Atonement

Atonement theologically speaks of God's acting in human history to reestablish the original relationship between God and man by dealing with sin.  To atone means to make amends, to repair a wrong done.  Biblically, it means to remove guilt of man.  The Old Testament atonements offered by the high priest were temporary and a foreshadow of the real and final atonement made by Jesus.  Jesus atoned for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2).  This atonement is received by faith (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:8-9).

Man is a sinner (Rom. 5:8) and cannot atone for himself.  Therefore, it was the love of the Father that sent Jesus (1 John 4:10) to die in our place (1 Pet. 3:18) for our sins (1 Pet. 2:24).  Because of the atonement, our fellowship with God is restored (Rom. 5:10).  (See Reconciliation.)