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3. Angel Manuel Rodriguez Principal Contributor Angel Manuel Rodriguez Principal Contributor

4. 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

5. 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.

6. Atonement and the Cross of Christ Lesson 9, November 29 Atonement and the Cross of Christ Lesson 9, November 29

7. Metaphors of Salvation Key Text Romans 3:25 NIV “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished.”

8. Metaphors of Salvation Initial Words {287} Ideas on the meaning of Christ’s death: 1. A ransom paid to liberate us. 2. A sublime revelation of God’s love. 3. An expiatory sacrifice. 4. A reconciling act. 5. A declaration of acquittal. The death of Christ is all of these and more

9. Metaphors of Salvation Quick Look 1. Redemption and Reconciliation (Eph 1:7; 2 Cor 5:18) 2. Justification and Expiatory Sacrifice (Romans 3:24, 25) 3. Display of God’s Love (1 John 4:9)

10. Metaphors of Salvation 1. Redemption Ephesians 1:7 NKJV “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

11. 1. Redemption Prisoners of Sin {288} Redemption is deliverance from debt or slavery through the payment of a ransom. In this thinking, the whole world became a prisoner of sin, and the law was the gatekeeper (Gal 3:22, 23). Christ came and paid the price of our redemption, making life available for all who believe in Him.

12. 1. Redemption Prisoners of Sin {289} Christ also redeemed us from the “curse of the law” (Gal 3:13 NIV). The curse of the law was the claim it made against the life of those who violated it (vs 10). It provided the legal basis for the death of the culprit. God’s solution is to “send his Son … born under the law, to redeem those under the law (Gal 4:4, 5 NIV).

13. 1. Reconciliation For Enemies {290} 2 Corinthians 5:18 NKJV “Now all things are of God, who reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ….” Reconciliation is the restoration of peaceful relationships between individuals once at enmity. Usually a mediator is needed.

14. 1. Reconciliation For Enemies {290} 1. God took the initiative. 2. God used a Mediator. 3. The object of reconciliation is “us”. 4. A process formed by two divine actions. a. On the cross: “not counting men’s sin against them” (2 Cor 5:19). b. Ministry entrusted: “has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (Ibid).

15. Metaphors of Salvation 2. Justification and Expiatory Sacrifice Romans 3:24, 25 NKJV “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set to be a propitiation by His blood, through faith….”

16. 2. Justification An Acquittal {292} Justification is, fundamentally, a legal term that refers to the acquittal of someone accused of a crime but who is found innocent in a court. 1. The legal image implies that humans have been charged with a crime and have been found guilty as charged.

17. 2. Justification An Acquittal {292} 2. God has provided for humans a way out: “righteousness from God apart from the law (Rom 3:21). 3. God does not make distinctions between peoples (vs 22). 4. God’s decision is justifiable through Christ’s redemptive work (vs 24).

18. 2. Expiatory Sacrifice A Reality {294} 1. Provided by God Himself. 2. An act of substitution. 3. Christ’s sacrifice is propitiatory in the sense that it liberated us from the wrath of God. 4. The sacrifice of Christ expresses, actualizes, and provides the legal foundation for God’s will to save us.

19. Metaphors of Salvation 3. Display of God’s Love 1 John 4:9 NKJV “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.”

20. 3. Display of God’s Love On the Cross {296} The engine that configured the plan of salvation and put it into effect was divine love, the very essence of God. Satan’s charges against God cast doubts concerning the nature of God. Was He indeed a loving, sacrificing God? The cross of Christ dispelled, forever, all doubts concerning the character of God.

21. That the Creator willingly choose to become human and suffer and die on the cross in order to save a race that did not deserve it revealed that God’s love was beyond the full comprehension of heavenly intelligences. “Look at the cross of Calvary. It is a standing pledge of the boundless love, the measure-less mercy of the heavenly Father.” SM 1:156 3. Display of God’s Love On the Cross {296}

22. Metaphors of Salvation Final Words {298} “Christ was to take the wrath of God which in justice should fall upon man. He became a refuge for man, and although man was indeed a criminal, deserving the wrath of God, yet he could by faith in Christ run into the refuge provided and be safe. In the midst of death there is life if man chose to accept it.” Review and Herald Feb 24 1874