It is my purpose to discuss in this and its related blogs what the Bible says about the atonement in as objective a fashion as I can. I may not list every verse used to defend one view or another. I may claim as indefensible some verses that have been used. My hope is that you, the reader, will have a better knowledge of the Bible and gain enthusiasm to become a more diligent student, carefully applying the Word of Truth. So please verify and confirm whatever is written here on your own to refine your own view.
What does atonement mean? This has to be the starting question. It is impossible to determine any scriptural truth about the atonement until the term is defined.
Yom Kippur is a Jewish holiday with which many are familiar. It is the Day, yom, of Atonement, kippur, the Hebrew word normally defined as atonement. So we have a place to start our defining process- the Hebrew Dictionary. I use Gesenius Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon, Analytical Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon, Theological Dictionary of Old Testament Words. Here is what we find there.
The most common meaning of ‘kippur’ is to purge, reconcile. A variation of the word means ‘to ransom, redeem.’ Comparing the 150 references, most of which relate simply to the priests’ sprinkling of blood on the altar or mercy seat leads to this conclusion: atonement means to purge sin and satisfy God by offering a substitute.
Some suggest the idea of atonement is to cover. A similar word to kippur may mean pitch, the tar like coating which Noah used to cover the ark But this very term used in connection with people means redemption in Exodus 21:30.
There are some significant results of atonement that should also be considered. To atone is always connected with the removal of sin. There are three references where the action may be less serious but the overwhelming evidence shows that atonement removed sin for a specific group of individuals, i.e., those who actively participated in the sacrifice.
What did this removal of sin include? There are five types of OT offerings- burnt, meal, peace, sin, and trespass. Three of the five involve atonement. Leviticus 1:4 says the burnt offering was accepted to make atonement. Leviticus 4:20-35 includes the sin offering with atonement. Leviticus 5:6-18 brings in the guilt or trespass offering. There was also one fast day on the Jewish calendar, the Day of Atonement. On this special Day of Atonement, as Leviticus 16 describes, blood was sprinkled on the place of Atonement, the kippuret. But that was not the normal custom, just a one day a year event. Typically, atonement was a consistent result of the regular sacrificial offerings.
The sin offering was made because one may sin without bearing intentional guilt. The NT word sin amartanw, hamartano, is the equivalent here. It means to miss the mark. This is still sin that needs forgiveness, the consequences remain the same but guilt is not imputed, Proverbs 8:36 and 19:2. God will punish sin unless forgiven and through atonement He forgives sin. And consequently purges sin. This is the promise the sin offering fulfills- forgiveness and cleansing.
The trespass or guilt offering, based on the meaning of the word to bend or twist, includes sins that are particularly destructive. This trespass includes all types of misdeeds against God and man. Guilt is the consequence of trespass and according to OT teaching always brings punishment unless God intervenes. Further, the OT teaches that the atonement of the trespass offering is substitutionary. God intervenes by offering a substitute. The result of that atonement is the removal of guilt. Isaiah 53:6 “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, each one to his own way; and Jehovah has laid on Him the iniquity (guilt) of us all.” Think about this. If the guilt of everyone is laid on Christ then no one has any guilt. But death comes and many people end up in hell because they are guilty of sin. Who are the “all “of this verse?
The Old Testament teaching about atonement may be summed up this way.
1. Sin and guilt separate God and man.
2. Atonement for sin, which always includes reconciliation, purging, and redemption as its result, was necessary to renew a relationship with God.
3. The atonement, as described in the Old Testament, was always successful in this renewal. In other words, atonement always removed guilt, always purged, and always forgave transgressions.
4. Only those who personally participated in the process were effected. Leviticus usually refers to individuals bringing their own offering. Please read these verses from that book: 1:2,14; 2:1; 3:1-2; 4:2; 5:1 with verse 6; 5:8,13,16, 17-19, etc. Leviticus 4:13 discusses the congregation of Israel sinning and sacrificial atonement being applied. But most references are to individuals only. See Chapter 14 in regard to lepers. Leviticus 16 describes the Day of Atonement. It is for all the people. But Leviticus 17:3-4 refer to a man who does not offer his sacrifice as being cut off from the people. So also 17:8-9.
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