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    In Context

    What Is the Atonement — In Biblical Context

    The atonement is Christ's sacrificial death on the cross, which reconciles sinners to God.

    Quick Answer

    The atonement is Christ's sacrificial death on the cross, which reconciles sinners to God.

    "We also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement." — Romans 5:11 (KJV)

    The Biblical Context

    Atonement literally means 'at-one-ment' — bringing God and man together. In the Old Testament, animal sacrifices covered sin temporarily. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world permanently. His death satisfied God's justice, paid sin's penalty, and opened the way to God. The veil in the Temple was torn at the crucifixion, symbolising direct access to God through Christ's blood.

    Where It Sits in Scripture

    The core passage for this question, Romans 5:11, sits inside Romans 5. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.

    "We also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement."
    — Romans 5:11 (KJV)

    Supporting Passages

    1 John 2:2
    "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."
    Hebrews 9:22
    "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."

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    Meaning

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    Related Verses

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    Full Answer

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    Commentary

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    In-depth study • Atonement

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