The preaching of covenantal and victorious atonement is central to our success in preaching. So, if we can understand the theology behind this, it will produce great fruitfulness if you allow God’s Word to become alive within you and written on your heart.
How does atonement bring in the new covenant?
The Hebrew for Atonement Means to Expiate, Forgive, Reconciliation
Yom Kippur means Day of Atonement.
Kippur means expiation (only in plural): — atonement.
Expiation is another word for propitiation, and means He bears our guilt. Kippur comes from the verb and root word Kapar.
3722 ar; is a primary root word; to cover , appease, cleanse, dis annul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, purge (away), put off, (make) reconcile(- liation).
So, we see from this word that atonement covers sin. It means to appease or pardon sin or reconcile between God and man.
So, by following all the legal requirements of the law under the Old Covenant we had our sins covered over. By living according to the New Covenant, we have our sins forgiven and forgotten.
In the Greek the word atonement Means Reconciliation and Restoration of Divine Favor.
The word in Greek for atonement is katallage:
katallagē; means an exchange, restoration to (the divine) favor: — atonement, reconciliation(-ing)
The King James (KJV) and Authorised (AV) New Testament uses atonement only once:
ROMANS 5:11 AND NOT ONLY THAT, BUT WE ALSO REJOICE IN GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THROUGH WHOM WE HAVE NOW RECEIVED THE ATONEMENT.
The KJV and AV use the word reconciliation (or to reconcile) everywhere else. Other versions use reconciliation instead of atonement for katallage.
We Receive the Atonement.
By receiving Jesus we also receive ” reconciliation” with God.
ROMANS 5:11 AND NOT ONLY THAT, BUT WE ALSO REJOICE IN GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THROUGH WHOM WE HAVE NOW RECEIVED THE ATONEMENT.
We receive reconciliation with God through the atonement, but included in the definition is that we receive God’s favor.
How does that happen?
It happens because the New Covenant brings righteousness, and we will see that righteousness opens the way for the Spirit of God to come into our life.
God Keeps and Honors Covenant
Summarizing Old Testament Revelation of God, we find:
God is covenant-keeping, and therefore relational.
He can change His mind except if it breaks covenant.
Covenant is two-directional.
God keeps the Covenant that is active – now the New Covenant.
Defining Covenantal Atonement
Covenantal Atonement is atonement for the purpose of fulfilling and bringing in the New Covenant so that the Father’s original plan for humankind may be fulfilled: to have sons and daughters who are blameless through Jesus Christ.
The New Covenant is the legal document making us a son or daughter of God. It is our adoption paper.
The new covenant is between God the Father and Jesus Christ. We have been placed in Christ, so we are included in the New Covenant.
Covenantal View of the Atonement.
It is my opinion that this is the most biblically accurate view, for there are other views. It is also the view that has been instrumental in bringing many people to Christ, especially in Muslim environments.
Because many cultures understand the concept of inheritance and covenant, it is easier for them to accept.
Therefore, preaching the victory of the kingdom and demonstrations of the power of God through healing is very easy. Also, bringing them to understand their inheritance is very easy by God’s grace.
Covenantal atonement recognizes that the primary atonement purpose was to reconcile man to God so that they may inherit the New Covenant.
Most people will say that Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Although true, that is not the original or main intention of God. When we think of atonement we need to return to God’s original purpose to have sons and daughters through being born again from above through the incorruptible seed of God being conceived in our spirit.
EPHESIANS 1:3-5 BLESSED BE THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHO HAS BLESSED US WITH EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST, JUST AS HE CHOSE US IN HIM BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, THAT WE EXIST HOLY AND WITHOUT BLAME BEFORE HIM IN LOVE, HAVING PREDESTINED US TO ADOPTION AS SONS BY JESUS CHRIST TO HIMSELF, ACCORDING TO THE GOOD PLEASURE OF HIS WILL,
The Atonement Makes us Holy and Blameless.
The main reason that God created humankind was to have sons and daughters. And even before humankind sinned, it was always God’s plan to have sons and daughters who would be holy and blameless.
Furthermore, He wants to have sons and daughters who will enjoy their life on earth and the eternal life or divine nature of God.
Once we have grasped this, we will see that there are considerable advantages in walking a life without sin- which is possible through the atoning work of Jesus AND walking in the Spirit.
The act of making us righteous comes through the atonement. And it is this righteousness that allows the Holy Spirit to enter us.
The New Covenant Allows Sonship.
So, the atonement is reconciliation.
The atoning death of Jesus brings in the New Covenant and
And The New Covenant brings us into the family of God – both Jew and Gentile.
HEBREWS 8:10,13 …AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. IN THAT HE SAYS, “A NEW COVENANT,” HE HAS MADE THE FIRST OBSOLETE…
Therefore, covenantal atonement is the theology that focuses on sonship that comes through the New Covenant.
Day of Atonement
Part of the Old Covenant.
In the book of Hebrews, it states that the atonement sacrifices (bulls and goats) are part of the law:
HEBREWS 10:1,4 FOR THE LAW, HAVING A SHADOW OF THE GOOD THINGS TO COME, AND NOT THE VERY IMAGE OF THE THINGS, CAN NEVER WITH THESE SAME SACRIFICES, WHICH THEY OFFER CONTINUALLY YEAR BY YEAR, MAKE THOSE WHO APPROACH PERFECT…FOR IT IS NOT POSSIBLE THAT THE BLOOD OF BULLS AND GOATS COULD TAKE AWAY SINS.
Therefore, it is crucial to recognize that the Day of Atonement, the High Priest and the sacrifices were all part of the Old Covenant. They are not separate from the Old Covenant; they are part of it.
The Old Covenant is not part of the atonement or the Day of Atonement. On the contrary, the atonement and the Day of Atonement is part of the Old Covenant.
Jesus’ Sacrifice is Part of the New Covenant.
We need to stop and think about this because this is very important to understand. It is a “Selah” moment. Why? Because people have put the sacrifice of Jesus as more important than the New Covenant His sacrifice brought in.
On the contrary, we need to see that the sacrifice brought in the New Covenant and is the reason why Jesus died. Therefore, Jesus sacrifice is part of the New Covenant, the New Covenant is not part of Jesus’ sacrifice.
Jesus’ Atonement is Part of the New Covenant, not, the New Covenant is Part of Jesus’ Atonement Selah
The High Priest.
The High Priest had to bring a sin offering for himself because even though he was the high priest, being human, he still sinned.
LEVITICUS 16:6 “AARON SHALL OFFER THE BULL AS A SIN OFFERING, WHICH IS FOR HIMSELF, AND MAKE ATONEMENT FOR HIMSELF AND FOR HIS HOUSE.
But now Jesus is the High Priest, who did not have to bring a sin offering for Himself as He never sinned.
HEBREWS 4:15 FOR WE DO NOT HAVE A HIGH PRIEST WHO CANNOT SYMPATHIZE WITH OUR WEAKNESSES, BUT WAS IN ALL POINTS TEMPTED AS WE ARE, YET WITHOUT SIN.
Two Goats.
So, in the Old Testament, two goats were required to make atonement- on the Day of Atonement. The high priest would slaughter one goat, the other sent out into the wilderness as the scapegoat.
LEVITICUS 16:7 HE SHALL TAKE THE TWO GOATS AND PRESENT THEM BEFORE THE LORD AT THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE OF MEETING. THEN AARON SHALL CAST LOTS FOR THE TWO GOATS: ONE LOT FOR THE LORD AND THE OTHER LOT FOR THE SCAPEGOAT.
Sin Offering.
But The High Priest only killed one of the goats.
LEVITICUS 16:9 AND AARON SHALL BRING THE GOAT ON WHICH THE LORD’S LOT FELL, AND OFFER IT AS A SIN OFFERING.
Once burnt, someone took the ashes outside the camp.
Jesus presented Himself as a sin offering, taking away the world’s sins and nailing them on the cross.
EPHESIANS 5:2 AND WALK IN LOVE, AS CHRIST ALSO HAS LOVED US AND GIVEN HIMSELF FOR US, AN OFFERING AND A SACRIFICE TO GOD FOR A SWEET-SMELLING AROMA.
And:
HEBREWS 10:12 BUT THIS MAN, AFTER HE HAD OFFERED ONE SACRIFICE FOR SINS FOREVER, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD,
Notice that the context is not by itself, as I have said above, the sacrifice links to the New Covenant in the following few verses in Hebrews:
HEBREWS 10:14-16 “THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR HEARTS, AND IN THEIR MINDS I WILL WRITE THEM,” THEN HE ADDS, “THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE.” NOW WHERE THERE IS REMISSION OF THESE, THERE IS NO LONGER AN OFFERING FOR SIN.
Jesus Death Released the New Covenant, and Stopped all Further Sacrifice.
HEBREWS 9:16-17 FOR WHERE THERE IS A TESTAMENT, THERE MUST ALSO OF NECESSITY BE THE DEATH OF THE TESTATOR. FOR A TESTAMENT IS IN FORCE AFTER MEN ARE DEAD, SINCE IT HAS NO POWER AT ALL WHILE THE TESTATOR LIVES.
Just as an inheritance is only passed onto the children once the parents have died and the will (testament) has been read, so it is with the New Covenant- Jesus had to die for the New Covenant to come into being.
Scapegoat.
The other goat was to have hands laid on it by the High Priest and then it would be released into the wilderness to take away the sins, transgressions and iniquities of the people.
That is what forgiveness means- the power and force of sin removed from us.
LEVITICUS 16:20-21 “AND WHEN HE HAS MADE AN END OF ATONING FOR THE HOLY PLACE, THE TABERNACLE OF MEETING, AND THE ALTAR, HE SHALL BRING THE LIVE GOAT. AARON SHALL LAY BOTH HIS HANDS ON THE HEAD OF THE LIVE GOAT, CONFESS OVER IT ALL THE INIQUITIES OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, AND ALL THEIR TRANSGRESSIONS, CONCERNING ALL THEIR SINS, PUTTING THEM ON THE HEAD OF THE GOAT, AND SHALL SEND IT AWAY INTO THE WILDERNESS BY THE HAND OF A SUITABLE MAN.
And Jesus fulfilled this requirement when He bore our iniquities and sicknesses as the day of Atonement scapegoat. So, this happened to fulfil Isaiah’s prophesy in Isaiah 53 -as Peter says:
1 PETER 2:24 WHO HIMSELF BORE OUR SINS IN HIS OWN BODY ON THE TREE, THAT WE, HAVING DIED TO SINS, MIGHT LIVE FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS—BY WHOSE STRIPES YOU WERE HEALED.
Therefore, covenantal atonement is not new as the Old Covenant had atonement. Covenantal atonement under the New Covenant is superior because the Covenant is superior.
The Joining of the Two Goats Together in Jesus
So, as we have seen, there are two goats required. The high priest sacrificed one, and then the scapegoat had to be sent out into the wilderness by the ‘hand of a suitable man’, And that is what happened with Jesus.
The High Priest Sentenced Him to Death as the Sin Offering.
MATTHEW 26:65-66 THEN THE HIGH PRIEST TORE HIS CLOTHES, SAYING, “HE HAS SPOKEN BLASPHEMY! WHAT FURTHER NEED DO WE HAVE OF WITNESSES? LOOK, NOW YOU HAVE HEARD HIS BLASPHEMY! WHAT DO YOU THINK?” THEY ANSWERED AND SAID, “HE IS DESERVING OF DEATH.”
The Hand of a Suitable Man (Simon) Sent Him Outside the Camp as the Scapegoat.
Remember how they had to find a suitable man to take the scapegoat out into the wilderness?
In the Old Testament it was not the High Priest himself. Likewise, in the New Testament we see the fulfilment of the law’s requirements come through the man Simon the Cyrene.
MATTHEW 27:31-31 AND WHEN THEY HAD MOCKED HIM, THEY TOOK THE ROBE OFF HIM, PUT HIS OWN CLOTHES ON HIM, AND LED HIM AWAY TO BE CRUCIFIED. NOW AS THEY CAME OUT, THEY FOUND A MAN OF CYRENE, SIMON BY NAME. HIM THEY COMPELLED TO BEAR HIS CROSS. AND WHEN THEY HAD COME TO A PLACE CALLED GOLGOTHA, THAT IS TO SAY, PLACE OF A SKULL,
Both Atonement Goats Go Outside the Camp.
Not only the scapegoat goes outside the camp, but the sacrificial goat was also!
HEBREWS 13:11-13 FOR THE BODIES OF THOSE ANIMALS, WHOSE BLOOD IS BROUGHT INTO THE SANCTUARY BY THE HIGH PRIEST FOR SIN, ARE BURNED OUTSIDE THE CAMP. THEREFORE, JESUS ALSO, THAT HE MIGHT SANCTIFY THE PEOPLE WITH HIS OWN BLOOD, SUFFERED OUTSIDE THE GATE. THEREFORE, LET US GO FORTH TO HIM, OUTSIDE THE CAMP, BEARING HIS REPROACH.
Therefore, Jesus fulfilled the law perfectly as the atonement and because He died, the atonement brings in a New Covenant – covenantal atonement in action.
You Die with Christ – Covenantal atonement.
The Sin Nature is Done Away With, You are no Longer a Sinner.
ROMANS 6:5-10 OR IF WE HAVE BEEN UNITED TOGETHER IN THE LIKENESS OF HIS DEATH, CERTAINLY WE ALSO SHALL BE IN THE LIKENESS OF HIS RESURRECTION, KNOWING THIS, THAT OUR OLD MAN WAS CRUCIFIED WITH HIM, THAT THE BODY OF SIN MIGHT BE DONE AWAY WITH, THAT WE SHOULD NO LONGER BE SLAVES OF SIN. FOR HE WHO HAS DIED HAS BEEN FREED FROM SIN. NOW IF WE DIED WITH CHRIST, WE BELIEVE THAT WE SHALL ALSO LIVE WITH HIM, KNOWING THAT CHRIST, HAVING BEEN RAISED FROM THE DEAD, DIES NO MORE. DEATH NO LONGER HAS DOMINION OVER HIM
Jesus’ Atoning Work
So, we have seen that Jesus was the perfect sin offering goat, and the scape goat. When He bore our sins into the wilderness and died for our sins. But what happened at that point?
Jesus reconciled us to God.
It means that we have no more guilt or shame.
He bore our sins and sickness away into the wilderness and nailed them to the cross.
We are now dead to sin.
The law (Old Covenant) was nailed to the cross.
The atoning death of Jesus ensures that the New Covenant comes into effect: our sins are remembered no more.
Who is Atoned?
There is no atonement without propitiation, and therefore the atonement is for the one who believes in Jesus.
ROMANS 3:25 WHOM GOD SET FORTH AS A PROPITIATION BY HIS BLOOD, THROUGH FAITH, TO DEMONSTRATE HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, BECAUSE IN HIS FORBEARANCE GOD HAD PASSED OVER THE SINS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY COMMITTED,
Atonement brings in the New Covenant.
The atonement allows the New Covenant to work in us, because the death of Jesus brings in the New Covenant.
HEBREWS 9:17 FOR A TESTAMENT IS IN FORCE AFTER MEN ARE DEAD, SINCE IT HAS NO POWER AT ALL WHILE THE TESTATOR LIVES.
This scripture teaches us that because of Jesus’ atoning death, the Old Covenant died, and New Covenant was made available.
Jesus’ Atonement Inaugurates the New Covenant.
This next verse says that the Old Covenant was dedicated, and according to this teaching in Hebrews, the same applies for the New Covenant:
HEBREWS 9:18 THEREFORE NOT EVEN THE FIRST COVENANT WAS DEDICATED WITHOUT BLOOD.
This word dedicated is only used twice in the Bible, in Hebrews related to the New Covenant. It is the word:
ἐγκαινίζω egkainizō; from 1456; to renew, inaugurate:
The second time this word is used is
HEBREWS 10:16-19 “THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR HEARTS, AND IN THEIR MINDS I WILL WRITE THEM,” THEN HE ADDS, “THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE.” NOW WHERE THERE IS REMISSION OF THESE, THERE IS NO LONGER AN OFFERING FOR SIN. THEREFORE, BRETHREN, HAVING BOLDNESS TO ENTER THE HOLIEST BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS, BY A NEW AND LIVING WAY WHICH HE INAUGURATED FOR US, THROUGH THE VEIL, THAT IS, HIS FLESH,
Inaugurate means to put into place for the first time. For example: the new President will be inaugurated on the 20th of January.
So, the atonement inaugurates the New Covenant. The atonement brings in the New Covenant. It is not just that we are atoned for, but what the atonement does inside our body. So let us look at that, as it is compelling.
What is Atoned?
Our body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit:
1 CORINTHIANS 3:16 DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT YOU ARE THE TEMPLE OF GOD AND THAT THE SPIRIT OF GOD DWELLS IN YOU?
The atonement is in our whole body, including our spirit, and soul which Holy Spirit will renew once He comes inside you.
LEVITICUS 16:20 “AND WHEN HE HAS MADE AN END OF ATONING FOR THE HOLY PLACE, THE TABERNACLE OF MEETING, AND THE ALTAR, HE SHALL BRING THE LIVE GOAT.
New Covenant Now Works in Us
There is covenantal atonement when a person believes that Jesus died for their sins, sickness, and torments. Immediately the New Covenant comes into effect.
We are the Righteousness of Christ.
HEBREWS 8:12 FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE.”
Jesus overcame sin and BECAME sin so that we BECOME the righteousness of God.
So that makes us as righteous as Jesus Christ.
2 CORINTHIANS 5:21 FOR HE MADE HIM WHO KNEW NO SIN TO BE SIN FOR US, THAT WE MIGHT BECOME THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN HIM.
We give Him our sin and He gives us His righteousness. That is what I call a trading platform in previous messages on my website.
This is the Great Exchange of the New Covenant.
Righteousness Opens the Way for the Holy Spirit to Enter the Body that Jesus Atoned:
Jesus lives in our spirit and the Holy Spirit when we are immersed-baptized in the Holy Spirit seals our body for glorification.
I use to believe that only the overcomers receive a glorified body but I am not sure anymore, I think everyone in Christ receives a gloried body and becomes the bride of Christ. My understanding of the written word of God is constantly changing and expanding because Holy Spirit is leading me into all the truth. That means I still only understand in part, but I have been studying the word for 40 years and I do not think I am being tossed to and fro any more. But a lot of people will not even consider reading what I have written. That sounds like a spirit of pride to me. It has taken me a long time to take every thought that enters my mind, to determine the source of -my brain, the Holy
Spirit or the enemy. I know in my spirit, but my mind still has to interpret it, so I ask my father to explain, and He does but sometimes not right way-because sometimes it is hard to handle the truth. It deconstructs your old belief system.
ROMANS 8:10 AND IF CHRIST IS IN YOU, THE BODY IS DEAD BECAUSE OF SIN, BUT THE SPIRIT IS LIFE BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
It is because of righteousness, the Spirit of Life comes in.
Holy Spirit Raised Jesus from the Dead, Holy Spirit Now Raises us from the Dead in the Same Manner.
Covenantal Atonement Summary:
ACTION – Jesus’ sacrificial death
HOW – Propitiation by His blood and person
PRODUCING – Atonement for our sins, cleansing of the temple (We are the temple of the Holy Spirit), AND reconciliation with God.
Jesus’ death brings the New Covenant
DECREE – the New Covenant brings righteousness; Righteousness allows Spirit of Life to enter inside of us.
ACTION – Holy Spirit Brings New Birth
Covenantal Atonement
Covenantal atonement is a much more accurate representation of atonement that Penal Substitution or other religious views.