What word describes Jesus' sacrifice restoring our relationship with God?

• A. Atonement
• B. Reconciliation
• C. Forgiveness
• D. Expiation

Answer: (A)

Atonement captures the act by which Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection deal with sin so humanity can be brought back into a right standing with God. It describes the process that makes reconciliation with God possible—the removal of the barrier caused by sin and the restoration of relationship. While reconciliation is the result—the restored relationship itself—atonement is the actual event that makes that return possible. Forgiveness involves pardoning sin, which is part of what happens, but it’s the outcome rather than the whole act. Expiation refers to cleansing or removing guilt, a component of the broader process, but does not name the full act of making amends through Jesus’ sacrifice.