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Christ's Atoning Work and Human Responsibility in Theology

Atonement denotes reconciliation—the state of being "at one" with God—and refers both to the effect of Christ's death and to that death itself as the means of reconciliation [4]. The term appears frequently in the Old Testament sacrificial system, where the high priest made atonement for the sanctuary, the altar, the priests, and the people [7]. In the New Testament, "reconciliation" largely replaces "atonement" (Romans 5:11 in the Revised Version), but the underlying reality remains: God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself [9, 10].

The Biblical Foundation

The atonement was foreordained before the foundation of the world and foretold in passages such as Isaiah 53, Daniel 9:24–27, and Zechariah 13:1, 7 [5]. It was effected by Christ alone, who as the Lamb of God took away the sin of the world [5]. His human nature was necessary to his mediatorial office, for a mediator between God and humanity required full participation in both natures [3]. The incarnation—his conception, birth, partaking of flesh and blood, and possession of a human soul—qualified him to represent humanity before God [3]. His atoning work was voluntary: he laid down his life of his own accord, fulfilling the will of the Father [5].

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown interpret "God was in Christ, reconciling" to mean that God was by Christ reconciling the world, in virtue of Christ's intervention [11]. This reconciliation was being carried into effect when "God made Jesus, who knew no sin, to be sin for us" [11]. The phrase may also imply God's continuous purpose from before the foundation of the world to reconcile fallen humanity to himself [11]. The atonement thus exhibits both the grace and mercy of God and the love of Christ, who gave himself as a ransom [5].

Human Responsibility in Appropriation

Though the atonement was accomplished by Christ alone, its benefits must be appropriated. God has entrusted to his servants "the message and ministry of reconciliation," and sharing this message is the responsibility of all believers [9]. Christ's ambassadors call people to accept what God has done so they can be made right with God through Christ [9]. Adam Clarke emphasizes that the ministry of reconciliation holds out the doctrine that God was in Christ and uses this doctrine to bring about reconciliation itself [10]. The proclamation is not merely informational; it is instrumental in the reconciling work.

Personal holiness, the fruit of reconciliation, is a work of gradual development carried on under many hindrances [1]. Sanctification involves more than moral reformation; it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature under the influence of the new principles implanted in regeneration [2]. This process extends to the whole person and is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption [2]. Believers are exhorted to watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance as sanctification progresses [1]. Matthew Henry describes the work of a Christian as twofold: doing the will of God and suffering his pleasure [12]. Duties include the mortification of sin, living to God, sobriety, prayer, charity, hospitality, and the best improvement of talents [12].

Christ's Mediatorial Kingship

Christ's mediatorial office comprehends three functions—prophet, priest, and king—which are not distinct offices but aspects of one mediatorial work [6]. As king, Christ is sovereign head over his church and over all things for his church [6]. He executes this kingship in his church, over his church, and over all things in behalf of his church [6]. This royalty is inseparable from his atoning work: he who reconciles also reigns, and he who reigns will judge the living and the dead at his appearing [8]. When people are united with Christ Jesus, God makes them righteous, holy, and free—an expression of God's wisdom [13]. The atonement reconciles the justice and mercy of God, satisfying divine righteousness while extending divine love [5].

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Holiness — In the highest sense belongs to God (Isa. 6:3; Rev. 15:4), and to Christians as consecrated to God's service, and in so far as they are conformed in all things to the will of God (Rom. 6:19, 22; Eph. 1:4; Titus 1:8; 1 Pet. 1:15). Personal holiness is a work of gradual development. It is carried on under many hindrances, hence the frequent admonitions to watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance (1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 4:23, 24). (See [280]SANCTIFICATION.)”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sanctification — Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:1”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Human Nature of Christ, The — Was necessary to his mediatorial office -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 2:17; Ga 4:4,5; 1Co 15:21; Ro 6:15,19. Is proved by his Conception in the Virgin's womb. -- Mt 1:18; Lu 1:31. Birth. -- Mt 1:16,25; 2:2; Lu 2:7,11. Partaking of flesh and blood. -- Joh 1:14; Heb 2:14. Having a human soul. -- Mt 26:38; Lu 23:46; Ac 2:31. Circumcision. -- Lu 2:21. Increase in wisdom and stature. -- Lu 2:52. Weeping. -- Lu 19:41; Joh 11:35. Hungering. -- Mt 4:2; 21:18. Thirsting. -- Joh 4:7; 19:28. Sleeping. -- Mt 8:24; Mr 4:38. Being subject to weariness. -- Joh 4:6. ”
  4. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Atonement — This word does not occur in the Authorized Version of the New Testament except in Rom. 5:11, where in the Revised Version the word "reconciliation" is used. In the Old Testament it is of frequent occurrence. The meaning of the word is simply at-one-ment, i.e., the state of being at one or being reconciled, so that atonement is reconciliation. Thus it is used to denote the effect which flows from the death of Christ. But the word is also used to denote that by which this reconciliation is brought about, viz., the death of Christ itself; and when so used it”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Atonement, The — Explained -- Ro 5:8-11; 2Co 5:18,19; Ga 1:4; 1Jo 2:2; 4:10. Foreordained -- Ro 3:25; 1Pe 1:11,20; Re 13:8. Foretold -- Isa 53:4-6,8-12; Da 9:24-27; Zec 13:1,7; Joh 11:50,51. Effected by Christ alone -- Joh 1:29,36; Ac 4:10,12; 1Th 1:10; 1Ti 2:5,6; Heb 2:9; 1Pe 2:24. Was voluntary -- Ps 40:6-8; Heb 10:5-9; Joh 10:11,15,17,18. Exhibits the Grace and mercy of God. -- Ro 8:32; Eph 2:4,5,7; 1Ti 2:4; Heb 2:9. Love of God. -- Ro 5:8; 1Jo 4:9,10. Love of Christ. -- Joh 15:13; Ga 2:20; Eph 5:2,25; Re 1:5. Reconciles the justice and mercy of God -- Isa 45:21; ”
  6. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Kingly office of Christ — One of the three special relations in which Christ stands to his people. Christ's office as mediator comprehends three different functions, viz., those of a prophet, priest, and king. These are not three distinct offices, but three functions of the one office of mediator. Christ is King and sovereign Head over his Church and over all things to his Church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; Col. 1:18; 2:19). He executes this mediatorial kingship in his Church, and over his Church, and over all things in behalf of his Church. This royalty differs from that whic”
  7. Leviticus “Then he shall make atonement for the Holy Sanctuary; and he shall make atonement for the Tent of Meeting and for the altar; and he shall make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly. -- Leviticus 16:33”
  8. II Timothy “II Timothy 4:1 (ASV) — I chargetheein the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:”
  9. 2 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Corinthians 5:18: 5:18-21 God entrusts to his servants the message and ministry of reconciliation through Christ. • God has given us this task of reconciling people: Paul is speaking of his own ministry, but sharing this wonderful message is the responsibility of all believers. Christ’s ambassadors call people to accept what God has done so they can be made right with God through Christ. • Christ paid the penalty for people’s sins—to take away all that stood between God and humans and to make us right with God.”
  10. 2 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Corinthians 5:19: That God was in Christ - This is the doctrine which this ministry of reconciliation holds out, and the doctrine which it uses to bring about the reconciliation itself. God was in Christ: 1. Christ is the same as Messiah, the Anointed One, who was to be prophet, priest, and king, to the human race; not to the Jews only, but also to the Gentiles. There had been prophets, priests, and kings, among the Jews and their ancestors; and some who had been priest and prophet, king and priest, and king and prophet; but none have ever sustained in his own person the three”
  11. 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 5:19: God was in Christ, reconciling--that is, God was BY Christ (in virtue of Christ's intervention) reconciling," &c. Was reconciling" implies the time when the act of reconciliation was being carried into effect (Co2 5:21), namely, when "God made Jesus, who knew no sin, to be sin for us." The compound of "was" and the participle "reconciling," instead of the imperfect (Greek), may also imply the continuous purpose of God, from before the foundation of the world, to reconcile man to Himself, whose fall was foreseen. The expression " IN Christ" for "”
  12. 1 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Peter 4 (introduction): The work of a Christian is twofold - doing the will of God and suffering his pleasure. This chapter directs us in both. The duties we are here exhorted to employ ourselves in are the mortification of sin, living to God, sobriety, prayer, charity, hospitality, and the best improvement of our talents, which the apostle presses upon Christians from the consideration of the time they have lost in their sins, and the approaching end of all things (Pe1 4:1-11). The directions for sufferings are that we should not be surprised at them, but rejoice in them, o”
  13. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 1:30: 1:30 When people are united . . . with Christ Jesus, God makes them righteous, holy, and free (see 6:11; Rom 3:21-26; 5:17-21). This work of Christ is an expression of God’s wisdom.”
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