Lesson Two - Going Deeper Section 1

What does it mean when we say that Christ made atonement for our sins? Look at the following verses and see how they help you understand atonement.

John 3:36
"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."

Romans 3:25
God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—

Hebrews 2:17
For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.

1 John 2:2; 4:10
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

The definition of Atonement is: amends or reparation made for an injury or wrong; expiation.
Guilt is said to be expiated when it is visited with punishment falling on a substitute. Expiation is made for our sins when they are punished not in ourselves but in another who consents to stand in our room. It is that by which reconciliation is effected. Sin is thus said to be "covered" by vicarious satisfaction.