Let us consider some Old Testament verses that help us find an answer to this excellent question. We read in Leviticus 1:9-10, “But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord. And if his offering be of the flocks, namely, of the sheep, or of the goats, for a burnt sacrifice; he shall bring it a male without blemish.” In these verses sacrifice and offering are described as the same thing. The burnt offering is a type of Christ offering Himself to God as the holy sacrifice, delighting to do His Father’s will even to death, and accomplishing atonement for our sins.

In Leviticus 2 we read about the meat (meal or grain) offering. No blood is shed and so the word sacrifice is not found in chapter 2. We read in Leviticus 2:1, “Now when anyone presents a grain offering as an offering to the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour, and he shall pour oil on it and put frankincense on it” (NASB). The grain offering is a type of Christ’s perfect character and life that He lived in the power of the Holy Spirit. This offering does not speak of atonement because no blood is shed. “Without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22). “It is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul” (Leviticus 17:11).

Leviticus 3 teaches us about the peace offering. We read in Leviticus 3:1-2, “And if his oblation be a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offer it of the herd; whether it be a male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the Lord. And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering, and kill it at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron’s sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about.” In these verses sacrifice and offering are described as the same thing. The peace offering is a type of the fellowship that we have with God through Christ’s finished work on the cross. Christ “made peace” (Colossians 1:20), “preached peace” (Ephesians 2:17), and “is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14).

Concerning the sin offering, we read in Leviticus 4:33-34, “And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the sin offering, and slay it for a sin offering in the place where they kill the burnt offering. And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and shall pour out all the blood thereof at the bottom of the altar.” Even though blood is shed for the sin offering, the word sacrifice is not used in describing the sin offering. The sin offering is a type of Christ bearing “our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24), bearing all of the guilt that resulted from our sins, and making atonement for our sins.

The trespass offering is mentioned in Leviticus 7:2. “In the place where they kill the burnt offering shall they kill the trespass offering: and the blood thereof shall he sprinkle round about upon the altar.” Even though blood is shed for the trespass offering, the word sacrifice is not used in describing the trespass offering. The trespass offering has to do with God’s government and the injury which results from sin. It is a type of Christ restoring more to God than the wrong that man’s sin did to Him. Christ as the trespass offering is beautifully described in Isaiah 53:10-12.

Concerning the drink offering, we read in Numbers 28:7, “And the drink offering thereof shall be the fourth part of an hin for the one lamb: in the holy place shalt thou cause the strong wine to be poured unto the Lord for a drink offering.” No blood is shed and so the word sacrifice is not used in describing the drink offering. The drink offering is a type of joy in the Spirit as the value of Christ’s work done for God’s glory is contemplated.

There are other offerings mentioned in the Old Testament. However, enough has been shared from the Scriptures to learn the answer to the question. In summary, a sacrifice involves blood being shed. An offering is a broader term and may or may not involve blood being shed. A sacrifice is an offering, but an offering may or may not be a sacrifice.

There is much in the New Testament about sacrifices and offerings, but I will only mention two verses. We read in Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Since Christ’s sacrifice on the cross has accomplished atonement for our sins, our blood is not required as a sacrifice for our sins. He wants us to be a living sacrifice to offer our lives to be used for His purposes and glory.  (431.5)  (DJ)