Under the old covenant, sin was forgiven through sacrifice, prefiguring the atoning death of Jesus Christ, which brings forgiveness of sins under the new covenant.
Atonement for sins in the OT was through the shedding of blood
For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for your souls upon the altar; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.
Kinds of sin offering in the OT
The sin offering was for unintentional sins
Leviticus 4:1–5:13 See also Numbers 15:22–31
The guilt offering was for unintentional sins, where restitution was required
Leviticus 5:14–6:7 See also Numbers 5:5–10
The annual Day of Atonement cleansed the nation of sin
Leviticus 16:1–34 See also Exodus 30:11–16; Leviticus 23:26–32; Hebrews 9:7
The priests made atonement on occasions of deliberate national sin
Numbers 16:46–48 Aaron stops the plague after Korah's sin; Numbers 25:13 Phinehas stops the plague after Moab caused Israel to sin.
Sacrifices of atonement needed to be accompanied by repentance and a willingness to obey
Worshippers recognised the need for repentance and obedience
Proverbs 21:3 See also Psalm 40:6–8, Psalm 51:16–17
To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.
The prophets declared the need for obedience
1 Samuel 15:22 See also Isaiah 1:11–17; Jeremiah 7:21–23; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6–8
But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.
The prophets warned of judgment to bring people to repentance
2 Kings 17:13 See also Isaiah 31:6–7; Jeremiah 4:1–4, Jeremiah 35:15; Ezekiel 3:16–19; Jonah 3:4–10
Yet through all His prophets and seers, the LORD warned Israel and Judah, saying, “Turn from your wicked ways and keep My commandments and statutes, according to the entire Law that I commanded your fathers and delivered to you through My servants the prophets.”
The death of Jesus Christ brings forgiveness for sin
Jesus Christ died on behalf of sinful humanity
Romans 5:6 See also Matthew 26:26–28; John 10:11, John 15:13; Galatians 2:20
For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
The early church proclaimed that Christ died for the sins of others
1 Corinthians 15:3 See also Romans 4:25; 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,
Jesus Christ bore sin on the cross
2 Corinthians 5:21 See also Isaiah 53:10–12; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Peter 2:24
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 has redeemed people by taking their place
Matthew 20:28 parallel Mark 10:45 See also Galatians 3:13; 1 Timothy 2:6; Titus 2:14
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus Christ's death is sacrificial
Romans 3:25 See also Romans 8:3; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Ephesians 5:2; Hebrews 7:27, Hebrews 10:5–13; 1 John 2:2, 1 John 4:10
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.
The shedding of Jesus Christ's blood brings forgiveness
1 John 1:7 See also John 1:29; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:12–22, Hebrews 13:12; 1 Peter 1:18–19; Revelation 7:14
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
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.