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