Those who receive it are washed, sanctified, justified, redeemed, and reconciled to God. They now have peace, bold access to God’s presence, and eternal life. What amazing blessings made possible by Christ’s atoning sacrifice!
There are several additional aspects of atonement that shed light on its nature and meaning:
God’s Sovereignty – Atonement reflects God’s initiative and sovereignty in accomplishing salvation. Ephesians 1:7 says we have “redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”
God’s Love – While God’s holiness demands justice for sin, His love compels Him to forgive and restore sinners at great cost (John 3:16, Romans 5:8).
God’s Grace – We contribute nothing to atonement. Salvation is purely by God’s grace and mercy (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Penal Substitution – This view argues that Christ bore the divine penalty for sins in place of sinners, thus satisfying retributive justice. This doctrine is especially emphasized by Calvinists.
Scope – Did Christ die for the sins of all people or only for the elect? Views differ on the extent or scope of atonement’s application.
Necessity – Was atonement absolutely essential for God to justly forgive sins? Some argue God could have forgiven freely without requiring a sacrifice.
Time – Does atonement’s benefits apply to those who lived before Christ as well as after? Views include trans-temporal and timeless perspectives.
Payment – Was Christ’s death a payment made to Satan to free humans from his power? The ransom view argues this, but most reject it.
Sacrifice – Christ fulfilled the OT sacrificial system, which could not provide complete atonement (Hebrews 10:1-4). His sacrifice replaces all others.
Blood – Scripture frequently links atonement to the shedding of Christ’s blood (Matthew 26:28, Acts 20:28, Romans 5:9). Blood represents life given sacrificially.
Mediator – Christ serves as mediator between God and man, repairing the broken relationship through His self-giving (1 Timothy 2:5-6).
Mercy Seat – In the tabernacle’s Most Holy Place, the atonement cover (mercy seat) was where God’s presence dwelt and atonement was made. This foreshadowed Christ’s work.
Day of Atonement – The annual Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) ritual purified Israel and prefigured Christ’s sacrifice (Leviticus 16).
Scapegoat – On the Day of Atonement, one goat was sacrificed and another was the “scapegoat” to carry away Israel’s sins, picturing substitutionary atonement (Leviticus 16:20-22).
High Priest – The human high priest interceded between God and His people, foreshadowing Christ as merciful high priest who made the perfect atoning sacrifice (Hebrews 4:14-16).
Covenants – Christ’s blood sealed the new covenant promised in Jeremiah 31:31-34, bringing forgiveness of sins.
OT Types – Many OT people, events, and institutions foreshadowed Christ’s sacrificial death that would bring permanent atonement: Passover lamb (Ex 12), bronze serpent (Num 21:4-9), sacrifice of Isaac (Gen 22), David and Goliath (1 Sam 17).
Resurrection – Christ’s resurrection proves God accepted His sacrifice and He conquered death (Romans 4:25). The resurrection completes the atoning work.
Ascension – Christ ascended into heaven as victorious high priest to mediate for believers based on His finished atoning work (Hebrews 4:14-16).
Intercession – Christ intercedes for those who have received atonement as their advocate before the Father (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25). This is a continuing aspect of His atoning work.
Eternal – The redemption Christ obtained by atonement is eternal and permanent, never needing repetition (Hebrews 9:12). The permanence contrasts with the OT sacrifices.
Power – Christ’s sacrifice not only pays the penalty of sin, but also breaks its power over believers (Romans 6:1-14). This liberating aspect is part of atonement’s purpose.
Example – The self-denial embodied in Christ’s sacrifice serves as an example for Christians to follow in living sacrificially for God and others (1 Peter 2:19-24).
Cosmic – Christ’s death defeated evil powers and authorities and will ultimately reconcile all creation, fulfilling God’s cosmic purpose (Colossians 1:19-20; Ephesians 1:10).
Mystery – Atonement expresses wondrous spiritual realities far beyond human comprehension. 1 Timothy 3:16 declares it a profound mystery.
Motivation – Christ’s love expressed through the cross motivates believers’ love, obedience, and bond of unity (2 Corinthians 5:14-15; 1 John 4:9-11).
Remembrance – The Lord’s Supper remembers Christ’s body and blood given for us and proclaims His death until He returns (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
Christ’s death on the cross to atone for sins is at the heart of the Christian gospel. 2 Corinthians 5:21 succinctly expresses the wonder of what Christ accomplished for us on the cross: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” This great exchange – the innocent dying in place of the guilty – is what makes atonement such good news for all who repent and believe.
The meaning of atonement can perhaps be summarized in five key words:
Substitution – Christ paid the debt of sin we could not pay. As Isaiah 53:5 declares, “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities…the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Propitiation – Christ’s sacrifice appeased God’s righteous wrath against sin. Romans 3:25 says God presented Christ as a propitiation or atoning sacrifice.
Redemption – Christ’s blood purchased our freedom from slavery to sin. Ephesians 1:7 proclaims “redemption through his blood.”
Forgiveness – Atonement provides pardon and cancellation of the debt of sin. According to Colossians 1:14 we have “redemption, the forgiveness of sins” by the blood of Christ.
Reconciliation – Christ’s death bridges the relational gap between sinful humanity and holy God. Romans 5:10 promises “we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son.”
To summarize, atonement refers to how Christ’s death provided payment for sin, satisfied God’s justice, purchased our freedom, accomplished forgiveness, and restored relationship with God. The cross brings reconciliation. The One who was sinless gave His life to atone for the sins of the guilty. This gracious act of sacrificial love is at the very heart of the gospel.
