Yes, I still hold to that.We can open a new thread on what Propitiation means if people want. I would like to get back to the O.P.
@JonC wrote:
Do you still hold to this? If so, please note my response to it.
I cannot accept this. There are three places in Scripture where the Lord Jesus is described as a 'propitiation' (NIV 'atoning sacrifice'). These are Romans 3:25-26; 1 John 2:2; 1 John 4:10. I do not see any immediate context to the New Birth in these verses. That is not to decry the vitally important place of the New Birth in our salvation, but it is to say that the teaching does not show up around Propitiation.
What does show up is blood.
In Romans 3:25, we are immediately told that the propitiation was 'by His blood.' In 1 John 1:7, we are told that 'The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all iniquity.' This must surely have reference to 2:2.
This is also in line with the O.T.
Exodus 12:13. 'When I see the blood, I will pass over you.'
Leviticus 17:10. 'For it is the blood that makes atonement for your soul.'
And in other parts of the N.T. eg. Ephesians 1:7; 2:13; Colossians 1:20.
One point I find interesting is that in 1 John 4:10, the sending of Christ as a Propitiation is ascribed to God's love, whilst in Romans 3:25 it is ascribed to His justice.. It puts me in mind of Psalms 85:10.
It is in Christ that we escape the wrath to come. This wrath is the "Second Death" at Judgment. I believe it is appointed to man once to die and then the Judgment.
I view Christ as the Propitiation for sins along the same lines as Christ presenting Himself as a guilt offering.