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What does the Bible say about atonement?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that God atones for sin through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, who bore the judgment sinners deserve and reconciles all who trust in him to God. Leviticus 17:11 shows that God appointed blood as the means of atonement, pointing forward to Christ's final sacrifice. Isaiah 53:5 and 1 Peter 2:24 proclaim that Jesus was wounded for our sins and bore them in his body on the cross. Hebrews 9:12, 22 teaches that his own blood secured eternal redemption once for all. As 1 John 2:2 and 1 Peter 3:18 declare, Christ the righteous died for the unrighteous, bringing his people to God.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • 1 Peter 2:24 5 votes

    He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness. You were healed by his wounds.

  • Leviticus 17:11 4 votes

    For the life of the flesh is in the blood. I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement by reason of the life.

  • 1 John 2:2 4 votes

    And he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.

  • Hebrews 9:12 3 votes

    nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption.

  • Hebrews 9:22 3 votes

    According to the law, nearly everything is cleansed with blood, and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission.

  • Isaiah 53:5 2 votes

    But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed.

  • Revelation 5:9 2 votes

    They sang a new song, saying, “You are worthy to take the book and to open its seals, for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood out of every tribe, language, people, and nation,

  • 1 Peter 3:18 2 votes

    Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit,

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