Remembrance of Christ's Atoning Work in Christian Theology
The remembrance of Christ's atoning work is central to Christian theology, often understood as the means by which humanity is reconciled with God. The term "atonement" itself signifies "at-one-ment," or the state of being reconciled [1]. While the word "atonement" appears frequently in the Old Testament, in the New Testament, the concept is often conveyed through terms like "reconciliation," as seen in Romans 5:11 [1].
The atoning work of Christ is fundamentally linked to his death, which is understood as a sacrifice "for our sins" [7]. This sacrifice is not merely a historical event but the means by which God brings about reconciliation [1, 5]. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the atonement as a point of primary importance, a foundational element of Christian faith [7]. This understanding aligns with the Old Testament concept of atonement, where rituals and sacrifices served to "cover over" or "blot out" sins, enabling individuals and objects to exist in God's presence despite their imperfections [2].
The New Testament further elaborates on this concept, portraying God as being "in Christ, reconciling" the world to himself [5]. This reconciliation is not a human achievement but a divine initiative, with God acting through Christ's intervention [5]. The continuous purpose of God to reconcile humanity, foreseen even before the world's foundation, is implied in this act [5].
For believers, the remembrance of Christ's atoning work involves a personal appropriation of this reconciliation through faith. This means not relying on one's own righteousness or actions for salvation, but rather trusting in the justification received through Christ's atonement [3]. As Adam Clarke explains, this is "God's method of justifying sinners through faith in his Son" [3]. Those who believe in Christ and are baptized into him are said to "put on Christ," receiving his Spirit and entering into his interests, thereby assuming his character [6]. This act of "putting on Christ" signifies a deep identification with his atoning work and its implications for one's life [6].
The ministry of reconciliation, as described in 2 Corinthians 5:19, holds out the doctrine that "God was in Christ" as the means to bring about this reconciliation [4]. Christ, as the Messiah, fulfills the roles of prophet, priest, and king, not only for the Jewish people but for all humanity [4]. His unique person combines these offices, making him the sole agent of atonement and reconciliation [4]. The remembrance of this work, therefore, is not just a mental exercise but a continuous recognition of God's saving action through Christ, leading to a transformed life lived in faith and in accordance with Christ's character [3, 6].
Sources
- 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”
- 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.”
- Philippians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Philippians 3:9: And be found in him - Be found a believer in Christ, not having mine own righteousness - not trusting in any thing I have done or could do, in order to my salvation; relying on no scheme of justification, set up either formerly by myself or by others. But that which is through the faith of Christ - That justification which is received by faith through the atonement made by Christ. The righteousness which is of God - God's method of justifying sinners through faith in his Son. See the notes on Rom 3:21, Rom 3:23 (note), Rom 3:25 (note), where this subject is trea”
- 2 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Corinthians 5:19: That God was in Christ - This is the doctrine which this ministry of reconciliation holds out, and the doctrine which it uses to bring about the reconciliation itself. God was in Christ: 1. Christ is the same as Messiah, the Anointed One, who was to be prophet, priest, and king, to the human race; not to the Jews only, but also to the Gentiles. There had been prophets, priests, and kings, among the Jews and their ancestors; and some who had been priest and prophet, king and priest, and king and prophet; but none have ever sustained in his own person the three”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 5:19: God was in Christ, reconciling--that is, God was BY Christ (in virtue of Christ's intervention) reconciling," &c. Was reconciling" implies the time when the act of reconciliation was being carried into effect (Co2 5:21), namely, when "God made Jesus, who knew no sin, to be sin for us." The compound of "was" and the participle "reconciling," instead of the imperfect (Greek), may also imply the continuous purpose of God, from before the foundation of the world, to reconcile man to Himself, whose fall was foreseen. The expression " IN Christ" for "”
- Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 3:27: As many of you as have been baptized into Christ - All of you who have believed in Christ as the promised Messiah, and received baptism as a public proof that ye had received Christ as your Lord and Savior, have put on Christ - have received his Spirit, and entered into his interests, and copied his manners. To put on, or to be clothed with one, is to assume the person and character of that one; and they who do so are bound to act his part, and to sustain the character which they have assumed. The profession of Christianity is an assumption of the character of Ch”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 15:3: I delivered unto you--A short creed, or summary of articles of faith, was probably even then existing; and a profession in accordance with it was required of candidates for baptism (Act 8:37). first of all--literally, "among the foremost points" (Heb 6:2). The atonement is, in Paul's view, of primary importance. which I . . . received--from Christ Himself by special revelation (compare Co1 11:23). died for our sins--that is, to atone FOR them; for taking away our sins (Jo1 3:5; compare Gal 1:4): "gave Himself for our sins" (Isa 53:5; Co2 5”