The Atoning Death of Jesus Christ for Humanity
The atoning death of Jesus Christ is central to Christian theology, understood as the means by which humanity is reconciled to God [3, 10, 11]. This reconciliation, or "at-one-ment," is brought about through Christ's sacrificial death [3]. The concept of atonement was foretold in the Old Testament through prophecies in Isaiah, Daniel, and Zechariah, and prefigured by various Old Testament practices [1, 4].
The death of Christ was appointed by God and deemed necessary for the redemption of humanity [1]. It was a voluntary act on Jesus' part, despite being undeserved [1, 4]. The New Testament emphasizes that Christ's death was a sacrifice acceptable to God, as seen in passages like Matthew 20:28 and Ephesians 5:2 [1]. Adam Clarke, in his commentary on Romans, notes that Christ, being innocent, was "delivered up to death as a sacrifice for our sins" [6]. This sacrifice is the "fountain and foundation of justification," with all spiritual privileges flowing from "the precious stream of Christ's blood" [8].
The atoning death of Jesus serves to reconcile both individuals to God and to reconcile different groups, such as Jews and Gentiles, to each other [10]. Through faith in Christ, individuals are united with him, and his sacrificial death makes this reconciliation possible [11]. The Apostle Paul writes that "we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh" (2 Corinthians 4:11 NASB) [2]. This highlights the ongoing impact of Christ's death on believers' lives.
The suffering of Christ is presented not only as an example for believers but also as the means by which salvation is achieved [7]. Adam Clarke explains that Christ's suffering was necessary for him to die and make atonement for sin, thus qualifying him to be the "Captain or Author of the salvation of men" [9]. His resurrection further provides assurance that his death accomplished its purpose of reconciliation and grants believers a "title to that eternal life" [6]. The human nature of Christ was essential for his mediatorial office, enabling him to partake in flesh and blood and experience human suffering, ultimately leading to his atoning death [5].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Death of Christ, The — Foretold -- Isa 53:8; Da 9:26; Zec 13:7. Appointed by God -- Isa 53:6,10; Ac 2:23. Necessary for the redemption of man -- Lu 24:46; Ac 17:3. Acceptable, as a sacrifice to God -- Mt 20:28; Eph 5:2; 1Th 5:10. Was voluntary -- Isa 53:12; Mt 26:53; Joh 10:17,18. Was undeserved -- Isa 53:9. Mode of Foretold by Christ. -- Mt 20:18,19; Joh 12:32,33. Prefigured. -- Nu 21:8; Joh 3:14. Ignominious. -- Heb 12:2. Accursed. -- Ga 3:13. Exhibited His humility. -- Php 2:8. A stumbling block to Jews. -- 1Co 1:23. Foolishness to Gentiles. -- 1Co 1:18,23. Demand”
- 2 Corinthians “2 Corinthians 4:11 (NASB) — For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.”
- 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”
- 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; ”
- 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. ”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 4:25: Who was delivered for our offenses - Who was delivered up to death as a sacrifice for our sins; for in what other way, or for what other purpose could He, who is innocence itself, be delivered for our offenses? And was raised again for our justification - He was raised that we might have the fullest assurance that the death of Christ had accomplished the end for which it took place; viz. our reconciliation to God, and giving us a title to that eternal life, into which he has entered, and taken with him our human nature, as the first-fruits of the resurrection of man”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 3:18: Confirmation of Pe1 3:17, by the glorious results of Christ's suffering innocently. For--"Because." That is "better," Pe1 3:17, means of which we are rendered more like to Christ in death and in life; for His death brought the best issue to Himself and to us [BENGEL]. Christ--the Anointed Holy One of God; the Holy suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust. also--as well as yourselves (Pe1 3:17). Compare Pe1 2:21; there His suffering was brought forward as an example to us; here, as a proof of the blessedness of suffering for well-doing. once-”
- Romans (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Romans 5:6: The apostle here describes the fountain and foundation of justification, laid in the death of the Lord Jesus. The streams are very sweet, but, if you run them up to the spring-head, you will find it to be Christ's dying for us; it is in the precious stream of Christ's blood that all these privileges come flowing to us: and therefore he enlarges upon this instance of the love of God which is shed abroad. Three things he takes notice of for the explication and illustration of this doctrine: - 1. The persons he died for, Rom 5:6-8. 2. The precious fruits of his death,”
- Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 2:10: For it became him - It was suitable to the Divine wisdom, the requisitions of justice, and the economy of grace, to offer Jesus as a sacrifice, in order to bring many sons and daughters to glory. For whom - and by whom - God is the cause of all things, and he is the object or end of them. Perfect through sufferings - Without suffering he could not have died, and without dying he could not have made an atonement for sin. The sacrifice must be consummated, in order that he might be qualified to be the Captain or Author of the salvation of men, and lead all those who ”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:16: 2:16 Christ’s death on the cross reconciles humans to God, and also Jews and Gentiles to each other.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:13: 2:13 Only by being united with Christ Jesus through trust in him can a person be reconciled to God (see Rom 5:10-12; 2 Cor 5:18-21). The blood of Christ—his sacrificial death—makes this possible (see Eph 1:7; Rom 3:24-25; 5:9; Col 1:20; cp. Heb 9:12-15; 1 Pet 1:19; 1 Jn 1:7; Rev 1:5; 5:9).”