The Extent of the Atonement as Seen in Christ's High Priestly Work

Recently, Dr. Stephen Wellum delivered the faculty address at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. His address was titled, “What does the Extent of the Atonement have to do with Baptist Ecclesiology: an Experience of Doing Theology,” and it can be heard HERE.

In the course of his address (to give a sampling of how Dr. Wellum developed his argument) Wellum considered six truths concerning the Old Testament high priest:

1. The high priest offered sacrifices for a particular, covenant people.

2. There was no division between the making of the sacrifice by the priest and the application of the benefits of that sacrifice (when the blood was applied to the altar, atonement was immediately made).

3. There was always a separation between God's people and the nations.

4. Under the Old Covenant the sacrifices were relatively efficacious, pointing to the need for an ultimate, ultimately effective sacrifice.

5. The high priest offers sacrifices and intercedes for those he represents.

6. The Old Testament priest defended God's house against those who would enter in an unprescribed way.

Dr. Wellum demonstrated the connection between the work of the typical Old Covenant high priest and the work of Jesus Christ as the antitypical high priest of the New Covenant.