Each page gives a short answer first, then the main Bible passages, and names the chapters of the book where the question is treated more fully. Scripture is quoted from the King James Version.
The Day of Atonement and the scapegoat
- Why Were There Two Goats on the Day of Atonement? One goat’s blood cleansed the sanctuary; the live goat carried Israel’s sins out of the camp.
- Was Jesus the Scapegoat? How Isaiah 53, 1 Peter 2:24 and Hebrews 9:28 describe Christ in the words Leviticus 16 uses of the live goat.
- Who Is Azazel in Leviticus 16? The main readings of a name that appears only in Leviticus 16.
- Was the Scapegoat a Sacrifice to a Demon? The live goat was presented before the LORD and let go, never slaughtered.
- Where Did Jesus Take the Sins He Bore? The live goat went to a land cut off. Where Scripture says Christ carried ours.
- Why Did the Sanctuary Need Cleansing? How Israel’s sins defiled God’s dwelling, and what Leviticus 16:16 means.
- How Does the Day of Atonement Explain Victory Over Satan? The second goat of Leviticus 16 and how forgiveness left the accuser with no charge.
Blood, sacrifice and forgiveness
- Why Does Blood Make Atonement? Leviticus 17:11, what blood cleansed in Leviticus, and why Christ’s blood is better.
- What Does Propitiation Mean in Romans 3:25? Hilasterion, the Greek Bible’s word for the mercy seat on the Ark.
- What Does It Mean That Jesus Bore Our Sins? Isaiah 53, 1 Peter 2:24 and Leviticus on sins laid on the sinless Christ and carried away.
- What Was Nailed to the Cross in Colossians 2? The “handwriting of ordinances” in Colossians 2:14, and three main readings.
- Can God Forgive Without Demanding Payment? The payment view, the Bible texts on free forgiveness, and why the cross was needed.
- Why Does the Resurrection Matter for Forgiveness? Why Paul said that if Christ is not raised, we are still in our sins.
- Why Ask Forgiveness If Jesus Already Died for Our Sins? 1 John 1:9, the Lord’s Prayer, and Jesus as our advocate with the Father.
Views of the atonement
- What Are the Different Theories of Atonement? Ransom, recapitulation, satisfaction, moral influence, penal substitution and Christus Victor.
- Is Penal Substitution Biblical? The view in its defenders’ terms, and the questions Leviticus and Hebrews raise.
- Did God Punish Jesus? Two Christian answers compared.
- Was Jesus a Ransom Paid to the Devil? Mark 10:45, what the early church taught, and who received the ransom.
- What Did the Early Church Believe About Atonement? The several views the church fathers held together.
- Is Righteousness Imputed, or Received Through Union with Christ? How the Reformed view and the view of sharing Christ’s righteousness differ.
Christ our high priest
- Why Is Jesus Called Our High Priest? Hebrews 7 and the priesthood after the order of Melchizedek.
- What Is Jesus Doing in Heaven Now? His intercession and advocacy in Hebrews and 1 John.
- Why Does Hebrews Compare Jesus’ Return to the High Priest Coming Out? Hebrews 9:28 and Israel waiting outside on the Day of Atonement.
- Why Did Joshua the High Priest Have Filthy Garments? Zechariah 3, Satan’s accusation, and God’s answer.
- How Does Atonement Make Us God’s Temple? How cleansing makes room for God’s Spirit to live in his people.
The cross and the defeat of the devil
- How Did Jesus Defeat the Devil by Dying? Hebrews 2:14, the cross, the descent to the dead, and forgiveness.
- What Does It Mean That the Devil Had the Power of Death? A limited power resting on sin and true accusation.
- How Does Forgiveness Defeat Satan? Colossians 2:13–15, Zechariah 3 and Revelation 12 on the accuser’s defeat.
- Why Did Satan Want Jesus Crucified? 1 Corinthians 2:8 and why the devil may have misjudged the cross.
- Did Satan Lose His Authority by Killing an Innocent Jesus? Where the old idea of Satan’s overreach at the cross fits.
- How Does the Blood of the Lamb Overcome the Accuser? Revelation 12:11 read with Zechariah 3 and Colossians 2.
Death, Hades and the descent
- Did Jesus Descend into Hell? What the creed means, and what the Bible says about Hades.
- Did Jesus Suffer in Hell After the Cross? The torment view and Calvin’s view compared with Scripture.
- What Is the Harrowing of Hades? The Bible verses behind it and how Christians have read them.
- Who Were the Spirits in Prison in First Peter? The main readings of 1 Peter 3:18–20 compared.
- What Are the Keys of Death and Hades? Revelation 1:18 and the risen Jesus who was dead and lives.
Satan, sin and temptation today
- Why Does Satan Want People to Sin? The tempter and the accuser, and how forgiveness takes away his hold.
- Does Satan Gain Power Through Human Sin? How Scripture ties the devil’s hold to sin.
- If Satan Was Defeated, Why Is He Still Active? What the cross took from Satan, what remains, and when his end comes.
- Why Does God Allow Satan to Tempt People? Job, Peter’s sifting and the wilderness on testing and temptation.