Atonement

Rom 5:6-11

Introduction

1.       Athanasius in the 4^th century and Anselm in the 11^th century made popular the idea that Jesus paid for our sins with his death on the cross

2.       That position confuses atonement with forgiveness:  atonement is not forgiveness, never was, never will be

3.       Atonement is about God wanting to forgive sinners  

Discussion

1.       Atonement in the Old Testament

a.       Atonement involved a sacrifice that is offered in order to receive forgiveness  

b.       For some sins there was no atonement – idolatry, blasphemy, Sabbath-breaking, disobedience to parents, murder, adultery, kidnapping and lying under oath in order to convict a person of a capital crime  

c.       Numerous references speak of atonement that leads to forgiveness – Lev 4:20 , 26, 31, 35; 5:10 , 13, 16: 6:7  

d.       The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) – Lev 16

                                                            i.      The goat that was killed

                                                           ii.      The goat that (figuratively) carried away the sins of the people  

2.       Atonement in the New Testament

a.       Acts 2, the day of Pentecost

                                                            i.      Peter proclaims that the death of Jesus is all a part of God’s “predetermined plan and foreknowledge”

                                                           ii.      Their question:  “What shall we do?” perhaps is suggestive of their understanding that some sacrifice was required on their part in order to be forgiven  

b.       Jesus’ death is the atoning sacrifice for all sins – 1 John 2:2; 1 Tim 1:13 -15 (note that he includes “blasphemer” among those sins for which he has received mercy)  

c.       Luke 7:40-43 – atonement is not forgiveness, but is a preliminary necessary for forgiveness – note verses 44-48  

3.       Atonement in our lives

a.       God’s requirement that we forgive others “as He has forgiven us” – Matt 6:12 and 14-15  

b.       The place of atonement in our forgiveness of others and in seeking forgiveness from others  

c.       The concept of payment being made for sins leads to the idea that people who have offended us need to pay for their sins against us  

d.       Most religions have come up with some system that requires payment for sins – God’s system does not – forgiveness cannot be purchased!  

Conclusion

1.       Jesus has not “paid” for our sins, but by his sacrifice he has made forgiveness available for all of our sins against God

2.       Forgiveness is not about what one deserves, but expresses the heart of the one who has been offended

3.       Jesus’ death sits like a winning lottery ticket, just waiting to be claimed by those who need God’s forgiveness

4.       Peter’s answer is still the right answer to the question, “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37-38)