Expert: Clifford H. Readout, Jr. - 8/31/2008

Question
Hello Bro. Readout,
My question(s) concerning atonement. Does the bible teach that Jesus made atonement for our sins? How does the day of atonement in the old covenant fit in with what Jesus did on Calvary for us? Any insight would be much appreciated.
I have looked at the only reference to the word atonement in Romans 5:11, but am somewhat unsure if it's proper to say Jesus made atonement for our sins, by his death burial and resurrection.
By the way you made a very big impression on me when I was a new convert in 1979. You came to my home church in Des Moines Iowa, Bro. & Sis. Butcher. Your teaching and preaching was done in such a way as to make me realize how important it is to be critically careful in rightly dividing the word of truth. Thank you for that Bro. Readout.
Kind regards, Barry Robinette, Victoria, Australia


Answer
Dear Brother Robinette,

Thank you for your questions, Barry.  And, thank you for reminding me of our visit to Des Moines.  I made Des Moines my home base over a period of three years of my ministry (1976-1978).  Brother Butcher kept me active in the pulpit every month I was there (a total of twelve months out of the thirty-six during those years).  I have many good memories.

What took you to Australia, and what are you doing there? I have had the joy of ministering in Melbourne, Canberra, Perth, Brisbane, and Sidney, on several trips there.

The answer to your question has some interesting components to it.  First, the Hebrew word generally translated “atonement” and the Greek word translated “atonement” do not mean the same thing.

The Greek root word used in Romans 5:11 is used several times in the New Testament, but translated “atonement” only once. It is used in the following verses (I have marked the English word with * asterisks *):

Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being *reconciled*, we shall be saved by his life.
Romans 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the *atonement*.
Romans 11:15 For if the casting away of them be the *reconciling* of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
1Corinthians 7:11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be *reconciled* to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
2Corinthians 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath *reconciled* us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of *reconciliation*;
2Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, *reconciling* the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of *reconciliation*.
2Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye *reconciled* to God.
Ephesians 2:16 And that he might *reconcile* both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to *reconcile* all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
Colossians 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he *reconciled*
Acts 7:26 And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have *set* them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?

The Greek word has the basic meaning of the mending of a broken relationship.

The Hebrew word translated “atonement” means “to cover” and is figuratively used to mean “expiate” and/or “appease”. Its concept is obviously related, but not the same.  However, there are many verses in the New Testament that demonstrate that the same result was accomplished through the death of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Here are only a very few, you can find many others:

Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Romans 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
2Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
1Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1Peter 3:18  For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

I would also like to include a few other verses that specifically touch on the exact wording of your first question;

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
John 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
John 10:17-18 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
1Timothy 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Hebrews 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

I believe these texts answer both of your questions:
1. Does the Bible teach that Jesus made atonement for our sins?

It surely does, since it specifies that He was both the sacrifice that was the ultimate and final covering to remit our sins and the high priest who offered up the sacrifice.

The Bible also teaches that Jesus Christ is also the mercy seat upon which the blood of the atonement was poured:
1John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
1John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Romans 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Hebrews 9:5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.

He is everything that has any relation to our salvation, even our righteousness!
1Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

2. How does the day of atonement in the old covenant fit in with what Jesus did on Calvary for us?

The book of Hebrews seems to have been specifically written with this question in mind!

Jesus Christ was (and is) the High Priest.
Hebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

Jesus Christ was the lamb of God.
John 1:36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

Interestingly, John the Baptist identified Him as the Lamb who would not only be the sacrifice, but also fulfill the role of the “scapegoat” in the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16), when he said He would “take away the sin of the world.”
John 1:29  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Isaiah 53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

It appears that Jesus Christ both did and is everything that relates to the salvation of human beings.  He is also our passover, our Unleavened Bread, and our Firstfruits!  He is our Tabernacle, and even our Pentecost!  He is our all in all!

I hope this helps.

Yours for Truth,

CR