Reconciliation / Atonement / Propitiation

The restoring of a relationship. Reconciliation first occurs with God by regeneration and then by the person by conversion. Just as when a relationship between two people is destroyed, the relationship that once existed cannot be restored unless both parties are able to find peace with the other party. God establishes this peace with His children through regeneration. The child then must also establish this peace with God by conversion before the relationship is fully established. The death of Christ was the payment for the penalty required of God to excuse His children from that which destroyed the relationship.