What record is there in the bible that non Jews sacrificed for the atonement of sin?
I agree with you that the OT sacrifices were for the nation of Israel. But they also were for non-Israelites who were associated with the nation Israel, like Rahab, for instance, or Ruth. This may have been a foreshadowing that the sacrificial provision for sin that God would make in Christ would include the Gentiles--that Gentiles would be brought in under the umbrella of the once for all sacrifice.
Ephesians tells us that Christ has given himself for us (including Gentiles--see 2:11) as "an offering and sacrifice for a sweet smelling odor to God." 1 Corinthians says that "our paschal lamb has been sacrificed, even Christ." (5:7)
Anytime the scripture mentions peace or reconciliation or propitiation coming through the blood of Christ, it would seem that the idea of sacrifice is in mind.
Ephesians 2 tells us that we both--Jews and Gentiles--come together through the one sacrifice. The Gentiles are brought in under the umbrella of this sacrifice. The middle wall of separation that keeps Gentiles out of the place where the sacrifices for sins were made is broken down by Christ's sacrifice, and both Jews and Gentiles have peace with God through the sacrifice of Christ.
[ March 16, 2003, 01:54 AM: Message edited by: russell55 ]