{"id":5665,"date":"2026-07-22T07:49:08","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T12:49:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adamosborne.net\/?p=5665"},"modified":"2026-07-22T07:55:41","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T12:55:41","slug":"atonement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adamosborne.net\/index.php\/2026\/07\/atonement\/","title":{"rendered":"Atonement"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What does &#8220;atonement&#8221; mean?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In its simplest sense:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Atonement is God&#8217;s provision through which sin is dealt with so that sinful people can be reconciled to a holy God.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The atonement is centered on <strong>the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The English word<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The English word <strong>atonement<\/strong> is often explained as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>at-one-ment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While that&#8217;s not its linguistic origin, it is a helpful illustration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The idea is: People who were separated from God because of sin are brought back into fellowship with Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Old Testament background<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To understand the New Testament, we must first understand the Old Testament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After Adam sinned:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>sin entered the world,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>fellowship with God was broken,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>death became the penalty.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Throughout the Old Testament, God taught Israel that sin required a sacrifice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Leviticus 17:11 says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls&#8230;&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Blood represented life. The innocent animal died in place of the guilty sinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But&#8230;those sacrifices never permanently removed sin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hebrews 10:4 says: &#8220;It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They pointed forward to Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Day of Atonement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the greatest pictures of Christ is found in Leviticus 16. Once each year, on the Day of Atonement:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The high priest offered sacrifices for the nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two goats were used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Goat #1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Was sacrificed. Its blood was taken into the Holy of Holies. This pictured satisfaction for sin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Goat #2 (the scapegoat)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The priest laid his hands on it. The sins of Israel were symbolically placed upon it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The goat was sent into the wilderness. This pictured sin being removed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both goats together point to Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Jesus fulfilled the Day of Atonement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jesus became:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>our High Priest,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>our sacrifice,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>our scapegoat.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hebrews says Christ entered the heavenly sanctuary once for all by His own blood, securing eternal redemption:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Hebrews 9:11\u201312 (ESV)<\/em><\/strong> <em><\/em><em>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) <strong><sup>12&nbsp;<\/sup><\/strong>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.<\/em><em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What did Christ accomplish?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The New Testament uses several beautiful words to describe the atonement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Sacrifice<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Christ died in our place. Isaiah 53 &#8220;He was pierced for our transgressions&#8230;&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Substitution<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jesus bore the penalty we deserved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>2 Corinthians 5:21<\/em><\/strong> <em>&#8220;He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us&#8230;&#8221; This is called <strong>substitutionary atonement<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Propitiation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is one of the richest biblical words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-style:italic;font-weight:400\"><strong>Romans 3:25<\/strong> (ESV) whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God\u2019s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-style:italic;font-weight:400\"><strong>1 John 2:2<\/strong> (ESV) He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Propitiation means God&#8217;s righteous wrath against sin is satisfied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not because God overlooked sin&#8230;but because Christ bore the judgment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. Redemption<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This means to purchase someone&#8217;s freedom. Imagine a slave being bought out of slavery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Christ redeemed us from slavery to sin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-style:italic;font-weight:400\"><strong>Ephesians 1:7<\/strong> &#8220;In Him we have redemption through His blood&#8230;&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5. Reconciliation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because of the cross, enemies become friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Romans 5:10<\/em><\/strong> <em>&#8220;We were reconciled to God through the death of His Son.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>6. Forgiveness<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our sins are removed. Psalm 103 says as far as the east is from the west.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Is atonement the same as salvation?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not exactly. Think of it this way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The atonement is <strong>what Christ accomplished.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Salvation is <strong>the application of Christ&#8217;s work to individual believers.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Where Reformed and Traditional Baptists disagree<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Neither group disagrees about <strong>what the atonement is.<\/strong> They disagree about <strong>for whom Christ made it.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Traditional Baptist<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Christ died for every human being. His death is sufficient for everyone. Only believers receive its benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Common verses:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>John 3:16<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 Timothy 2:4\u20136<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 John 2:2<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2 Peter 3:9<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Reformed Baptist<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Christ&#8217;s death is sufficient for all. But its saving purpose was specifically for the elect. Christ actually purchased salvation for those the Father had given Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Common verses:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>John 10:11<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Matthew 1:21<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ephesians 5:25<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is often called <strong>Definite Atonement<\/strong> or <strong>Particular Redemption<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What all Baptists agree on<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Regardless of these differences, both Reformed and Traditional Baptists affirm that Christ&#8217;s atoning work is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Perfect.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Complete.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sufficient.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Necessary.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The only basis of salvation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Received by grace through faith.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A good definition<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Atonement is the saving work of Jesus Christ by which, through His sinless life, sacrificial death, and bodily resurrection, He satisfied God&#8217;s justice, paid the penalty for sin, and made reconciliation with God possible for all who believe in Him.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I think both Reformed and Traditional Baptists could affirm that statement. They would differ, however, on <strong>the intent and extent of Christ&#8217;s atoning work<\/strong>\u2014whether it was designed specifically for the elect or for all humanity with its benefits applied only to believers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ATONEMENT &#8211; Summarize it with <strong>five biblical words<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Substitution<\/strong> \u2014 Christ died <strong>instead of us<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Propitiation<\/strong> \u2014 Christ <strong>satisfied God&#8217;s righteous wrath<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Redemption<\/strong> \u2014 Christ <strong>paid the price to set sinners free<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Reconciliation<\/strong> \u2014 Christ <strong>brought sinners back to God<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Forgiveness<\/strong> \u2014 Christ <strong>removed the guilt of sin<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Those five concepts together capture the heart of the biblical doctrine of the atonement and provide a balanced framework that Christians across Baptist traditions have historically affirmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Contact\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:adam@adamosborne.net\">Adam<\/a><br>07\/22\/26<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What does &#8220;atonement&#8221; mean? In its simplest sense: Atonement is God&#8217;s provision through which sin is dealt with so that sinful people can be reconciled to a holy God. The atonement is centered on the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross. The English word The English word atonement is often explained as: at-one-ment [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5665","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-old-new-testament"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pgIEZq-1tn","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adamosborne.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5665","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adamosborne.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adamosborne.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adamosborne.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adamosborne.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5665"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/adamosborne.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5665\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5671,"href":"https:\/\/adamosborne.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5665\/revisions\/5671"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adamosborne.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5665"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adamosborne.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5665"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adamosborne.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5665"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}