The atonement

A series about critical doctrines you must not deny or change

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God.” (1 Peter 3:18)

Over the past few days

I’ve been discussing doctrinal errors held by the many Progressive Churches around the world who have redefined many church doctrines to reflect their new unbiblical beliefs.

Another dangerous doctrine held by Progressive Christian Churches is that they don’t believe the atonement. They frequently describe Jesus' death on the cross as horrible or pointless. The notion that God the Father would demand his Son's blood sacrifice is seen as a criticism of God's character, transforming Him into a divine abuser.They often refer to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and His shedding of blood to cover our sins as, “Cosmic Child Abuse.” They totally miss the point and fail to understand John 3:16, that says God gave His Son out of love to atone for man’s sin.

But this kind of thought is not new

When Jesus told His disciples He was going to die, Peter flat out rejected the idea to Jesus’ face, but Jesus sternly rebuked him and said Peter’s words were from Satan!

“From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead. But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” (Matt. 16:21-23 NLT)

Jesus came as God’s atonement plan

Jesus said His death was planned by God and no one had the power take His life from Him. He had the power to lay it down and take it up again. 

“For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” (John 10:16-18 ESV) 

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11 ESV)

The great exchange

The verse at top is referred to by many as “the great exchange” because it tells how Christ exchanged our unrighteousness for His righteousness through what He did for us on the cross in order to atone for our sin and bring us to God.

Christ bore our sins in His body

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.” (1 Peter 2:24 ESV)

He shed His blood as atonement

“Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” (Heb. 9:22 ESV)

“For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matt. 26:28 ESV)

“So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.” (Heb. 13:12 ESV)

Therefore

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” (Rom. 5:6-11 ESV)

“And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Eph. 5:2 ESV)