In the Bible, “atoned” refers to the process of reconciliation between God and humanity, often through the offering of sacrifices to cover sin and restore a right relationship with God. It signifies the act of making amends or reparations for wrongdoing, particularly through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, which is seen as the ultimate atonement for sin.
Scripture
29 “And it shall be a statute to you forever that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict yourselves and shall do no work, either the native or the stranger who sojourns among you.
30 for on this day shall atonement be made for you to cleanse you. You shall be clean before the Lord from all your sins.
31 It is a Sabbath of solemn rest to you, and you shall afflict yourselves; it is a statute forever.
32 And the priest who is anointed and consecrated as priest in his father’s place shall make atonement, wearing the holy linen garments.
33 and make atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make atonement for the tent of meeting and for the altar, and he shall make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly.
34 And this shall be a statute forever for you, that atonement may be made for the people of Israel once in the year because of all their sins.” And Aaron did as the Lord commanded Moses.
Biblical Meaning of Atonement
The concept of atonement in the Bible is deeply rooted in the idea of reconciliation and restoration between God and humanity. Primarily, it illustrates the severity of sin and its consequences, which separate humans from God. In the Old Testament, atonement was typically achieved through animal sacrifices, as indicated in Leviticus 17:11, which states, “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.” These sacrifices were temporary measures to cover sins, pointing forward to a more profound and permanent solution.
The New Testament reveals Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of this sacrificial system, emphasizing that His death serves as the ultimate atonement for sin. Hebrews 9:26 declares, “But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.” This transition shifts the focus from continual sacrifices to a single, all-encompassing act that reconciles believers with God. Through faith in Christ, individuals can experience forgiveness and be “justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24). Thus, atonement encapsulates the transformative journey from estrangement to intimate communion with God, illustrating His profound love and justice in redeeming humanity.
In addition to the sacrificial system, the biblical concept of atonement encompasses themes of personal responsibility and repentance. The Old Testament highlights that atonement cannot occur without a genuine turning away from sin. In passages such as Psalm 51, David’s heartfelt plea for mercy after his wrongdoing underscores the necessity of an honest acknowledgment of sin and a sincere desire for forgiveness. This reflects a relational aspect of atonement, where one’s heart attitude plays a pivotal role in restoring harmony with God.
Moreover, the theme of atonement is intricately linked to the prophetic literature, which anticipates a Messianic figure who would bear the sins of many. For instance, Isaiah 53 presents a vivid portrayal of a suffering servant who takes upon himself the transgressions of others, emphasizing not only the sacrificial nature of atonement but also the concept of substitution. This prophetic passage reveals that true atonement transcends mere ritualistic sacrifices and embodies a profound personal substitutionary act that offers hope for redemption. Through these various dimensions, the biblical meaning of atonement unfolds as a comprehensive narrative of grace, possessing both communal significance within covenant relationship and personal impact on individual lives.
The Concept of Reconciliation
In the biblical context, atonement signifies the restoration of a broken relationship between humanity and God. This reconciliation is achieved through acts of sacrifice and repentance, allowing individuals to return to a state of harmony with the divine. The process emphasizes the importance of acknowledging one’s sins and seeking forgiveness, which is essential for spiritual renewal and communion with God.
The Role of Sacrifice
Atonement often involves the idea of sacrifice, where something of value is offered to God as a means of addressing sin and wrongdoing. This sacrificial act serves as a substitute, bearing the consequences of sin and thus satisfying divine justice. The underlying principle is that through sacrifice, individuals can express their remorse and desire for redemption, highlighting the seriousness of sin and the need for a means to restore purity and righteousness.
The Promise of Redemption
Atonement also embodies the promise of redemption and hope for humanity. It signifies that despite the presence of sin and separation from God, there is a pathway to forgiveness and eternal life. This theme is prevalent throughout the scriptures, illustrating that through faith and the acceptance of God’s grace, individuals can experience transformation and a renewed relationship with their Creator. The concept of atonement thus serves as a cornerstone of the biblical narrative, emphasizing God’s love and desire to redeem His people.
How to Embrace Forgiveness for a Stronger Faith
Embracing forgiveness is a transformative journey that can significantly strengthen your faith and deepen your relationship with God. It begins with recognizing that forgiveness is not just a one-time act but a continuous process, much like our walk with Christ. When we hold onto grudges or past hurts, we create barriers that hinder our spiritual growth. Instead, try to reflect on the immense forgiveness that God has extended to us through Jesus—this can inspire you to extend that same grace to others. Start small; perhaps write down those you need to forgive, pray for them, and ask God to soften your heart. Remember, forgiveness doesn’t mean condoning the wrongs done to you, but it frees you from the burden of resentment and opens your heart to love and compassion. As you practice forgiveness, you’ll find that your faith becomes more resilient, allowing you to experience the peace and joy that comes from living in alignment with God’s will.
Bible References to Atonement Explained:
Isaiah 53:4-12: 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?
9 And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.
Romans 3:21-26: 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—
22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.
26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Hebrews 9:11-14: 11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation)
12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.
13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh,
14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
Hebrews 10:1-18: 10 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.
2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins?
3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.
4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me;
6 In burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure.
7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’
When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law),
9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second.
10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,
13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.
14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,
16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them
after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws on their hearts,
and write them on their minds,”
17 then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”
18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.
1 John 2:1-2: 1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
2 Corinthians 5:18-21: 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
1 Peter 2:21-25: 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Leviticus 4:20-26: 20 Thus shall he do with the bull. As he did with the bull of the sin offering, so shall he do with this. And the priest shall make atonement for them, and they shall be forgiven.
21 He shall bring the bull to the entrance of the tent of meeting before the Lord and lay his hand on the head of the bull and kill the bull before the Lord.
22 he shall bring to the Lord as his compensation for the sin that he has committed, a female from the flock, a lamb or a goat, for a sin offering.
23 if it is the anointed priest who sins, thus bringing guilt on the people, then he shall offer for the sin that he has committed a bull from the herd without blemish to the Lord for a sin offering.
24 And he shall lay his hand on the head of the goat and kill it in the place where they kill the burnt offering before the Lord; it is a sin offering.
25 Then the priest shall take some of the blood of the sin offering with his finger and put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering and pour out the rest of its blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering.
26 All its fat he shall burn on the altar, like the fat of the sacrifice of peace offerings. And the priest shall make atonement for him for his sin, and he shall be forgiven.
Exodus 30:10-16: 10 Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once a year. With the blood of the sin offering of atonement, he shall make atonement for it once in the year throughout your generations. It is most holy to the Lord.”
11 The Lord said to Moses,
12 When you take the census of the people of Israel, then each shall give a ransom for his life to the Lord when you number them, that there be no plague among them when you number them.
13 Each one who is numbered in the census shall give this: half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel is twenty gerahs), half a shekel as an offering to the Lord.
14 Everyone who is numbered in the census shall give this: half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel is twenty gerahs), half a shekel as an offering to the Lord.
15 The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less, than the half shekel, when you give the Lord’s offering to make atonement for your lives.
16 You shall take the atonement money from the people of Israel and shall give it for the service of the tent of meeting, that it may bring the people of Israel to remembrance before the Lord, so as to make atonement for your lives.”
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.