Propitiation of GOD

Would it surprise you to know that the vast majority of "born again" people in your local church do not understand and could not explain what the words propitiation and justification from the Bible mean?  We find the doctrine of salvation explained in Romans 3:21 through 5:11.  Yet, discipleship in most local churches is so vague and ambiguous that most people cannot even explain to someone else what Jesus accomplished through His righteous life, death, burial, and resurrection.  I believe this is the central reason why evangelism is reduced to a one, two, three, say it after me methodology.  Discipleship should teach truths deeply so that these truths can be explained simply.  When we look at most of the discipleship material used by most local churches, it should not surprise us why Christianity is like a river a mile wide and an inch deep. Teaching people an in-depth understanding of God's Word (doctrine) is what defines "they who labour in the word and doctrine" (I Timothy 5:17).

     The doctrine of salvation must be solely and wholly Biblical if it is to be correct.  In the text of Romans 3:21 through 5:11, Paul establishes the doctrine of salvation centering on two truths relating to two words, i.e. propitiation and justification.  When these two truths are properly understood, the doctrine of salvation and the gospel message will be clearly understood.  Throughout the centuries, the doctrine of salvation has been Satan's central target for corruption.  A proper understanding of the propitiation of God and the justification of man (see chart) will totally eliminate any avenue for the corruption of the doctrine of salvation or the perversion of the gospel. 

          The word propitiation refers to the righteous satisfaction of God's justice in the condemnation of all sinners and the substitionary payment of God's death sentence upon all mankind in the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary.  God was propitiated when the righteous sentence of the Law (death) was substitutionally executed in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  Jesus satisfied God's death sentence on humanity (condemnation) for all sin (past, present and future) in His body on the Cross.  Propitiation is a universal and accomplished reality for all mankind.

"¹ My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: ² And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (I John 2:2).

     In the incarnation of the eternal Son of God, God extended Himself to lost humanity in love and grace by putting the full weight of the condemnation of the Law upon Jesus Christ.  In doing so, He opened the door of the prison of condemnation offering mercy and full pardon to "whosoever will."

"⁷ Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. ⁸ He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. ⁹ In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. ¹⁰ Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (I John 4:7-10).

     The death sentence has been paid.  God's righteous death sentence on sin and humanity has been satisfied and executed in Jesus Christ at Calvary.  The door to freedom and reconciliation with God is the Lord Jesus Christ.  However, the person who rejects the propitiatory work of Christ (or denies it with his own attempts at self righteousness or sacramentalism) remains under the death sentence.  The wrath of God remains on the Christ rejector as he awaits the day of his execution (separation from God; death).

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him" (John 3:36).

"¹⁰ For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. ¹¹ But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. ¹² And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. ¹³ Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: ¹⁴ That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith" (Galatians 3:10-14).

     Salvation, justification, remission of sin, forgiveness of sin, redemption, positional sanctification and fellowship with God are all available because God was propitiated when Jesus was substitutionally executed in our place.  If the doctrine of propitiation is misunderstood, all of these other doctrines will be misunderstood as well.  The propitiation of God is the wellspring from which all these other doctrines flow. 

          In the Old Testament (Covenant) the believer's sins were covered over (Hebrew - Kaphar, this is different than forgiveness) until Messiah finally came and paid the wages of sin.  That is why it is theologically incorrect to call the sacrifice of Christ the Atonement.  Jesus did not atone for sin (cover it over).  Jesus fully paid the wages of sin.  This is the differentiation Paul is making in Romans 3:25.

"Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission {paresis; passing over} of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;" (Romans 3:25).

"¹ Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. ² For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. ³ And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; ⁴ Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; ⁵ And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. ⁶ Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. ⁷ But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: ⁸ The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: ⁹ Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; ¹⁰ Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation" (Hebrews 9:1-10).

          The word "reformation" in Hebrews 9:10 is from the Greek word diorthosis (dee-or'-tho-sis).  It was a word used for the straightening and setting of broken bones.  It is a word that means to thoroughly straighten or restore to normal or right position.  The broken Law was a representation of both the cause and condition of fallen humanity under the curse and lost dominion of the first Adam.  In Christ, the last Adam, humanity's fallen condition is restored in our new Federal Head, Jesus Christ.  Regeneration (being "born again") removes the sinner from the fallen creation and makes the believer a "new creature . . . in Christ."

Thank You for visiting this site. If we can be of help in any way, please do not hesitate to ask. Much Blessings on you and yours, Dr. Joseph A.Carson Northland Baptist Ministries