Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.
1 Corinthians 15:3

Having considered some erroneous views of the atonement, let’s reflect on the biblical and orthodox view of the atonement.

The atonement is all about Christ’s death on our behalf. His death was vicarious, or substitutionary—meaning, He died for His people in our place.

The first Adam’s sin brought death to all of his descendants.

As the second Adam, Jesus, through His perfect active obedience, fulfilled the covenant that the first Adam broke (Romans 5:19). By His active obedience, Jesus fulfilled the covenant on our behalf.

Through His passive obedience, subjecting Himself to death on the cross as the sacrifice His people’s sins, He atoned for our covenant-breaking (2 Corinthians 5:20-21). By His passive obedience, Jesus paid for our guilt.

Here are four words associated with the atonement.

Redemption. Christ purchased us from our slavery to sin by satisfying God’s justice (Mathew 20:28, 1 Timothy 2:6).
Sacrifice. Christ laid down His life to pay for our sins (Hebrews 9:26).
Propitiation. Christ’s sacrifice satisfies the requirement of death for sin and removes the guilt of sinners (1 John 2:2, Romans 3:25).
Reconciliation. Christ reconciles, or brings together, two parties (God and His sinful people) that were previously at odds (Romans 5:10-11, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20).

Why is the atonement necessary and what did it accomplish?

God’s wrath is promised to all men as recompense for sin (Romans 1:18, 6:23).
God took the initiative in providing salvation for His people (2 Corinthians 5:19).
God provided atonement because of His love for His people (John 3:16, Ephesians 2:4-5).
The atonement is a ransom paid to satisfy God’s justice (Matthew 20:28).
(It is not a ransom paid to Satan.)
Christ delivered His people from the power of Satan (Hebrews 2:14, Colossians 2:15).
Christ suffered vicariously (in place of His people) (2 Corinthians 5:21, Isaiah 53).
Christ’s work satisfied God’s justice completely (Romans 3:26).
Christ’s active obedience by keeping the Law perfectly and living sinlessly is an often overlooked, but essential component of the atonement (Philippians 2:8, Romans 5:19, 8:3-4).
Christ’s passive obedience by submitting Himself to death on the cross paid the penalty for all the sins of all His people (1 Corinthians 15:3).

Next time: Christ’s resurrection