Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Etymology:The term "atone" originates from the Middle English phrase "at one," meaning to reconcile or bring into unity. In a biblical context, atonement refers to the reconciliation between God and humanity, achieved through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. The concept is central to Christian theology, emphasizing the restoration of a broken relationship due to sin.
Old Testament Context:In the Old Testament, atonement is primarily associated with the sacrificial system established by God for the Israelites. The Hebrew word for atonement, "kaphar," means to cover or make propitiation. The Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, was the most significant day for atonement in the Jewish calendar. On this day, the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16). The blood of animals was used as a temporary covering for sin, symbolizing the need for purification and reconciliation with God.
Key Old Testament Passages:·
Leviticus 17:11 : "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life."
·
Exodus 30:10 : "Once a year Aaron is to make atonement on its horns. Throughout your generations, he is to make atonement for it once a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonement. It is most holy to the LORD."
New Testament Fulfillment:The New Testament reveals the fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrificial system through the atoning work of Jesus Christ. Jesus is described as the ultimate and perfect sacrifice, whose death on the cross provides complete atonement for sin. This act of atonement is not merely a covering but a full removal of sin, offering eternal reconciliation with God.
Key New Testament Passages:·
Romans 3:25 : "God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand."
· 1
John 2:2 : "He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."
Theological Significance:Atonement is foundational to Christian doctrine, underscoring the gravity of sin and the necessity of divine intervention for salvation. It highlights God's justice and mercy, as sin requires a penalty, yet God provides a means of redemption through Christ. The atonement is both substitutionary and penal, meaning Christ took the place of sinners and bore the punishment deserved by humanity.
Practical Implications:For believers, the atonement of Christ is the basis for forgiveness, justification, and sanctification. It calls Christians to live in gratitude and obedience, reflecting the transformative power of Christ's sacrifice. The atonement also serves as a model for reconciliation in human relationships, encouraging forgiveness and unity within the body of Christ.
Conclusion:The concept of atonement is central to understanding the narrative of redemption throughout the Bible. It bridges the Old and New Testaments, revealing God's consistent plan to restore humanity to Himself through the ultimate sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. i.) To make amends; as to atone for a mistake.
2. (v. i.) To stand as an equivalent; to make reparation, compensation, or amends, for an offense or a crime.
3. (v. t.) To set at one; to reduce to concord; to reconcile, as parties at variance; to appease.
4. (v. t.) To unite in making.
5. (v. t.) To make satisfaction for; to expiate.
Greek
2433. hilaskomai -- to be propitious, make propitiation for... Middle voice from the same as hileos; to conciliate, ie (transitively) to
atone for (sin), or (intransitively) be propitious -- be merciful, make
...Strong's Hebrew
3722a. kaphar -- to cover over, pacify, make propitiation... Word Origin denominative verb from kopher Definition to cover over, pacify, make
propitiation NASB Word Usage appease (1), appease* (1),
atone (3), atoned (2
...Library
Almsgiving Will notAtone for Sin Unless the Life be Changed.
... Chapter 70."Almsgiving Will NotAtone for Sin Unless the Life Be Changed.
We must beware, however, lest any one should suppose...
Implanted Dispositions.
... of God. And if there is no sin, there is no need of a Savior toatone for
sin; for toatone for nothing is no atonement. Then there...
A Hymn on Recovery from Severe Illness
... Except thro' Him"thro' Him, Who stands alone,. Of worth, of weight allow'd for
all mankind toatone!... That for the past the future mayatone;...
Saw Ye My Savior? PM Christ's Crucifixion.
... Saw ye my Savior, saw ye my Savior, Saw ye my Savior and God? Oh! he died on Calvary,
Toatone for you and me, And to purchase our pardon with blood....
Whether Christ Ought to have Suffered on the Cross?
... Secondly, because this kind of death was especially suitable in order toatone for
the sin of our first parent, which was the plucking of the apple from the...
Whether Contrition, Confession, and Satisfaction are Fittingly...
... Accordingly the first requisite on the part of the penitent is the will toatone,
and this is done by contrition; the second is that he submit to the judgment...
Whether Christ's Passion Brought About Our Salvation by Way of...
... is of greater account than the flesh. Therefore Christ did notatone for
our sins by His Passion. On the contrary, It is written...
Whether Christ was Born Without his Mother Suffering?
... integrity, without detriment to the purity of her maidenhood." Christ, indeed, suffered
death, but through His own spontaneous desire, in order toatone for us...
The Fear which Terminates in the Second Death.
... trust in God, and reliance on his grace in Christ"that which operates to explain
away the law of God"that which puts men upon duty in order toatone for sin...
Balak's Inquiries Relative to the Service of God, and Balaam's...
... Would not refute the dearest of his offspring toatone for his sin, and bring over
the God of Israel to be his God, in the time of his distress!...
Thesaurus
Atone (8 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To make amends; as to
atone for a mistake.
2
... Multi-Version Concordance
Atone (8 Occurrences). Hebrews
...Atoned (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofAtone. Multi-Version Concordance
Atoned (8 Occurrences). Exodus 29:36 and a bullock, a sin...
One (26466 Occurrences)
... reconciliation of persons at variance. From this adverb we have the words
"atone" and "atonement.". EVIL ONE. (ho poneros): Nearly all...
Respects (13 Occurrences)
... should be made to resemble His brothers, so that He might become a compassionate
and faithful High Priest in things relating to God, in order toatone for the...
Resemble (15 Occurrences)
... should be made to resemble His brothers, so that He might become a compassionate
and faithful High Priest in things relating to God, in order toatone for the...
Relating (9 Occurrences)
... should be made to resemble His brothers, so that He might become a compassionate
and faithful High Priest in things relating to God, in order toatone for the...
Redeem (56 Occurrences)
... 7. (vt) To pay the penalty of; to make amends for; to serve as an equivalent or
offset for; toatone for; to compensate; as, to redeem an error....
Recompense (79 Occurrences)
... remunerate; to compensate. 2. (vt) To return an equivalent for; to give
compensation for; toatone for; to pay for. 3. (vt) To give...
Expiate (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (vt) To make complete satisfaction for; toatone for; to make amends for; to
extinguish the guilt of by sufferance of penalty or some equivalent; to make...
Dispense (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (vt) To apply, as laws to particular cases; to administer; to execute;
to manage; to direct. 3. (vt) To pay for; toatone for....
Resources
If the penalty for our sins is eternity in hell, how did Jesus' death pay our penalty if He did not spend eternity in hell? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are indulgences and plenary indulgences and is the concept biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWitnessing to Muslims - what is the key? | GotQuestions.orgAtone: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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