BY DR. JOHN SULLIVAN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR-TREASURER
FLORIDA BAPTIST CONVENTION

Understand atonement in light of new covenant

For the past three weeks, we have examined the doctrine of atonement as the radical demarcation of Christianity from other religions and as a fulfillment of Old Testament sacrificial system. But to fully understand the atonement, it must be interpreted in the light of the new covenant.

Consider Hebrews 8:6-13: “But now he hath obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days comes, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts; and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people. And they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. In that he saith, a new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away." (KJV)

Let me share an outline I have done on the covenant from this passage:

1. New in description (Hebrews 8:13)

(1) NEOS – new point of time only. KAINOS – new in substance and quality. Not a reproduction of the old.

(2) COVENANT – there are two concepts of covenant: (1) A contract between consenting parties – equal/mutual agreement; (2) A last will and testament – non-consenting parties. The offer of atonement comes from God. He states the conditions – no negotiations. The new Covenant is based entirely on love and the perfect sacrifice of Jesus.

(3) TO THE “UTTERMOST” – two qualities merge into a complete revelation – quality/plus extent. In Christ there is the fullness of quantity and the fullness of duration. His death brings about a better hope, a better promise, a better sacrifice and a better covenant.

2. New in depiction

(1) THE CROSS: God’s chosen way.

A. Propitiation is used four times in New Testament. (Romans 3:25; Hebrews 2:17; 1 John 2:1-2; 1 John 4:10)

a. Christ has to deal with my sin. To become my “mercy” He was:
(a) subjected to the filthiest insults
(b) defiled by the spit of soldiers
(c) pierced with thorns
(d) beaten, bruised and bled

b. Jesus laid down His life during this orgy of insanity.

c. God cannot be reconciled to man in his sin. Man must be reconciled to God in God’s holiness.

d. God’s son refused to come down from the cross. It is easier to come down from a cross than out of a grave.

B. Emancipation: Victory Over Satan

a. His resurrection is how we win the victory.
(a) He manifests Himself to destroy the works of the Devil – “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8 KJV)

C. Intercession: The Integrating Aspect

a. Atonement not complete by death but when High Priest sprinkled the blood on the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies.
(a) Atonement involves priestly intercession – “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16 KJV)

Believers should:
* Praise Immanuel – Our Hope
* Praise the Man of Sorrows – Our Example
* Praise the Lord – Our resurrection
* Praise the King – Our second coming
* Praise the High Priest – Our atonement through the sprinkling of the blood and intercession!

We must never diminish the truth of atonement to the understanding of the postmodern mind that is driven by tolerance. We must preach – not whisper – Christ crucified! I refuse to disengage from my high calling to discuss any controversy over atonement. It comes by the love of God, which I cannot explain. But why would I ever want to worship a God I can explain?

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You may contact Dr. John Sullivan at
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