The Profound Necessity of Christ's Atonement

 

Summary

The doctrine of the atonement is a profound and essential aspect of Christian theology, emphasizing the substitutionary and penal elements of Christ's sacrifice. This teaching asserts that Jesus Christ vicariously suffered the penalty of the broken law as the substitute for His people. The atonement is not merely a Protestant emphasis but has been a central doctrine since the early church. The Old Testament sacrifices, which were expiatory and substitutionary, point forward to Christ, whose death fulfills and aligns with these ancient practices. The New Testament further supports this by teaching that salvation comes through Christ's death, using terms like ransom, propitiation, and reconciliation to describe His work.

The necessity of Christ's death is underscored by His agony in Gethsemane and His cry of dereliction on the cross. These events highlight the absolute necessity of His sacrifice, which was not merely a martyr's death but a unique and essential act of atonement. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 3:25-26, explains that God's righteousness and justice are upheld through Christ's propitiation, allowing God to be both just and the justifier of those who believe in Jesus. This necessity is further emphasized in Hebrews 2:9 and Romans 8:32, which speak of Christ tasting death for every man and God not sparing His own Son.

The atonement is the only doctrine that adequately addresses the wrath of God, the immutability of divine law, and the guilt of sin. It shows why belief in Christ is essential for salvation, as it is through Him that we are reconciled to God. Objections to this doctrine often stem from an inadequate understanding of God's character, emphasizing His love while neglecting His holiness and justice. The atonement is not about a reluctant God being persuaded to forgive but about God's love initiating and accomplishing salvation through Christ. This profound love is demonstrated in God placing our sins on His Son, who willingly bore the penalty we deserved.

Key Takeaways:

1. The atonement is rooted in the substitutionary and penal elements of Christ's sacrifice, fulfilling the Old Testament sacrificial system and aligning with New Testament teachings. This doctrine emphasizes that Jesus Christ suffered the penalty of the broken law as our substitute, highlighting the necessity of His death for our salvation. [01:12]

2. The agony of Christ in Gethsemane and His cry of dereliction on the cross underscore the absolute necessity of His sacrifice. These events reveal the unique nature of His atonement, which goes beyond mere physical suffering to address the spiritual separation from God that sin causes. [08:33]

3. The Apostle Paul explains that God's righteousness and justice are upheld through Christ's propitiation, allowing God to be both just and the justifier of those who believe in Jesus. This underscores the necessity of the atonement as the only means by which God can forgive sin while remaining true to His character. [12:00]

4. The atonement addresses the wrath of God, the immutability of divine law, and the guilt of sin, showing why belief in Christ is essential for salvation. It is through Christ's active and passive obedience that we are reconciled to God, highlighting the necessity of His sacrifice for our redemption. [18:42]

5. Objections to the substitutionary and penal view of the atonement often stem from an inadequate understanding of God's character. The atonement is not about a reluctant God being persuaded to forgive but about God's love initiating and accomplishing salvation through Christ, demonstrating the profound love of God in placing our sins on His Son. [29:21]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Atonement Doctrine
- [00:26] - Protestant Emphasis on Atonement
- [00:59] - Substitutionary Teaching Explained
- [01:12] - Old Testament Sacrifices and Christ
- [02:15] - New Testament Teachings on Atonement
- [03:21] - Union with Christ and Atonement
- [04:30] - The Necessity of Christ's Death
- [05:19] - Gethsemane and the Necessity of Atonement
- [08:33] - Cry of Dereliction on the Cross
- [10:14] - Romans 3:25-26 and God's Righteousness
- [12:00] - Just and Justifier: The Necessity of Atonement
- [15:16] - Hebrews 2:9 and Tasting Death
- [18:42] - The Wrath of God and Divine Law
- [21:38] - Objections to Substitutionary Atonement
- [29:21] - God's Love and the Atonement
- [36:56] - Conclusion and Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 3:25-26
2. Hebrews 2:9
3. Romans 8:32

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#### Observation Questions
1. What does Romans 3:25-26 say about God's righteousness and justice in relation to the atonement? How does this passage describe the role of Christ's sacrifice? [10:14]
2. In Hebrews 2:9, what is the significance of Jesus "tasting death for every man"? How does this relate to the necessity of the atonement? [15:16]
3. According to Romans 8:32, what does it mean that God "spared not his own Son"? How does this verse emphasize the necessity of Christ's sacrifice? [16:46]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of substitutionary atonement in Romans 3:25-26 help us understand the balance between God's justice and mercy? [12:00]
2. What does the agony of Christ in Gethsemane and His cry of dereliction on the cross reveal about the nature of His atonement? How does this deepen our understanding of His sacrifice? [08:33]
3. How does the sermon explain the necessity of Christ's death as the only means by which God can forgive sin while remaining true to His character? [13:47]
4. In what ways does the sermon address common objections to the substitutionary and penal view of the atonement? How does it clarify misconceptions about God's character? [21:38]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the idea that Christ's atonement was an absolute necessity. How does this understanding impact your view of God's love and justice? [18:25]
2. The sermon emphasizes that the atonement is not about a reluctant God being persuaded to forgive. How does this change your perception of God's character and His plan for salvation? [29:21]
3. Consider the statement that belief in Christ is essential for salvation. How does this influence your approach to sharing your faith with others? [20:34]
4. How can the understanding of Christ's active and passive obedience in the atonement encourage you in your personal walk with God? [35:59]
5. The sermon discusses the importance of recognizing both God's love and holiness. How can you ensure that your understanding of God is balanced and biblically accurate? [28:12]
6. Reflect on a time when you struggled with understanding God's justice and mercy. How does the doctrine of the atonement provide clarity and assurance in such moments? [12:29]
7. How can you apply the lessons from this sermon to address any misconceptions you might have about God's character or the nature of salvation? [23:44]

Devotional

Day 1: The Fulfillment of the Old Testament Sacrifices
The atonement is deeply rooted in the substitutionary and penal elements of Christ's sacrifice, fulfilling the Old Testament sacrificial system and aligning with New Testament teachings. This doctrine emphasizes that Jesus Christ suffered the penalty of the broken law as our substitute, highlighting the necessity of His death for our salvation. The Old Testament sacrifices were expiatory and substitutionary, pointing forward to Christ, whose death fulfills and aligns with these ancient practices. The New Testament further supports this by teaching that salvation comes through Christ's death, using terms like ransom, propitiation, and reconciliation to describe His work. This connection between the Old and New Testaments underscores the continuity of God's plan for redemption through Christ. [01:12]

Leviticus 17:11 (ESV): "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life."

Reflection: How does understanding the connection between Old Testament sacrifices and Christ's atonement deepen your appreciation for His sacrifice?


Day 2: The Necessity of Christ's Agony and Sacrifice
The agony of Christ in Gethsemane and His cry of dereliction on the cross underscore the absolute necessity of His sacrifice. These events reveal the unique nature of His atonement, which goes beyond mere physical suffering to address the spiritual separation from God that sin causes. Christ's suffering was not just a martyr's death but a profound act of atonement that was essential for reconciling humanity with God. His agony in Gethsemane and His cry on the cross highlight the depth of His sacrifice and the weight of sin that He bore on our behalf. This necessity is further emphasized in the New Testament, which speaks of Christ tasting death for every man and God not sparing His own Son. [08:33]

Hebrews 5:7-8 (ESV): "In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered."

Reflection: In what ways can you reflect on Christ's agony and sacrifice to deepen your understanding of His love for you today?


Day 3: God's Righteousness and Justice Through Propitiation
The Apostle Paul explains that God's righteousness and justice are upheld through Christ's propitiation, allowing God to be both just and the justifier of those who believe in Jesus. This underscores the necessity of the atonement as the only means by which God can forgive sin while remaining true to His character. The atonement addresses the wrath of God, the immutability of divine law, and the guilt of sin, showing why belief in Christ is essential for salvation. It is through Christ's active and passive obedience that we are reconciled to God, highlighting the necessity of His sacrifice for our redemption. [12:00]

Romans 5:9-10 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: How does understanding God's justice and righteousness through Christ's propitiation impact your view of salvation?


Day 4: The Wrath of God and the Necessity of Belief in Christ
The atonement addresses the wrath of God, the immutability of divine law, and the guilt of sin, showing why belief in Christ is essential for salvation. It is through Christ's active and passive obedience that we are reconciled to God, highlighting the necessity of His sacrifice for our redemption. The doctrine of the atonement emphasizes that Jesus Christ suffered the penalty of the broken law as our substitute, underscoring the necessity of His death for our salvation. This necessity is further emphasized in the New Testament, which speaks of Christ tasting death for every man and God not sparing His own Son. [18:42]

Colossians 1:21-22 (ESV): "And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your belief in Christ and embrace the reconciliation He offers?


Day 5: God's Love Initiating Salvation Through Christ
Objections to the substitutionary and penal view of the atonement often stem from an inadequate understanding of God's character. The atonement is not about a reluctant God being persuaded to forgive but about God's love initiating and accomplishing salvation through Christ, demonstrating the profound love of God in placing our sins on His Son. This profound love is demonstrated in God placing our sins on His Son, who willingly bore the penalty we deserved. The atonement is the only doctrine that adequately addresses the wrath of God, the immutability of divine law, and the guilt of sin. [29:21]

1 John 4:9-10 (ESV): "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

Reflection: How can you actively demonstrate God's initiating love in your relationships and interactions today?

Quotes

"The doctrine which emphasizes the substitutionary and the penal elements in the atonement we summarized it like this: we described it as the doctrine which teaches that the Lord Jesus Christ vicariously suffered the penalty of the broken law as the substitute of his people." [00:56:48]

"The New Testament teaches that our Lord saves Us by his death. We had notable statements of that as we read that fifth chapter of the epistle to the Romans just now. I need stay with that then the third argument was certain New Testament terms such as Ransom, propitiation, reconciliation." [00:39:04]

"The Bible teaches that the death of Our Lord upon the cross was an absolute necessity. Now then I would subdivide the statements in this way: first of all, there are certain statements which are made about our Lord's own conduct and certain things which he said which prove it seems to me quite conclusively and finally that his death was an absolute necessity." [00:49:03]

"Why did our Lord endure that Agony? Why did he sweat those great drops of blood? What is the meaning of it? How can we really explain that if it was a Marty's death? It's obviously a totally inadequate explanation. The martyrs haven't behaved like that face to face with death." [00:55:20]

"The Apostle Paul explains that God's righteousness and justice are upheld through Christ's propitiation, allowing God to be both just and the justifier of those who believe in Jesus. This underscores the necessity of the atonement as the only means by which God can forgive sin while remaining true to His character." [00:58:12]

"God is just and yet forgives sins because he has punished sin as a just God must. He's done so in the person of his only begotten son, so he remains righteous, he remains just. He has done to sin what he said he would do to sin, and yet because he's done it in the substitute, he can forgive us." [01:03:39]

"The atonement addresses the wrath of God, the immutability of divine law, and the guilt of sin, showing why belief in Christ is essential for salvation. It is through Christ's active and passive obedience that we are reconciled to God, highlighting the necessity of His sacrifice for our redemption." [01:13:36]

"Objections to the substitutionary and penal view of the atonement often stem from an inadequate understanding of God's character. The atonement is not about a reluctant God being persuaded to forgive but about God's love initiating and accomplishing salvation through Christ, demonstrating the profound love of God in placing our sins on His Son." [01:18:20]

"It is God himself who has done all this. Why did the sun ever come on Earth? Why did the sun die? And the answer is God so loved the world. It was the love of God that thought out this way of Salvation. It was the love of God that carried it out." [01:27:52]

"Is there anything greater than this, that God should take your sins and mine and put them on his own son and punish his own son, not sparing him anything, causing him to suffer all that, that you and I might be forgiven? Can you tell me of any greater exhibition of the love of God than that?" [01:34:51]

"The moral influence Theory and all these other theories which claim that they put themselves forward because they believe in the love of God are failing to comprehend the love of God. It is there you see the love of God when his own son suffers as our substitute the penalty of the law that you and I have incurred and so richly deserve." [01:40:32]

"Before he can reconcile us to God, both those things have got to be done. He deals with the guilt as we've seen upon the cross. He was there passive. He offered himself, he presented himself, his body, his life, and God put our sins upon him. He was passive. God was doing it. It was God's action." [01:47:44]

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Transcript
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