Replies

I have also seen the idea that OT animal sacrifices actually DID atone for sins, but only temporarily. That is why they had to be repeated over and over.

So, it makes sense, based on what we are told in the book of Hebrews, that there must be a sacramental sense in which the blood of the sacrifice atoned for sin.

I think we have to believe that the ancient people understood the sacrifices in this way. Not that the animal itself could do anything, but by faith in the One who is the Redeemer, that real, eternal salvation was made possible.

After all, if Jesus could say to the Jews in His day, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad," why should it be difficult to think that the people in Moses' day (and beyond) were able to look past the animal and the blood and actually see Jesus Christ in the sacrifices?

FK: I have also seen the idea that OT animal sacrifices actually DID atone for sins, but only temporarily. That is why they had to be repeated over and over.

But the NT confidently asserts, “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins” (Heb. 10:4) and “And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins” (Heb. 10:11). So, it makes sense, based on what we are told in the book of Hebrews, that there must be a sacramental sense in which the blood of the sacrifice atoned for sin.

OK that's good, and thanks for the passages from Calvin. I'm trying to nail down the actual mechanics of what's happening here. From your #99:

"The blood of animals atones for the sins of the people insofar as it points forward to the person and work of Jesus Christ. It must be appropriated by faith in order to be effectual. That is, faith in the God who is the Redeemer of Israel."

OK, then would you say that "insofar as ..." also means "in a literal sense not at all"? If it's appropriate, let's relate it to water baptism. Would we say that water baptism saves (atones for) us insofar as it points to Christ on the cross, and that we must have faith for it to be effectual? That doesn't sound right to me. :) I'm trying to understand precisely what "sacramental sense" means.