Atonement
The word
“Atonement” is used collectively to include the whole efficacious, sacrificial,
and redemptive work of Christ on the cross on behalf of mankind. It is not a New
Testament word, only occurring in one English mistranslation (KJV) where the Greek word katallagh should have been translated
“reconciliation.” The translation was corrected in the NKJV (Romans 5:11). A
careful student of the Scriptures
will be influenced by the fact that the Holy Spirit confined the word “atonement” to the Old Testament,
and did not use the term in any way to describe any aspect of the New Testament
believer's relationship to God. The word “atonement” is from the Hebrew KAPHAR — to cover.
Atonement looked forward to the Cross. When a Jewish believer participated in a
sacrifice, the blood covered the sin. On the Day of Atonement, the High Priest sprinkled
blood on the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant, which covered the
sin, represented in the Ark by the broken tablets of the Law, Aaron’s rod that
budded, and a pot of manna (Leviticus 16; Leviticus 23:26-32; Hebrews
9:3-7). Actually, Hebrews 10:4 declares
that “it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sin.”
In the atonement, God simply covered over the sin until Christ actually “took
away” the sin, once “covered” by sacrifice (Romans 3:23-26; Hebrews
9:15). The extent of the collective atonement is unlimited (2 Corinthians 5:14;
1 Timothy 2:6; 1 Timothy 4:10; Titus 2:11; Hebrews 2:9; 1 John 2:2). “And He is the propitiation for our sins: and
not for ours only, but also for the sins of the entire world.”
/~/ Systematic Theology Context(s):
SOTERIOLOGY
71 I. The Savior
72 II. The Accomplishments of Christ in His Death
72A A.
The Removal of the Barrier Between God and Man
72A1 1.
Reconciliation — Peace with God
72A2 2.
The Barrier Between God and Man
72A2A a.
Sin
72A2A1 (1).
Unlimited Redemption
72A2A2 (2).
Unlimited Atonement
72A2B b.
Penalty for Sin — Death
72A2B1 (1).
Expiation
72A2C c.
Physical Birth
72A2C1 (1).
Regeneration
72A2D d.
Character of God
72A2D1 (1).
Propitiation
72A2E e.
Righteousness of Man
72A2E1 (1).
Justification
72A2E2 (2).
Imputation
72A2F f.
Position in Adam
72A2F1 (1).
Positional Truth
72A3 3.
Other Biblical Terminology Related to Christ's Death
72B B.
Judgment of the Old Sin Nature
72C C.
Spoiling Principalities and Powers
72D D.
Removal of Pre-Cross Sin, Once Covered by Sacrifice
72E E.
Ending of the Law for Believers
72F F.
Cleansing & Forgiveness for Believers in Time
72G G.
National Salvation of Israel
72H H.
Millennial and Eternal Blessings upon Gentiles
72I I.
Errors Related to the Work of Christ on the Cross
73 III. The Work of the Father and Holy Spirit in
Salvation
74 IV. The Eternal Security of the Believer —
Assurance, Preservation of the Saints
75 V. The Terminology of Salvation
76 VI. Witnessing — Evangelism
77 VII. The Significance of Being a Believer
78 VIII. The Plan of God for Man
Links:
The
Extent of the Atonement: Limited Atonement Versus Unlimited Atonement by
Ron Rhodes, Th.D.
A Biblical Defense
of Lewis Sperry Chafer's View of the Atonement — by Dr. Bruce M. Bumgardner