Atonement

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 9
 
is spoken of in two ways: (1) As the sacrificial work of Christ on the cross, including both propitiation and substitution (see both). It is not merely the covering of sin, the primary meaning of the word, but involves expiation before God, and the purging and forgiving of the sinner. It is made by the blood of Christ. In the Old Testament it is foreshadowed by numerous types (see DAY OF ATONEMENT), by which we learn that atonement (in this sense) must be by blood (Lev. 17:1111For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. (Leviticus 17:11)), and requires a priest to make it. Atonement now always refers to the finished work of Christ on the cross, never to be repeated. (2) Atonement in connection with God’s government on earth was made in various ways—see Ex. 30:15, 1615The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the Lord, to make an atonement for your souls. 16And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the Lord, to make an atonement for your souls. (Exodus 30:15‑16); Num. 8:19; 31:50; 35:3319And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of the congregation, and to make an atonement for the children of Israel: that there be no plague among the children of Israel, when the children of Israel come nigh unto the sanctuary. (Numbers 8:19)
50We have therefore brought an oblation for the Lord, what every man hath gotten, of jewels of gold, chains, and bracelets, rings, earrings, and tablets, to make an atonement for our souls before the Lord. (Numbers 31:50)
33So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it. (Numbers 35:33); Deut. 21:88Be merciful, O Lord, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel's charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them. (Deuteronomy 21:8); Num. 25:1313And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel. (Numbers 25:13); 2 Sam. 21:33Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the Lord? (2 Samuel 21:3)—and did not involve blood-shedding. This atonement did not in itself put away sin, but consisted in an acknowledgment, or vindication of God.