Atonement: Doctrine Of Covering Sin Or Sin Removal

Today’s blog is heavy on theology, based on a research paper I wrote on atonement while in Seminary. Since this is Easter week, the week we look back to the cross of Christ, understanding this doctrine is very important. Let’s begin with answering the question, Why is atonement necessary? 

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:23

Therefore, relationship between man and God was impossible because of their two opposing natures. God was holy and perfect. Man was unholy and sinful. Therefore, God developed a plan based on His desire to have relationship with us regardless of our flaws. God’s plan of atonement dealt with sin and made a way for us to come into His holy presence. He ordained blood as the sufficient covering for man’s sin. Hence, atonement came to man through sacrifice.

Old Testament Sacrifice

Man entered the world in Genesis 1:27 and atonement followed on his heels. Adam and Eve disobeyed God. i.e. They sinned. Adam and Eve’s sin opened their eyes to see their nakedness. While Genesis 3:21 did not specify atonement, its unspoken message painted the picture of God sacrificing an animal to clothe Adam and Eve after they sinned. 

The first time the term “atonement” appeared in Scripture was in Exodus 29:33. This introduced a specific process instituted by God in preparation for the high priest to enter His holy presence. Moses recorded the detailed pattern of atonement in Leviticus 16. 

Old Testament atonement resulted in temporary passage for one man to enter God’s holy presence on the behalf of himself and His people. 

The Israelites sacrificed animals and by their blood made temporary access for the high priest to enter God’s holy presence. Intercession on behalf of God’s people was the high priest’s role and purpose. The Old Testament requirement was that the high priest should “enter the sanctuary area: with a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering” (Leviticus 16:3). Then the high priest sprinkled blood on the mercy seat where God would meet with His people (Leviticus 16:14-15).

New Testament

Old Testament atonement covered sin. New Testament atonement removed sin.

The author of Hebrews acknowledged the necessity of sacrifice saying, “without shedding of blood there is no remission (Hebrews 9:22). He reached back to the Old Testament atonement pattern and brought it into the light of the New Testament revealing its weakness saying, “every high priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins” (Hebrews 10:11). Then the author pointed to Jesus saying, 

“But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever,

sat down at the right hand of God.

Hebrews 10:12

Repeatedly the author of Hebrews dealt with the idea of the new covenant being a better system. He called it, “a better hope” (Hebrews 7:19), “a better testament” (Hebrews 7:22), “a better covenant,” “better promises” (Hebrews 8:6), and “better sacrifices” (Hebrews 9:23). The word “better” in the Greek language meant “more useful, more profitable…better in value or dignity.” The New Testament introduced a new sacrificial system that proved to be the better of the two.

The Better Sacrifice

Hebrews 4:14 says, “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God.” John the Baptist gave testimony of Jesus, “Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). All four gospels recorded the fulfillment of Jesus’ death on the cross as prophesied in Isaiah 53:7. 

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

Isaiah 53:7

The gospel passages showing the fulfillment of Isaiah 53:7 are Matthew 27:32-56; Mark 15:21-41; Luke 23:26-49; and John 19:17-30.

Hebrews 10:19-22 reveals how one enters the presence of God, “by the blood of Jesus.” The Hebrew’s author called it “a new and living way.” The word “new” was prosphatos meaning “lately slaughtered, recently killed”.  It is a compound word denoting time pointing to a “recent time” and a second part pointing to “a death by violence.”  The author of Hebrews pointed to Christ’s death on the cross that would have still been recent to his audience. 

The word “living” in Greek was zao, a verb that meant “to live, breathe, to be among the living (not lifeless, not dead).” He used contradicting imaginary and married the two vivid opposing ideas. He presented something impossible by human standards yet possible in the economy of God. Jesus being fully God and fully man had recently been 

killed and at the same time was alive, not dead. Jesus was both lamb and High Priest. Jesus’ sacrifice perfected the flawed old covenant atonement.

For if that first covenant had been faultless, 

then no place would have been sought for a second.

Hebrews 8:7

The Perfect Sacrifice

The new atonement gave the believer in Jesus boldness to enter the Holiest with full assurance of faith. The boldness and full assurance came from the once and for all remission of sin. 

By that will we have been sanctified through 

the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:10

The sprinkling of Jesus blood on the hearts of those who accepted the gift of His sacrifice were cleansed from an evil conscience. The New Testament sacrifice fulfilled the requirements of God’s law. God who was perfect and holy offered a way for man to know Him. He did what only He could do. He offered Himself, His own blood as payment for personal relationship with His creation. 

Man had no place in the operations of atonement other than an opportunity to respond to this great gift of salvation. Even our ability to respond to His offer reminds us of God’s work in drawing and calling us to Himself. 

No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.

John 6:44b

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, 

in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, 

that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

We love Him because He first loved us.

1 John 4:19

And that is the story of Easter, the Gospel message to which everyone who hears must respond. If you have not said yes to Jesus and received His beautiful gift of salvation. Do it today! 

Happy Easter to you and yours! 

Love and Blessings!

Pat Domangue