Channels, Spring 2018

Channels • 2018 • Volume 2 • Number 2 Page 5 needed to be repeated periodically, and a human mediator, who himself needed atonement, was required to declare God’s absolving grace.” 14 Hebrews compares the ineffectiveness of the sacrificial system found in Mosaic law to the perfect atoning sacrifice of Christ saying, “but as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” 15 Therefore, “the sacrifice of Christ, being a real sacrifice and not a token one, is perpetually effective and therefore calls for no repetition.” 16 Thus, “considering the sacrifices and what they foreshadowed, it becomes clear that Christ’s substitutionary atonement on behalf of his people fulfills that entire system.” 17 The sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross ushered in the New Covenant enacting complete atonement for the guilty and providing eternal forgiveness for sin. “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” 18 Atonement and the Priesthood Christ did not fulfill the Day of Atonement only by becoming a perfect sacrifice, but also by becoming a perfect high priest. The atoning work of Christ; therefore, is twofold. Through Christ’s sacrifice, sin is completely atoned for, God’s wrath is fully satisfied, and the conscience of the believer is truly purified. In addition, Christ’s work as the mediator of his own sacrifice gives him access to God in the heavenly places on the behalf of the people and affects an eternal priesthood through his one blood sacrifice. Biblical theology aids in our understanding of Christ’s priestly office. For not only does intertextuality aid in our comparison between the Levitical priesthood and Christ, but the canon foreshadows a better high priest that is coming, Christ Jesus. The covenants under which the two priestly lines perform sacrifices and mediate atonement allows for a framework in connecting the relationship of priesthood to the atonement. 14 R.K. Harrison, Leviticus: An Introduction and Commentary (Downers Grove: IVP, 1980) p. 176 15 Hebrews 9:26 16 F.F. Bruce, “The Epistle to the Hebrews” The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1990) p. 230 17 Michael G. McKelvey, “Leviticus” A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the Old Testament: The Gospel Promised (Wheaton: Crossway, 2016) p. 102 18 Hebrews 10:14