The Fulfillment in Christ’s Death and Resurrection
Christ’s atonement achieved what no altar could: reconciliation with God through grace, not merit.
“God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” – 2 Corinthians 5:21
By His death, Jesus bore sin’s penalty; by His resurrection, He guaranteed eternal life. The atonement was not only substitutionary but transformative — it changed the sinner’s standing and nature. The wrath of God was satisfied; the love of God was magnified.
The Ongoing Power of Atonement Today
For the believer, atonement is not an abstract doctrine — it’s a living reality. Those who turn in faith to Christ experience what the ancients could only anticipate: cleansing, forgiveness, and new birth.
“ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9
Today, baptism becomes the believer’s identification with this atonement — buried with Christ, raised to new life (Romans 6:3–4). The Spirit now indwells what was once unclean. To “become a Christian,” then, is to accept this atoning work personally — to trust not in ritual or merit, but in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
Reflection Questions
1. What does it mean that Christ’s atonement was “once for all”?
2. How does understanding the Old Testament sacrifices deepen your appreciation for the cross?
3. Are there modern ways we attempt to “earn” forgiveness instead of receiving it?
4. How does the atonement change our relationship with God and others?
References
• The Holy Bible (NASB): Leviticus 16; Isaiah 1; Hosea 6; John 1; Hebrews 9–10; Romans 6.
• Jack Cottrell, The Faith Once for All (College Press, 2002).
• Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology (Baker Academic, 2013).
• Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology (Zondervan, 1994).
• Walter A. Elwell, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology (Baker, 2001).
• John Piper, Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ (Crossway, 2004).
Written by Dr. Kevin Hall | The Way Bible Blog | Bahamas
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