The English word "atonement" is derived from the three terms which actually make up the word: "at-one-ment." It denotes the state of agreement and togetherness between two people, with the understanding that the two people were at one time estranged from one another but have been brought back together into a state of harmony and peace.

The word "atone" means "to make amends or reparation for wrongdoing or a wrongdoer; to bring into agreement; reconcile." "Atonement" means "satisfaction given for wrongdoing."

The words "atonement" and "reconciliation" are connected in meaning, but there is a significant difference between the words. While "reconciliation" focuses upon the action of bringing two separated parties back together, "atonement" focuses upon that which was necessary in order to bring them together.

Christians should be very interested in understanding the meaning of the word "atonement." In the Bible, the word "atonement" refers to that which satisfies the penalty for our sin, thus allowing us to escape the wrath of God and be reconciled back unto Him.

The Law of God states that the penalty for sin is death (Gen. 2:17; Ezek. 18:20). God allowed the sacrificial offering of the blood of animals as a means of satisfying this penalty: "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul" (Lev. 17:11). "And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission" (Heb. 9:22).

The Patriarchs offered animal sacrifices as an atonement for the sins committed by themselves and their family members (Job 1:5).

Under the Law of Moses these sacrifices for atonement became much more specific and numerous. An interesting observation is that in the New King James Version, the word "atonement" appears 99 times - but all of these appearances are in the Old Testament. In fact, the word appears 83 times in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy - the books which provide the details of the Law of Moses.

This does not mean that the idea of atonement is not found in the New Testament. The entire life of Jesus Christ, especially His death, could be summarized by the word "atonement." Jesus said of Himself, "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matt. 20:28).

Through the death of Jesus Christ, one perfect sacrifice was made to provide atonement for every sin. "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins... By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all... For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified" (Heb. 10:4, 10, 14).