The Atonement

Why did John the Baptist call Jesus "the Lamb of God"?

In this study, Dr. Toby Holt views the events surrounding Palm Sunday through the eyes of John the Baptist, who saw what others missed. As Israel searched for a spotless lamb for the Passover, the true "Lamb of God" was drawing near. Dr. Holt asks why John alone named Him so, and what it means that Jesus came to take away the sin of the world.

Central to the study is the difference between appeasement and atonement. Fallen men try to appease God by their own works, hoping to offset their sins; but no one is saved that way. Atonement is God's own provision — the Lamb He supplies, bearing sin in the sinner's place. Salvation comes not by what we offer God, but by the sacrifice God offers for us.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why is Jesus called the "Lamb of God"? Because, like the Passover lamb, He is the spotless sacrifice God Himself provides to bear away the sin of His people.

2. What is the difference between appeasement and atonement? Appeasement is man's attempt to pacify God by his own works; atonement is God's provision of a substitute who satisfies divine justice on our behalf.

3. Can we be saved by appeasing God? No. Salvation is never earned by our efforts; it is received through the atoning work of Christ, the Lamb of God.

"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, 'Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!'" — John 1:29 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, a Reformed seminary in Colorado Springs. He is known for clear, down-to-earth Bible teaching, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Listen and go deeper: This study is part of New Geneva Theological Seminary's teaching on systematic theology and the great doctrines of the Christian faith. Find more verse-by-verse teaching across the Bible at newgeneva.org. To support this teaching ministry, visit newgeneva.org/give.