Required reading
Christ's doctrine of the atonement by George Smeaton (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence Chapter 5 by reading Sections XXXIV to XXXVI.
My summary
This week Smeaton begins a new chapter examining the perceptible influence of the atonement to other interests in the universe.
Firstly Smeaton himself gives us a list of such effects of the atonement: ' Thus, (1) the atonement has an intimate connection with the overthrow of Judaism and the temple- worship, to pave the way for Christ's kingdom being set up in its new form on the earth. The cross is the basis or the sole foundation of His throne ; for it was not upon His teaching, or upon His example, that His kingdom was reared, but upon His atoning work. (2) This atonement was the great foundation of Christ's relation to the sheep ; it giving the Shepherd a flock, and laying the basis of the whole relation between His flock and Him. (3) The atonement makes a pathway for the communication of the Spirit, which a fallen race could not otherwise have possessed. (4) The atonement of the Lord, or the finished work of redemption, glorifies God on the earth, or gives the supreme God the glory due to His name, as the tribute or. revenue from His creatures. (5) The Lord Jesus, by means of His humiliation unto death, opened heaven, and brought men and angels, heretofore separated and estranged, into a new relation. (6) The atonement is called the judgment of the world, and the victory by which the Lord overcame the world. (7) The atoning death of Jesus is declared to have judged and cast out the prince of this world. (8) It overcomes the power of death and the fear of death. '
Secondly Smeaton examines the death of Christ in connection with the raising of the temple of God, as expressed in the words: 'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up' (John 2:19). Smeaton teaches us that by the atonement, a new temple was formed where God was to have his perpetual abode.
Thirdly Smeaton shows us what is meant by the text: 'Now is judgment of this world : now shall the prince of this world be cast out' (John 12:31). Smeaton explains: '...the hour had come, when the grand adjudication process was to take place, that should decide at once and for ever the question to whom the world should belong, as its prince.'
What grabbed me
I liked Smeaton's opening statement on this section: 'It must be regarded as a narrow and unbiblical theory, which limits the whole effects of the atonement to man. Though the objective acceptance of our persons, and the inward renovation of our natures, together with the provision for a life of worship, which we have already exhibited from particular sayings of Jesus, may be considered as the proximate results, as they may be said to be the first and main concern of sinful creatures, yet these are by no means all the effects that were contemplated by the atonement, or are accomplished by it. It will be found that our Lord constantly spoke, with His eye upon all the relations of the universe, and with the consciousness that His work had a reference to them all.'
The atonement is the most stupendous event in all of creation.
Next week's reading
Continue Chapter 5 by reading Sections XXXVII to XXXIX.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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