Posted on 09/28/2009 4:07:50 AM PDT by The Ignorant Fisherman
Christians know that Jesus has provided our atonement: “for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:23-24). God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood. Jesus’ death surpasses and replaces the atonement ritual of the Jewish Temple. The book of Hebrews explains the ceremonies of the Day of Atonement as a pattern of the atoning work of Christ. Jesus is our high priest, and His blood shed on Calvary is seen as symbolized in the blood of bulls and goats. As the high priest of the Old Testament entered the Holy of Holies with the blood of his sacrificial victim, so Jesus entered heaven itself to appear before the Father on behalf of His people (Heb. 9:11-12) (Killian n.d.).
The Old Testament tabernacle was designed, in part, to teach Israel that sin hindered access to the presence of God. Only the high priest, and he only once a year, could enter the Holy of Holies, and then not without taking blood offered to atone for sins (Heb. 9:7). Hebrews notes that the levitical offerings could effect only the purification of the flesh. They ceremonially cleansed the sinner, but they could not bring about inward cleansing, the prerequisite for fellowship with God. Just as the high priest had to be sinless to enter the Holy of Holies and live, so Yeshua had to be sinless to live after He entered the grave.
(Excerpt) Read more at theignorantfishermen.com ...
>> Jesus’ death surpasses and replaces the atonement ritual ...
What a great deal; show up in church every once in a while, say a few “I’m sorrys” from the prayer book, and all is well. Much, much easier than serious atonement.
Such as?
Like personally apologizing to those you have hurt or stolen from; like making ammends; like asking for forgiveness; like repaying those you’ve stolen from ...
Like personally apologizing to those you have hurt or stolen from; like making ammends; like asking for forgiveness; like repaying those you’ve stolen from ...
That's not atonement. That's restitution. There is a difference.
Ultimately all sin is sin against God and His holy standard. How do you atone for sin against almighty God?
Do not use potty language - or references to potty language - on the Religion Forum.
Atonement as per the OED 1933-1955:
1/ The condition of being at-one with others; concord, agreement. 1623
2/ The action of setting at one, or being at one, after discord; reconciliation. 1685
3/ (specifically in theology) Reconciliation or restoration of friendly relations between God and sinners. 1526
4/Propitiation by reparation of wrong or injury; amends, expiation. 1611
My point here is that it is all too easy for Christians to take the lazy way out. Do you think that’s what God wants - talk instead of action? I don’t think so.
How do you make atonement with God?
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