Reconciliation- the restoring of a relationship
You must first acknowledge that there has been a separation.
The record of our sin is a huge wall that separates us from God.
To restore our relationship, God gave us a second Adam, which is talking about Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 15:45-49)
Imputation- Christ's righteousness is credited to us, if we accept His sacrifice for our sins.
One central thought to atonement- Jesus is the only way.
Reconciliation is two-fold
1. Damage of the past must be dealt with.
2. Adjustments for the future must be made.
What God has done for us is also two-fold
1. Our relationship with God is salvaged by Jesus taking the punishment.
2. He allows is to continue by allowing Christ to dwell in us.
Atonement is incomplete without Easter.
We are reconciled through His death, but we are saved through His life.
Reconciliation is not complete unless we have been changed. (II Corinthians 5:17)
Reconciliation extends not only to your relationship with God, but to your relationship with others. (Matthew 5:22)

Atonement is not just a matter of God forgiving sin, or removing sin, but of removing the barrier that sin has caused.

Adam and Eve realized that in order to be in God's presence, there had to be a covering.
As well as a covering, atonement can be looked at as a protection.

The sacrifice for sins (Old and New Testament) protects those who believe from the judgment of God.
Jesus not only became our high priest, but He also became the sacrifice.
He had to be sinless.
He had to be divine
He had to be human.

Aspects of Atonement
1. Justification (Romans 4:4-8)
Jesus takes the punishment, so that you can go free.

2. Redemption (I Corinthians 6:20; Titus 2:14)
We've sold ourselves to sin.
​God offers to buy us back.

3. Ransom (I Timothy 2:5-6)
We have been held captive by the hold sin has on us.
Jesus was willing to pay whatever ransom was necessary.
That price was His very life.

“What Abraham was asked to do, He's done. He's
offered His only Son.”

Atonement= being made at-one with God.

Expiation- refers to the offense (sin)
Propitiation- refers to the offended (God)

Expiation covers the sin.
Propitiation appeases the wrath of God toward that sin.

“Ilasterion” - same word as the Old Testament word for mercy seat.
Hebrews 9:22-28 compares temple sacrifices to the work of Christ.


The wrath of God
1. God's wrath always stems from His righteousness. (Romans 3:5)

2. God's wrath is never separated from His mercy and compassion. (Romans 5:9-10)

3. God's wrath demands a response. (Hebrews 10:26-31)

4. God's wrath is directed at Satan and those who are aligned with him. (Revelation 12:10-11)

​The sacrifice was made by the only One who could.
​He is the just and the justifier.