Limited Atonement

I will now to the best of my ability explain the doctrine of Limited atonement:

Before we dive into this study it is very important to note that there are 4 point Calvinists, and this issue in no way affects your salvation.  Having said this I will now dive into this complicated issue.  I believe the best way to start is by examining Scriptural arguments for both sides of the issue.  I will start with those for unlimited atonement.  1 John 2:2 states: “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” John 4:4 says “He is the savior of the whole world.” John 1:29 says He: “takes away the sins of the world.” 2^nd Cor. 5:14-15 says: “He died for all.”  They argue that Christ died for all, but only the elect receive His sacrifice.  Let me make myself clear; Christ death has the power to atone for all sins, and he could save all people, but he doesn’t.  When we look at the verses above they never say that Christ died for all humans, but rather they say that He died for “the world” or all.  These statements are very general, and we must always remember that when interpreting Scripture context is king.  This means that verses must be taken in the context of the chapter the book and the whole Bible.  The Bible does not and cannot contradict itself.  Having said that take into consideration these verses.  In Luke 2:1 it is recorded that a “decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered” and Luke 2:3 says “So all went to be registered everyone to his own city.” But clearly that it is not talking about every individual in the whole world. Caesar’s decree did not apply to the Japanese, Chinese or countless other people throughout the world.  Similarly, the Pharisees, being dismayed at Jesus’ growing popularity said, “Look how the whole world has gone after Him!” Did every single person in the world follow Jesus? Or was the “world” limited to a small area of Palestine in which Jesus preached?

 So it should be readily apparent that the phrase “all” or “all the world” does not necessarily mean every individual. Understanding that basic fact allows one to consider each of these seemingly universal passages in their context and when that is done it becomes very apparent that they do not present any conflict with the doctrine of limited atonement.  Also the Greek word for world is kosmos which is often used to talk about a specific body of believers.  In addition to this it must be understood that the tenses used in verses like 1 John 2:2 are the same as in John 11:51-52, and it should be understood that the “world” refers to the elect scattered across the globe.

Next I will show you some verses that will show you examples of limited atonement.  Matthew 2:1 says: “He came to die for the sins of His people.” John 10:15 says: “He lays down His life for His sheep” One of the greatest passages on the atonement in the Old Testament is Isaiah 53. In this passage alone we see that He was “stricken for the transgression of God’s people” (Isaiah 53:8); that He would “justify many” because “He shall bear their iniquities” (Isaiah 53:11); and that He indeed “bore the sin of many” (Isaiah 53:12).

 Finally we must understand the very nature of Christ’s death on the cross.  Christ died for this reason; to take on all of our sin and to atone for it, so that we might be justified before God.  With the death of Christ on the cross we are forgiven for all sin and seen as blameless in the sight of God, granting us access into heaven.  If Christ did indeed die for everyone, then the sins of everyone are forgiven, and everyone is justified before the sight of God.  If this is not true than Christ death is not truly an all atoning sacrifice.  As far as the argument that His death atones for everyone, but only the elect with accept it, I have this answer.  If someone doesn’t believe is his unbelief sin? Well of course it is, because he is denying the divine nature of God and in turn bowing down to a false idol.  But isn’t that sin covered by Christ’s death?  Just as believers many sins are?  The answer is yes and that would mean all men are saved and all men go to heaven.  This is obviously heresy and proves the doctrine of unlimited atonement false.  In the words of A.W Pink “Not one for whom He died can possibly miss heaven.” He [Christ] did not ‘pay the penalty of sin’ for those who reject Him, because if He did then they would not have to pay it themselves in hell.  Also if Christ died for all the world, but only the elect benefit, that means that Christ’s atonement did not redeem anyone and is merely a powerless opportunity for men to be saved.  The fact is that if Christ died for all men and propitiated their sins, then all men would be saved because propitiated sin cannot be punished. Also in a certain sense Christ did die for all men.  Even the unsaved can enjoy the sunset and the ocean, we call this common grace.  It is only because of common grace that God doesn’t kill the heathen each time he sins.  God would have every right to kill the sinner, but Christ’s death atones for their earthly life.

In conclusion the death of Christ on the cross is more than enough to atone for every sin in every person, but it does not.Christ died for His elect, which shows His omniscient in choosing His elect in eternity past.This does not change His love for the whole world, but only His atoning sacrifice.I believe I have showed that it is not the Calvinist but rather the Arminian who limits the atonement, by taking away the sovereignty and purpose of Christ’s atonement.

We can conclude this section with the following summary argument. Which of these statements is true?

1. Christ died for some of the sins of all men.

2. Christ died for all the sins of some men.

3. Christ died for all the sins of all men.

No one says that the first is true, for then all would be lost because of the sins that Christ did not die for. The only way to be saved from sin is for Christ to cover it with his blood.

The third statement is what the Arminians would say. Christ died for all the sins of all men. But then why are not all saved? They answer, Because some do not believe. But is this unbelief not one of the sins for which Christ died? If they say yes, then why is it not covered by the blood of Jesus and all unbelievers saved? If they say no (unbelief is not a sin that Christ has died for) then they must say that men can be saved without having all their sins atoned for by Jesus, or they must join us in affirming statement number two: Christ died for all the sins of some men. That is, he died for the unbelief of the elect so that God's punitive wrath is appeased toward them and his grace is free to draw them irresistibly out of darkness into his marvelous light.