Romans 5:11 (KJV): “And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.”
Looking at “atonement” before and after the cross: “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” So why aren’t more professing, freedom? both in action (covert) and more often in their words (overtly): are they apart from knowledge???
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Hosea 4:6 Although written by, of and to the Israelites under the law, this still applies and affects us (Ro 15:4) in this: law then, grace now. That “the dispensation of the grace of God” (Eph 3:20); now applies to us in that: “My people” made that way by believing the gospel, the gospel presented by Paul, writing: “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; (Ro 2:16). With then “my people” through faith (Eph 2:5-10), being placed into the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:12-13), being in Christ Jesus (Ro 3:21-31) with Ro 5:17, 8:1 & 2 and else where. John 1 tells us that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 and that, that “Word”, “And the Word was made flesh” John 1:14a; as also does Paul in writing: “ Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:” Colossians 1:13-15.
i see where Jesus says “If ye continue in my word,” and who is the word? Next, it wasn’t spoken of words, but one, singular, “Word”. We have read “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12. i understood in time back that God’s Word is sure and not to be trifled with. There is only one “Word” there is only, “the way, the truth, and the life:” and that is all and only in Christ Jesus! i ask, was the Torah written in different versions? was there a Judah version or Dan and Ruben versions? i don’t see different versions of Jehovah Witness, Mormon or Catholic bibles (so called). But we (christians self called: “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.” Romans 10;2) have a whole slew of different versions, are they all correct? “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” Judges 21:25 are we there? i believe that God has given over those who reject His “Word” to reprobate minds: “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12. With that am reminded again of Paul, where he writes: “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.” 2 Timothy 3:7-9. “reprobate concerning the faith.”
Concerning “atonement” then, what was it and does it have place in this, “the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you ward.” Ephesians 3:2. i hope you noticed that i put it in the past by saying “what was it” and not what is it. Simply put “atonement” was a stop gap measure put in effect by God to forestall the complete consequence of sin until the Christ should/will/did come to destroy sin eternally. Heres why i can say that, using scripture from a variety of Bible authors, given by the Holy Spirit to give us (who believe) truth.
If one doesn’t use a King James version when following these points that are being made one will become confused. Whereas some versions use different words conjuring different meanings or in some cases, the verse is completely removed; beware.
“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.” Daniel 9:24 Isaiah 52 and 53 tells who this is.
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6
Sin, iniquity and transgressions are all aspects of disobedience, unbelief and rebellion.
“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29 Sin to be removed, taken away!
“And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;” John 16:8-10
“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” John 19:30. Sins debt of death was finished (spiritual and physical) by Christ laying down His life for our, man kinds redemption when believed. Jo 10:17-18; 17:4.
“Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;” Romans 3:25. Sins that are past because of the finished work f the cross!
“To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:19
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32 Past tense.
“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:13-15. “being dead in sins” doesn’t say being unforgiven in sins, but says dead in sins. “having forgiven you” that is past tense, but that forgiveness is only where? Eph 1:7 and Col 1:14, when understood then must be appropriated by and through faith in His faithfulness (Gal 2:20-21). “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances” removing law, all law. “took it out of the way” took it,(the law that was against us, that killed us); “The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.” 1 Corinthians 15:56. “Triumphing” indicates victory, completion, an end of.
“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” Hebrews 9:14 Would not dead works be a form of unbelief; that if one doesn’t keep doing something God won’t: in what ever mode of thought or action…as was/is atonement?
“but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” Hebrews 9:26b. Doesn’t that say sin was removed, i.e. “put away, but only until believed.
“I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.” 1 John 2:12. “your sins are forgiven you” past tense.
“And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.” 1 John 3:5 Sin taken away, removed: “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Ps 103:12, and how far is east from west???
Atonement is an Old Testament word used 69 x’s and only once in the New Testament by Paul; Romans 5:11. When read it may appear that Paul is using atonement in the same vain as sin removed. This is where a good study Bible will be most valuable. Strong’s #2643: from 2644 “reconcile”. i.e. restoration to (the divine) favor:- atonement , reconciliation (-ing). When i understand that with “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:18-19. The second thing to be noticed in the word atonement, it was most always preceded with, “made, make, an, maketh; implying there was an act required of man; i.e. following the dictates of the given law, God’s law. Whereas with reconciliation of the New Testament as seen in 2 Corinthians (and Hebrews) it was all, yes all done by God through Jesus Christ, leaving an decision for man to believe or not to believe.
Taken from “The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary” “Tenney” tenth printing 1969.
The words “atonement,” “make atonement,” “appease,” “pacify,” etc from Hebrew root kaphar occur about 110 times in the OT, principally in Leviticus and Numbers, and the root idea is “to cover.” Christ didn’t come to cover sin but to remove sin. Part of the phrase of 1 Corinthians 15:2 is “unless ye have believed in vain.” If one is taught over and over that Christ only atoned for sin and didn’t take away sin one has believed in vain. That process is seen where Paul wrote “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 4:1-4. Whether by design or ignorance it is still to those who “have believed in vain.”
It is each persons responsibility to read scripture, too “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 To understand why and how one is approved unto God, what is one to believe and then be that. Understanding “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
All this came about while driving home last Sunday from Steen’s Mountain. i was tuned in and listening to a man on christian radio. Don’t recall his name or organization but he’d said one thing that was totally wrong, my ears perked up and i became very attentive. It was short, only two words were added to the verse, to most i doubt, or if some, very few heard. He was referencing Romans 7:24. “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this “sin and” (the speaker added these two words”) death?” i researched different versions but one stood out where as it read “Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?” New Living Translation Romans 7:24. That verse given is contary to Romans 6:14 (KJV); be careful what you read! The man that made that statement and being on radio, must have a rather sufficient following. “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” Another way to say it is: a little error will soon turn the whole to error. We have God’s Word, written on paper; are there errors in the printing, grammar etc, yes most likely; but not in the spirit of what was written. But do you seriously think that God, being all omnipotent, omniscience and omnipresent would allow error that would defile His word, allowing it not to be received by the individual to even come into existence??? “for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” with supporting scriptures being Ro 5:1 and Col 3:15.
Thank You LORD Jesus for loving me and giving me Your life. i’m amazed with my self at times; sometimes in meditation i know in my heart but can’t put it into words. i find in my self, to be weak, ignorant, i need You in all that i do and think. You are my life and my will to do. i’m so glad there is nothing in salvation that is held for me too do; that You have done it all, once, completely and forever; Thank You. In Jesus’s name, in Your name Amen . . . . . .
Comments
Post a Comment