In dying for the sins of the world, Jesus Christ fulfilled and replaced the OT sacrificial system, so that all who believe in him are restored to fellowship with God. Christ is the true high priest, who finally liberates his people from the guilt of sin, by offering himself as the supreme sacrifice.
The atoning purpose of Jesus Christ's death
Jesus Christ's death on behalf of others
John 10:11 See also John 10:14–18; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Hebrews 2:9; 1 John 3:16
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
Jesus Christ's atoning death for sin
1 Corinthians 15:3 See also Romans 4:25, Romans 8:3; Galatians 1:4; 1 Peter 3:18
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
The atoning significance of Jesus Christ's death is expressed by references to his blood
Romans 5:9; Revelation 5:9 See also Ephesians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:18–19; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 7:14
Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him!
And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
Jesus Christ's atoning death is commemorated in the Lord's Supper
1 Corinthians 11:23–25 See also Matthew 26:26–28 parallels Mark 14:22–24, Luke 22:19–20
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
Explanations of the atonement
Jesus Christ's death as an atoning sacrifice
Romans 3:25 See also 1 Corinthians 5:7; Ephesians 5:2; 1 John 4:10; Revelation 5:6
God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice in His blood through faith, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand.
Jesus Christ's atoning death as redemption
Mark 10:45 parallel Matthew 20:28 See also Acts 20:28; Galatians 3:13–14; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:13–14
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
The atonement is effective because of Jesus Christ's sinlessness
2 Corinthians 5:21 See also Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22–24; 1 John 3:5
God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
Jesus Christ's death fulfils and replaces the Day of Atonement
Jesus Christ makes atonement as the new high priest
Jesus Christ is the mediator of the new and better covenant
Jesus Christ has made atonement in the true heavenly sanctuary
Jesus Christ's atoning blood brings effective cleansing
Jesus Christ's single sacrifice replaces the many required under the old covenant
Access to the heavenly sanctuary is now open
By dying with Christ, believers are released from this age into the life of the age to come
Romans 6:1–7 See also Romans 7:4–6; Galatians 2:19–20, Galatians 6:14; Ephesians 2:6–7; Colossians 2:11–13
What then shall we say? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may increase? Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer? Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. For anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
God the Father and the atoning death of his Son
God's sending of his Son to make atonement
1 John 4:14 See also John 3:16; Romans 8:32; 2 Corinthians 5:18; Galatians 4:4–5
And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world.
God's grace displayed in making atonement for the ungodly
Ephesians 2:4–5 See also Romans 5:6–8; Ephesians 2:8–9; Titus 3:4–5
But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!
The worldwide scope of Jesus Christ's atoning death
1 John 2:2 See also John 1:29; 2 Corinthians 5:19; 1 Timothy 2:5
He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
The appropriate response to the atonement
The response of repentance
Acts 3:19 See also Acts 2:38, Acts 17:30, Acts 20:21
Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,
The response of faith
Acts 10:43 See also John 3:14–15; Acts 16:31; Romans 3:22; Galatians 2:16
All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”
The response of baptism
Acts 22:16 See also Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21
And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and wash your sins away, calling on His name.’
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.