Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  6000 Sin and salvation  »  6600 Aspects of salvation  »  6614 atonement  »  6615 atonement, necessity and nature of

Scripture stresses the seriousness and reality of human sin, and that human beings are unable to atone for their own sins. In his grace, God provides a means by which the situation can be remedied.

Atonement is necessary because of human sinfulness

Atonement is necessary because sin cuts people off from God

Isaiah 59:2 See also Isaiah 64:7; Ezekiel 39:23; Habakkuk 1:13; John 9:31

Atonement is necessary because sin provokes God's wrath

Ephesians 2:1-3 See also Genesis 6:5-7; Exodus 32:30-35; Romans 1:18-20; Romans 2:8

God's gracious nature is the basis for atonement

Atonement is grounded in God's reluctance to punish sinners

Ezekiel 18:32 See also Ezekiel 33:11; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; 2 Peter 3:9

Atonement is grounded in God's readiness to forgive sin

Exodus 34:6-7 The punishment of subsequent generations makes God's abhorrence of sin quite clear, but the extension of his love and forgiveness “to thousands” puts the emphasis in these verses on God's grace and compassion. See also Psalm 145:8; Daniel 9:9; Jonah 4:2

Atonement is grounded in God's covenant love

Numbers 14:19 The Hebrew word for “great love” means God's loving faithfulness to those within the covenant. See also Psalm 25:6-7; Psalm 103:8-12; Joel 2:13

God's provision of atonement is a means of dealing with sin

Atonement through sacrifice

Leviticus 9:7 See also Exodus 30:10; Numbers 15:22-26

God's promised new covenant of forgiveness was fulfilled in Jesus Christ's atoning death

Hebrews 10:16-17 See also Jeremiah 31:33-34; Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 12:24

Images used to portray the at-one-ment, or restored relationship, between God and humanity

Atonement as forgiveness of sins

Ephesians 1:7-8 See also Leviticus 19:22; Acts 13:38; Colossians 2:13-14

Atonement as cleansing and purification

Leviticus 16:30 See also Isaiah 6:6-7; Titus 2:14; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 7:14

Atonement as reconciliation

2 Corinthians 5:19 See also Romans 5:9-11; Ephesians 2:14-16

Atonement as healing

1 Peter 2:24 See also 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 103:2-3; Isaiah 53:5

Atonement as God buying people back for himself

Revelation 5:9 See also Matthew 20:28 pp Mark 10:45; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 1:18-19

Atonement as making holy: creating a relationship of consecrated nearness to God

Hebrews 10:10 See also Colossians 1:22; Hebrews 13:12

See also

1055  God, grace & mercy
6025  sin & God's character
6510  salvation
6653  forgiveness, divine
6717  reconciliation, world to God
6720  redemption
7314  blood
8266  holiness