ATONEMENT

•         Jesus’ death provided justification–a picture from the courtroom (Rom. 3:24-26, 5:1-9, 6:7). Justification answered the wrath of God toward sin (Rom. 1:17-18).

           □         In Jesus’ death God defended His justice (Rom. 3:26). How could God be just and still justify the guilty (Prov. 17:15; Rom. 4:5)? God demanded the atonement and provided it in Christ.

           □         In Jesus’ death God declared sinners justified (Rom. 3:26). God counts a sinner justified who places faith in Jesus (the righteous substitute) and makes that one righteous (1 Cor. 1:30).

                      ♦         Justification is a gift (Rom. 3:24; Mt. 10:8; Rev. 22:17). A person can only accept a justification offered freely as a gift by God’s grace (Is. 55:1; Jn. 4:10).

                      ♦         Justification is by grace (Rom. 5:21). God’s justification of a sinner is “unearned and unmerited.”

•         Jesus’ death provided redemption–a picture from the marketplace (Rom. 3:24; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14). Redemption referred to money paid for a ransom for prisoners of war, slaves, and criminals condemned to death. God through the blood of Christ paid the ransom to Himself (1 Pet. 1:18-19).

•         Jesus’ death provided propitiation–a picture from the mercy seat (Ex. 25:17-22; Rom. 3:25; 1 Jn. 2:2, 4:10; Lk. 18:13). Propitiation referred to the means of appeasing or expiating. The propitiatory offering of Jesus Christ averted the divine wrath.

           □         Propitiation means a sacrifice took place (blood-Rom. 3:25, 5:9; Col. 1:20; Heb. 9:22; 1 Pet. 1:19; Rev. 1:5). “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” Christ willingly offered His blood as a sacrifice for sins (Heb. 10:12).

           □         Propitiation means a substitution took place (Mt. 20:28; Jn. 15:13; Rom. 5:6-8; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 3:18). God in Christ voluntarily gave Himself in the place of the sinner (Is. 53:4-6).

•         Jesus’ death provided reconciliation–a picture from friendship (Rom. 5:10-11-18; 2 Cor. 5:18-19-20; Eph. 2:16; Col. 1:20-21). God initiated reconciliation through Christ to make a relationship possible with those at enmity with Himself through sin.