powerpoint presentation designed by claro ruiz vicente Adult Bible Study Guide Oct Nov Dec 2008 Adult Bible Study Guide Oct Nov Dec 2008

powerpoint presentation designed by claro ruiz vicente Adult Bible Study Guide Oct Nov Dec 2008 Adult Bible Study Guide Oct Nov Dec 2008

Dear User … This PowerPoint Show is freely shared to all who may find it beneficial. While intended primarily for personal use, some find it useful for teaching the lesson in church. There are those, however, who add illustrations, change background, adjust font size, etc. While their intention may be good, this is not right. Slide #1 says “designed by claro ruiz vicente.” For honest Christians, it is not necessary for another’s creation to be copyrighted in order to be respected. PLEASE USE AS IS.

Angel Manuel Rodriguez Principal Contributor Angel Manuel Rodriguez Principal Contributor

Atonement and the Cross of Christ Contents 1. God’s Nature: The Basis of Atonement 2. Cosmic Crisis: The Disruption of God’s Established Order 3. The Fall Into Sin 4. Atonement and the Divine Initiative 5. Atonement Announced 6. Atonement in Symbols: Part 1 7. Atonement in Symbols: Part 2 8. Born of a Woman—Atonement and Incarnation 9. Metaphors of Salvation 10. Atonement at the Cross 11. Benefits of Christ’s Atoning Sacrifice 12. United to Christ 13. Atonement and Universal Harmony 1. God’s Nature: The Basis of Atonement 2. Cosmic Crisis: The Disruption of God’s Established Order 3. The Fall Into Sin 4. Atonement and the Divine Initiative 5. Atonement Announced 6. Atonement in Symbols: Part 1 7. Atonement in Symbols: Part 2 8. Born of a Woman—Atonement and Incarnation 9. Metaphors of Salvation 10. Atonement at the Cross 11. Benefits of Christ’s Atoning Sacrifice 12. United to Christ 13. Atonement and Universal Harmony

Atonement and the Cross of Christ Our Goal {181} As you study the meaning of Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice, be moved toward a greater commitment to the One who suffered so much for you, so that whether you live or die, you can do so in peace.

Atonement and the Cross of Christ Lesson 6, November 8 Atonement and the Cross of Christ Lesson 6, November 8

Atonement in Symbols: Part 1 Key Text Isaiah 46:10 NIV “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”

Atonement in Symbols: Part 1 Initial Words {249} A lot of symbolism is found in the biblical sacrificial system: 1. Because the death of the animal stood for the death of the individual, the sacrificial act was an act of salvation. 2. The death of sacrificial victims had a symbolic function only. It pointed to the death of the Seed of the woman, Jesus.

Initial Words {249} Sacrificial System Symbolism 3. The killing of the animal illustrated the seriousness of sin and the costliness of forgiveness. The price God will pay for our redemption will be the “precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”

Atonement in Symbols: Part 1 Quick Look 1. Atonement & Animal Sacrifices (Genesis 4:4) 2. Atonement & Sin/Impurity (Leviticus 15:31) 3. Atonement & Other Sacrifices (Leviticus 22:18)

Atonement in Symbols: Part 1 1. Atonement & Animal Sacrifices Genesis 4:4 NKJV “Abel also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering.”

1. Atonement & Animal Sacrifices Sin Offering Lessons {253} 1. The type of animal brought depended on the financial condition of the individual. Salvation through Christ is for all people, regardless of status in the world. 2. The sacrificial victim was expected to be without physical defect. The sinner was defective [but], the sacrificial victim that represented the Lamb of God wasn’t.

1. Atonement & Animal Sacrifices Sin Offering Lessons {253} The sin offering atones for both unintentional and intentional sin and ritual impurity. There was no sin that God could not forgive if the sinner repented from it. No matter our past, no matter how badly we have fallen, we can, through Jesus, find restitution, healing, forgiveness, and cleansing.

Atonement in Symbols: Part 1 2. Atonement & Sin/Impurity Leviticus 15:31 NKJV “ ‘Thus you shall separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness, lest they die in their uncleanness when they defile My tabernacle that is among them.’ ”

2. Atonement and Sin/Impurity Metaphor of Death {251} “Impurity” becomes a metaphor to express a person’s alienation from God and others. The impure person was in the realm of death and could be removed from that place only through a cleansing ritual. Otherwise, he would be permanently separated from God and the rest of the people of God.

The biblical concept of impurity indicates that humans are almost in a natural state of contamination existing in an environment that is fundamentally unclean. They need cleansing in order to approach the Lord. This cleansing was primarily possible through the blood of the sacrificial victim. 2. Atonement and Sin/Impurity Metaphor of Death {251}

The sinner placed a hand on the head of the animal…. The laying of hands was associated with the phrase “be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him” indicating the sinner fully identified with the sacrificial victim. The sacrificial victim was at that moment standing for him/her before God, bearing the sin of the individual. 2. Atonement and Sin/Impurity Removal of Sin/Impurity {255}

The sacrificial victim was commonly killed by the individual. 2. Atonement and Sin/Impurity Removal of Sin/Impurity {255} Besides the laying on of hands and the death of the animal, another ritual was the bringing of the blood into the sanctuary, the means by which the sin was brought there: 1. Sprinkled inside the tabernacle. 2. Applied to the horns of the altar of sacrifices. 3. Priest eats the flesh.

God was assuming responsibility for the sin of repentant sinners. This pointed to Christ’s high-priestly ministry on our behalf. 2. Atonement and Sin/Impurity Removal of Sin/Impurity {255}

Atonement in Symbols: Part 1 3. Atonement & Other Sacrifices Leviticus 22:18 NKJV “ ‘Whatever man of the house of Israel … who offers his sacrifice for any of his vows or for any of his free will offerings, which they offer as a burnt offering….”

3. Atonement and Other Sacrifices Various Offerings {257} In Leviticus the burnt offering is an atoning sacrifice, but other functions predominate. Because the sacrifice was totally burned on the altar, it represented total consecration to the Lord. It also was offered as a votive or freewill offering, brought after a vow was fulfilled to express gratitude to the Lord.

3. Atonement and Other Sacrifices Various Offerings {257} The peace offering could be offered as a thanksgiving offering, a votive offering, and a freewill offering suggesting that the sacrificial act was a joyous occasion. The meal offering was from fruits of the land, a recognition of God’s gracious provision. Accompanied by the “salt of the covenant” it expresses willingness to preserve the covenant relationship with God.

Atonement in Symbols: Part 1 Final Words {248} When repentant sinners brought their sacrifices to the Lord, they were acknowledging that they were sinners who deserve death. But they also were manifesting faith, trusting that the Lord would grant them forgiveness by accepting the life of the sacrificial victim in their stead.

Atonement in Symbols: Part 1 Final Words {248} Assuming responsibility for our sin is indispensable (this is known as repentance and confession). Only those who, in the light of the Cross, see themselves as sinners in need of forgiveness and humbly find in Christ the Lamb of God that takes away their sin will experience cleansing.