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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 4, October 25 Atonement and the Cross of Christ Lesson 4, October 25

7. Atonement and the Divine Initiative Key Text Ephesians 1:9, 10 NIV “And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.”

8. Atonement and the Divine Initiative Initial Words {222} Human beings were given moral freedom. They could use this freedom either by rendering to Him faithful obedience, or disobey the Lord. God—foreseeing that horrible possibility of disobedience—acted accordingly. Thus, the plan of salvation was conceived in the divine mind long before humans were created.

9. Atonement and the Divine Initiative Quick Look 1. The Mystery of God’s Love (Romans 5:6-8) 2. The Mystery of God’s Grace (Ephesians 1:7) 3. The Mystery of God’s Plan (Colossians 1:26)

10. Atonement and the Divine Initiative 1. The Mystery of God’s Love Romans 5:8 NKJV “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

11. 1. The Mystery of God’s Love Not Forced {223} God was not obliged to save the human race. If God felt obliged to save us, salvation would be something that we deserve. It is something we don’t deserve, and yet, God was willing to give it to us anyway. He did for us, not what He was forced to do but what He, out of love, choose to do.

12. 1. The Mystery of God’s Love Not Forced {223} Because of sin, it is impossible for humans, through obedience to the law, to reconstruct their original relationship with God. If salvation was something that we could earn through obedience, God would owe it to us to save us.

13. 1. The Mystery of God’s Love Not Forced {223} Instead, God determined that humans will be forgiven and restored to permanent and eternal fellowship with Him only through the work and person of His Son, Jesus Christ.

14. Atonement and the Divine Initiative 2. The Mystery of God’s Grace Ephesians 1:7 NIV “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”

15. 2. The Mystery of God’s Grace Exclusively in Christ {225} God was going to defeat sin on this planet through the power of grace. In the Bible, grace is an aspect of God’s love, and it is extended in a particular way to sinners. The Biblical concept of grace reaffirms the fact that the atoning work of Christ reaches us as a gift, a work of salvation that we did not deserve.

16. God’s grace implies that our sin is unjustifiable and deserving eternal death; yet, instead of that death we were given the hope and promise of life, even eternal life. This wonderful aspect of God’s nature was revealed in the person and work of Christ. It is only and exclusively in Him that we find and enjoy the benefits of “the riches of His grace.” 2. The Mystery of God’s Grace Exclusively in Christ {225}

17. Atonement and the Divine Initiative 3. The Mystery of God’s Plan Colossians 1:26 NKJV “The mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.”

18. 3. The Mystery of God’s Plan Before the Foundation {227} 1. It was formulated before the “foundation the world.” Long before humans fell into sin, the Godhead had created a plan to deal with that calamity. 2. This divine mystery was “kept hidden for ages and generations.” It was also determined that it would be put into effect at particular moment. It remained hidden.

19. 3. The Mystery of God’s Plan Before the Foundation {227} 3. Specifically identified with Christ—His ministry, death, resurrection, and mediation on behalf of a sinful human race. 4. Defined as God’s purpose in Christ “to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. 5. Now become known through the coming of Christ into human history.

20. The whole life of Jesus was oriented by what He needed to do in order to accomplish His mission. The ministry of Jesus clearly was determined by willingness to accomplish God’s plan for the salvation of human race. Every aspect of His life was part of this plan. He was following the eternal plan put together by the Godhead. 3. The Mystery of God’s Plan Revealed in Jesus {231}

21. My Life Today 100 Final Words {233} “We would never have learned the meaning of this word ‘grace’ had we not fallen. … Grace is an attribute of God shown to undeserving human beings. We did not seek after it, but it was sent in search for us. God rejoices to bestow this grace on everyone who hungers for it, not because we are worthy, but because we are so utterly unworthy.”

22. Atonement and the Divine Initiative Presentation Record 1. SSL 25 Oct 08