How does atonement restore our relationship with God?

I. Definition and Purpose of Atonement

Atonement refers to the process by which humanity is reconciled to God, bridging the gap caused by sin’s effects. It answers our deepest spiritual need: the restoration of fellowship with our Creator. According to the Berean Standard Bible, the universal human condition of sin is described in passages such as: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Consequently, sin separates individuals from a holy God, and only a suitable substitute can bring about the covering or removing of guilt. Atonement is the biblical solution to this need.

II. Old Testament Foundations

1. Sacrificial System and Blood

Central to the Old Testament foundation of atonement is the sacrificial system. Leviticus 17:11 teaches, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for your souls.” Shedding of blood symbolized the seriousness of sin and the need for life to cover transgression.

2. Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)

Leviticus 16 outlines the annual Day of Atonement, when the high priest offered sacrifices on behalf of the entire nation of Israel. One goat was sacrificed to atone for sin, and another (“the scapegoat”) had the sins of the people symbolically placed on its head before it was driven into the wilderness (Leviticus 16:21–22). This ritual foreshadowed the ultimate work of atonement to come.

3. Foreshadowing Christ’s Sacrifice

Isaiah 53, especially verse 5—“He was pierced for our transgressions… the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him”—reveals prophetic imagery of a suffering Messiah who would bear iniquities. These Old Testament shadows set the stage for the fulfillment of atonement in the New Testament.

III. Fulfillment in Christ

1. The Lamb of God

John the Baptist declared Jesus to be “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). By using the imagery of the sacrificial lamb, the New Testament directly connects Jesus’s death to Old Testament sacrifices. This indicates that Jesus’s atonement is the decisive and ultimate sacrifice.

2. Satisfaction of Divine Justice

God’s holiness and justice demand that sin be punished (Romans 1:18). Jesus’s death fulfills divine justice by taking this penalty upon Himself. As 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” Through Christ’s substitution, the legal demands of justice are satisfied, allowing believers to stand righteous before God.

3. Shedding of Blood for Remission of Sins

The Letter to the Hebrews connects the Old and New Covenant practices: “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22). Jesus, however, offered Himself “once for all” (Hebrews 9:12), completing what the repeated sacrifices of the Old Testament could only point toward but never finalize.

IV. The Mechanism of Atonement

1. Substitutionary Sacrifice

Atonement rests on the principle of substitution—Jesus died the death humanity deserves. Romans 6:23 states, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Jesus took that wage onto Himself, offering eternal life in place of deserved judgment.

2. Propitiation and Expiation

In biblical language, “propitiation” (1 John 2:2) refers to God’s righteous wrath against sin being satisfied, while “expiation” refers to sin being removed or covered. Together, these ideas convey that Christ’s work addresses both the offense against a holy God and the removal of guilt from the sinner.

3. Imputation of Righteousness

By faith, Christ’s righteousness is credited to those who believe (Romans 4:5). This imputed righteousness means that believers are declared righteous even though they continued to struggle with sin. The atonement thus not only cancels sin’s penalty but also bestows a positive status of righteousness before God.

V. Restoration of Relationship

1. Reconciliation with God

Atonement leads to reconciliation. As 2 Corinthians 5:19 explains, “God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them.” Through the cross, the relational divide is bridged, restoring fellowship between God and humanity.

2. Access to God’s Presence

The barrier that once separated humankind from God’s holiness is removed by Jesus’s sacrifice. At the moment of Jesus’s death, “the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51), symbolizing that believers now have direct access to the Father.

3. Peace with God and New Life

Romans 5:1 proclaims, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This peace is more than just the absence of conflict; it is a restored relationship and position in God’s kingdom. The atonement thus refocuses the believer’s entire life purpose toward glorifying God.

VI. Evidences and Historical Support

1. Biblical Manuscript Reliability

Archaeological discoveries, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, confirm that biblical texts have remained consistent over centuries. These findings lend weight to the authenticity of passages that describe and define atonement.

2. Archaeological Support of Old Testament Practices

Excavations in ancient Israel have uncovered evidence of temple rituals, supporting the sacrificial systems and ceremonies described in books like Leviticus. Such data affirms the historical reality of Old Testament worship that foreshadows the ultimate atonement in Christ.

3. New Testament Accounts of the Crucifixion

Early non-Christian historians, including Tacitus and Josephus, mention Christ’s crucifixion. These accounts align with the biblical portrayal of Jesus’s death, cementing that the event was both historical and foundational to the New Testament emphasis on atonement.

VII. Practical Implications

1. Responding in Faith

Because atonement is a gift from God, the only requirement for individuals is faith: entrusting one’s life to the finished work of Christ (Ephesians 2:8–9). This faith brings about a radical internal transformation, as believers experience forgiveness and reconciliation.

2. Living in Gratitude and Holiness

Recognizing the immense price paid by Christ motivates a life of thanksgiving and obedience. While believers do not earn salvation through works, they are “created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10). Atonement, thus, propels a life of love for God and others.

3. Joining God’s Redemptive Mission

Believers are also called to share the message of atonement with others. According to 2 Corinthians 5:20, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors.” The restoration of relationship with God naturally leads to sharing this good news that reconciliation is available to all.

VIII. Conclusion

Atonement restores humanity’s relationship with God by removing the penalty of sin and granting the righteousness required to stand in His holy presence. Rooted in Old Testament sacrificial imagery, consummated in Christ’s substitutionary death and resurrection, and evidenced by reliable manuscripts and historical confirmation, atonement is the central means of reuniting fallen humanity with a loving Creator.

This restored relationship profoundly influences how individuals view themselves, their purpose, and their hope. Where sin created a chasm, atonement bridges it. Where guilt destroyed fellowship, atonement rebuilds it. Through the atonement, believers confidently draw near to God and joyfully live in peace under His gracious rule.