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Christ's Atoning Work in Scripture Explained

Christ's atoning work refers to the reconciliation achieved through his death, which addresses the separation between God and humanity caused by sin [1]. The term "atonement" itself signifies "at-one-ment" or reconciliation [1]. While the word "atonement" appears frequently in the Old Testament, the New Testament primarily uses "reconciliation" in passages like Romans 5:11 [1].

The atoning work of Christ was foreordained and foretold in scripture [2]. Old Testament prophets like Isaiah (53:4-6, 8-12) and Daniel (9:24-27) spoke of a figure who would bring about this reconciliation [2]. Revelation 13:8 also refers to Christ as the "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world," indicating the eternal plan for his sacrifice [2]. This work is exclusively accomplished by Christ, as highlighted in passages such as John 1:29, Acts 4:12, and 1 Timothy 2:5-6 [2]. His sacrifice was voluntary, demonstrating his love and obedience (John 10:11, 15, 17-18; Hebrews 10:5-9) [2].

The atonement exhibits God's grace, mercy, and love (Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:4-5, 7; 1 John 4:9-10) [2]. It also reconciles God's justice and mercy, providing a means for forgiveness while upholding divine righteousness (Isaiah 45:21) [2].

In the Old Testament, atonement was made through sacrifices, typically performed by priests [4]. These sacrifices were necessary for propitiating God, ransoming individuals, and purifying people and objects [4]. For example, Exodus 29:36 describes the daily offering of a bull for sin offering for atonement and the cleansing and anointing of the altar [6]. Similarly, Aaron was to make atonement on the horns of the altar once a year with the blood of the sin offering [7, 14]. The purpose of these rituals was to make persons and objects capable of existing in God's presence by negating the effects of sin [8]. Ramban, a medieval Jewish scholar, explains that atonement was achieved through the priest's actions with blood and oil, as seen in the purification of a leper [11]. He also notes that sprinklings before the ark-cover and the veil in the Tent of Meeting effected atonement for impurities that befell the Sanctuary and its holy objects [12].

Christ's atoning work fulfills and transcends these Old Testament practices. He is identified as the "Christ," meaning "Anointed," a Greek translation of the Hebrew "Messiah" [3]. This title signifies his consecration as Prophet, Priest, and King for his redemptive work [3, 5]. As the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus himself is characterized as God's provision of final atonement, satisfying God's anger against sin [10]. The Greek word hilastērion, used in Romans 3:25, refers to the "atonement cover" on the Ark of the Covenant, which was central to the Day of Atonement ritual [10]. This indicates that Jesus embodies the means of atonement.

The effects of Christ's atoning work include redemption, justification, reconciliation, and propitiation [2]. It brings about peace with God (Romans 5:1), forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7), and cleansing from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:7) [2]. Matthew Henry notes that Christ's work is perfect; he heals those he has torn and binds up those he has smitten [9]. Zechariah 13:1 speaks of a "fountain opened" in the gospel day for cleansing from sin, which Matthew Henry interprets as the blood of Christ taking away the guilt of sin [15]. This cleansing is not merely symbolic but a profound transformation, making individuals holy, just as the altar was made "most holy" through atonement in the Old Testament [13].

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Atonement — This word does not occur in the Authorized Version of the New Testament except in Rom. 5:11, where in the Revised Version the word "reconciliation" is used. In the Old Testament it is of frequent occurrence. The meaning of the word is simply at-one-ment, i.e., the state of being at one or being reconciled, so that atonement is reconciliation. Thus it is used to denote the effect which flows from the death of Christ. But the word is also used to denote that by which this reconciliation is brought about, viz., the death of Christ itself; and when so used it”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Atonement, The — Explained -- Ro 5:8-11; 2Co 5:18,19; Ga 1:4; 1Jo 2:2; 4:10. Foreordained -- Ro 3:25; 1Pe 1:11,20; Re 13:8. Foretold -- Isa 53:4-6,8-12; Da 9:24-27; Zec 13:1,7; Joh 11:50,51. Effected by Christ alone -- Joh 1:29,36; Ac 4:10,12; 1Th 1:10; 1Ti 2:5,6; Heb 2:9; 1Pe 2:24. Was voluntary -- Ps 40:6-8; Heb 10:5-9; Joh 10:11,15,17,18. Exhibits the Grace and mercy of God. -- Ro 8:32; Eph 2:4,5,7; 1Ti 2:4; Heb 2:9. Love of God. -- Ro 5:8; 1Jo 4:9,10. Love of Christ. -- Joh 15:13; Ga 2:20; Eph 5:2,25; Re 1:5. Reconciles the justice and mercy of God -- Isa 45:21; ”
  3. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Christ — Anointed, the Greek translation of the Hebrew word rendered "Messiah" (q.v.), the official title of our Lord, occurring five hundred and fourteen times in the New Testament. It denotes that he was anointed or consecrated to his great redemptive work as Prophet, Priest, and King of his people. He is Jesus the Christ (Acts 17:3; 18:5; Matt. 22:42), the Anointed One. He is thus spoken of by Isaiah (61:1), and by Daniel (9:24-26), who styles him "Messiah the Prince." The Messiah is the same person as "the seed of the woman" (Gen. 3:15), "the seed of Abraham" (Ge”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Atonement, Under the Law — Made by sacrifice -- Le 1:4,5. By priests alone -- 1Ch 6:49; 2Ch 29:24. Necessary for Propitiating God. -- Ex 32:30; Le 23:27,28; 2Sa 21:3. Ransoming. -- Ex 30:15,16; Job 33:24. Purifying. -- Ex 29:36. Offered for The congregation. -- Nu 15:25; 2Ch 29:24. The priests. -- Ex 29:31-33; Le 8:34. Persons sinning ignorantly. -- Le 4:20-35. Persons sinning wilfully. -- Le 6:7. Persons swearing rashly. -- Le 5:4,6. Persons withholding evidence. -- Le 5:1,6. Persons unclean. -- Le 5:2,3,6. Women after childbirth. -- Le 12:8. The altar. -- Ex 29:36,”
  5. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Kingly office of Christ — One of the three special relations in which Christ stands to his people. Christ's office as mediator comprehends three different functions, viz., those of a prophet, priest, and king. These are not three distinct offices, but three functions of the one office of mediator. Christ is King and sovereign Head over his Church and over all things to his Church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; Col. 1:18; 2:19). He executes this mediatorial kingship in his Church, and over his Church, and over all things in behalf of his Church. This royalty differs from that whic”
  6. Exodus “Every day you shall offer the bull of sin offering for atonement: and you shall cleanse the altar, when you make atonement for it; and you shall anoint it, to sanctify it. -- Exodus 29:36”
  7. Exodus “Exodus 30:10 (BSB) — Once a year Aaron shall make atonement on the horns of the altar. Throughout your generations he shall make atonement on it annually with the blood of the sin offering of atonement. The altar is most holy to the LORD.””
  8. Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 29:33: 29:33 their purification: Or their atonement. Traditionally, atonement has been described as a “covering over.” Some more recent commentators seek to derive the term from another Semitic root (which does not occur elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible) and thus arrive at “blot out, erase, or cleanse.” In either case, the effect is the same: Persons and objects are made capable of surviving in God’s presence because of a negation of the effects of their sin.”
  9. Acts (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Acts 9:10: As for God, his work is perfect; if he begin, he will make an end: a good work was begun in Saul, when he was brought to Christ's feet, in that word, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And never did Christ leave any that were brought to that. Though Saul was sadly mortified when he lay three days blind, yet he was not abandoned. Christ here takes care of the work of his own hands. He that hath torn will heal - that hath smitten will bind up - that hath convinced will comfort. I. Ananias is here ordered to go and look after him, to heal and help him; for he that cau”
  10. Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 3:25: 3:25 the sacrifice for sin (Greek hilastērion): This Greek word is used in the Greek Old Testament to refer to the “atonement cover,” the cover that rested on the Ark of the Covenant in the inner sanctuary of the Tabernacle. The atonement cover was prominent in the Day of Atonement ritual (Lev 16) and came to stand for the atonement ceremony itself. Paul characterizes Jesus Christ as God’s provision of final atonement for his people. Jesus himself satisfies, or absorbs in himself, the anger of God against all sinful people (see Rom 1:18). • those who sinned in tim”
  11. Sefaria (Jewish (Kabbalistic/Philosophical)) “Ramban (Nachmanides) on Leviticus 14:18: AND THE REST OF THE OIL THAT IS IN THE PRIEST’S HAND HE SHALL PUT UPON THE HEAD OF HIM TO BE CLEANSED; AND THE PRIEST SHALL MAKE ATONEMENT FOR HIM BEFORE THE ETERNAL. This atonement is accomplished by means of the priest’s acts with the blood of the guilt-offering [as prescribed in Verse 14] and the oil [as set forth in Verses 15-18]. Similarly, the verse stating [in connection with a leper who is poor], to make atonement for him before the Eternal , 72 Further, Verse 29. [carries the same meaning]. And in the Torath Kohanim we find it said: 73 Torath K”
  12. Sefaria (Jewish (Kabbalistic/Philosophical)) “Ramban (Nachmanides) on Leviticus 16:18: AND HE SHALL GO OUT UNTO THE ALTAR THAT IS BEFORE THE ETERNAL AND MAKE ATONEMENT FOR IT, etc. The sprinklings before the ark-cover [in the Holy of Holies] 97 Verses 14-15. effected atonement for impurity that befell the innermost part of the Sanctuary and its hallowed things. The sprinklings in front of the Veil in the Tent of Meeting [which divided between the holy place and the most holy], 98 Verse 16. effected atonement for impurity that befell the Sanctuary and its holy things, such as the candelabrum, the table, the showbread, and the Veil itself. ”
  13. Exodus (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Exodus 29:37: Seven days thou shalt make atonement for the altar, and sanctify it,.... That it might be thoroughly fit to have sacrifices offered on it: and it shall be an altar most holy; as Christ is, and is called the Most Holy, and said to be anointed, Dan 9:24. He is holy in his person, nature, and offices, more holy than angels or men; as holy as the Lord God, the God of Israel, his Father, who is glorious in holiness, and none like to him for it: whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy; that is, whatsoever gift or sacrifice, according to law, was offered on it, what”
  14. Exodus (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Exodus 30:10: And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year,.... On the day of atonement, as the Targum of Jonathan, and so Jarchi and Aben Ezra explain it; and the atonement here referred to seems to be an atonement for the altar itself, see Lev 16:18 and as the altar of burnt offering was first expiated and then used, Exo 29:36 so it seems the altar of incense had not only an atonement made on it, but for it: and this was done with the blood of the sin offering of atonement; by sprinkling the blood of that offering upon the horns of it, as we learn from”
  15. Zechariah (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Zechariah 13:1: Behold the Lamb of God taking away the sin of the world, the sin of the church; for therefore was the Son of God manifested, to take away our sin, Jo1 3:5. I. He takes away the guilt of sin by the blood of his cross (Zac 13:1): In that day, in the gospel-day, there shall be a fountain opened, that is, provision made for the cleansing of all those from the pollutions of sin who truly repent and are sorry for them. In that day, when the Spirit of grace is poured out to set them a mourning for their sins, they shall not mourn as those who have no hope, but they sh”
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