InstaStudy

The Atonement of Christ: Understanding God's Plan of Reconciliation

This Bible study explores the profound truth that Christ has been made the atonement, examining His divine identity, the nature of His sacrifice, and how believers receive the full benefits of His redemptive work.

1. The Divine Identity of the Atoner

1.1 Jesus is God Manifest in Flesh

Verses: John 1:1; John 1:14; 1 Timothy 3:16
  • The Word, who was God, became flesh and dwelt among us.
  • God Himself was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
  • Jesus is not merely a prophet or a man, but the very essence of God veiled in humanity.

1.2 The One Lord and Savior

Verses: Isaiah 9:6; Colossians 2:9; Isaiah 43:10-11
  • He is called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
  • In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
  • There is no God formed before Him, neither shall there be after Him; He is the only Savior.

1.3 No Other God Besides Him

Verses: Isaiah 44:6; Isaiah 45:21-22; John 10:30
  • The Lord declares Himself to be the first and the last, and beside Him there is no God.
  • There is no God else beside Him, a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside Him.
  • Jesus affirmed His oneness with the Father, stating 'I and my Father are one.'

2. The Sacrifice of the Atoner

2.1 His Sinless Life and Obedience

Verses: Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22; 2 Corinthians 5:21
  • He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
  • He committed no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth.
  • God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

2.2 The Shedding of His Blood

Verses: Hebrews 9:22; Romans 5:9; 1 Peter 1:18-19
  • Without shedding of blood is no remission of sins.
  • We are justified by His blood and saved from wrath through Him.
  • We are redeemed not with corruptible things, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

2.3 His Death and Resurrection

Verses: Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Ephesians 1:7
  • He was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
  • Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day.
  • Through His death and resurrection, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

3. The Purpose and Scope of the Atonement

3.1 Reconciliation with God

Verses: 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Romans 5:10-11; Colossians 1:21-22
  • God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them.
  • We were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
  • Through Christ's sacrifice, we are presented holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight.

3.2 Redemption from Sin

Verses: Ephesians 1:7; Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 1:18-19
  • In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
  • Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.
  • We are redeemed from our vain conversation by the precious blood of Christ.

3.3 Propitiation for Our Sins

Verses: Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2; 1 John 4:10
  • God has set forth Christ to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness.
  • He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
  • Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

3.4 Receiving the Atonement's Benefits

Verses: Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; Luke 24:47
  • Repentance is a command for all, involving a change of mind and heart towards God.
  • It is essential for the remission of sins and the blotting out of transgressions.
  • The message of repentance and remission of sins must be preached in His name among all nations.

3.5 Water Baptism in Jesus' Name

Verses: Acts 2:38; Acts 8:16; Acts 19:5; Colossians 2:12
  • Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ is for the remission of sins, identifying with His death, burial, and resurrection.
  • It is a crucial step of obedience, where believers are buried with Him in baptism.
  • Early believers were consistently baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

3.6 Receiving the Holy Spirit

Verses: Acts 2:38; Acts 2:4; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 19:6
  • The promise of the Holy Spirit is for all who repent and are baptized in Jesus' name.
  • The initial evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit is speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.
  • This experience empowers believers for a life of holiness and service.