THE DOCTRINE OF THE ATONEMENT FOR SIN
MEMORY VERSE: EPH. 2:8,9
MEMORY VERSE: EPH. 2:8,9
The extreme importance of salvation is emphasized in our Confession of Faith. It is the subject of 5 (25%) of our 20 Articles of Faith.
1. The word “atonement” is found in our English Bible only once in the N.T. (Rom. 5:11).
2. The Greek word “KATALLAGE” – noun; “KATALLASSO” – verb; is translated atonement (1), reconciliation (2), reconciling (1), reconcile (6). This word “denotes reconciliation, a change on the part of one party, induced by an action on the part of another; in the N.T., the reconciliation of men to God by His grace and love in Christ.” Vine. God is never said to be reconciled. It is man that must be reconciled.
3. The O.T. word for atonement “KAPHAR” (has to do with a covering), is translated 70 or more times “make atonement”, and is translated “make reconciliation” 4 times. It is also translated a number of other ways–pacify, pardon, purge away, etc. It is definitely related to the N.T. mercy seat and propitiation.
4. While it is helpful to consult word studies on atonement, reconciliation, etc., we must be careful not to take a restricted meaning of a word that may not harmonize with the overall usage in the Bible.
I. SALVATION IS BY GRACE.
A. God Saves Only Sinners. (See Article “VI. Of The Fall).
1. Man is a sinner by birth, nature and practice.
2. Sin is transgression of the Law. I John 3:4. (Anything that is not in the will of God is sin).
B. Salvation Is Wholly By God’s Grace.
1. Grace is God’s unmerited favor. No man merits it.
2. It is wholly of grace. Not part grace and part works. See (a)-1-2-3
II. SALVATION IS BY THE SAVIOUR.
A. What The Saviour Did For Sinners.
1. He became the mediator, the go-between who possessed the nature of both God and man. I Tim. 2:5
2. He was appointed by the Father. (b)-1 John 3:16
3. He freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin. (b)-3 Phil. 2:7
4. He personally obeyed all the Laws of God, and lived a life completely and perfectly in the will of God.
5. By His death He made full and vicarious atonement for our sins. “Vicarious” means on behalf of, or in place of another. Through the sacrifice of Christ, God is propitiated and the sinner is reconciled unto God. See (b)-5-67-8-9
B. The Saviour Took The Sinner’s Place.
1. He was a perfect example, but it was not through His perfect example that men are saved. He did not die as a martyr.
2. He voluntarily became our substitute. (c)-1-2-3
3. He bare our sins in His own body. (c)-4 I Pet. 2:24; (c)-5 1 Pet. 3:18.
4. His sacrifice completely satisfied the Father. (c)-6 Isa. 53:11; (c)-7 Heb. 12:2
C. He Is Now Our [Believer’s] High Priest And Intercessor.
1. He was raised from the dead. (d)-1 I Cor. 15:20; I Cor. 15:4
2. He is now sitting at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for us. I John 2:1,2; (d)-3 Heb. 9:12-15; (d)-4 Heb. 7:25. See also Heb. 10:10-14 and Rom. 5:8-11.