~Samual Telloyen ~ Because ones view of a doctrine must come from the Scriptures, it will be necessary in this section to present only the Scriptures which seem to present unlimited atonement. Isaiah 53:6. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Unquestionably the first all in this verse is an unqualified all. All have gone astray, elect and non-elect, Israel and Gentile. All have turned to their own way and all are lost in sin. There is another important all in this verse, the last word of the verse. The verse is not stating that all will be saved, but rather that all are lost and that Christ has paid the penalty for every sinner, elect and non-elect alike. Jenkyn stated, No passage of Scripture can be adduced which limits the atonement to the sins of the elect. Whenever the death of Christ is mentioned in connection with sin, it is always with sin universally and as a whole. 1 John 2:1, 2. Beyond question the Apostle John was writing to Christians when he stated, My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not, And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. The elect people of God are encouraged not to sin, but if they would sin Jesus Christ is an advocate at Gods right hand to plead His blood in their behalf. The apostle continues by stating that the blood of Christ was not only shed for the elect but for the sins of the whole world. This strongly asserts not unlimited salvation, but unlimited atonement. This Scripture as read from the view of the limited atonement advocates would be ridiculous. It would be something to this effect: He is the propitiation for our (the elect) sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of those who comprise the world of elect people. In fact, even Calvin in his later days wrote in regard to I John 2:2 as follows: Christ suffered for the sins of the whole world, and in the goodness of God is offered unto all men without distinction, His blood being shed not for a part of the world only, but for the whole human race; for although in the world nothing is found worthy of the favor of God, yet He holds out the propitiation to the whole world, since without exception He summons all to the faith of Christ, which is nothing else than the door unto hope. 2 Peter 2:1. But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction. The false prophets in this verse are unsaved, for they are headed for destruction. Peter under the Holy Spirit says that even though they are unsaved Christ died for them. Lenski stated, Here we have an adequate answer to Calvins limited atonement: The Sovereign, Christ, bought with His blood not only the elect but also those who go to perdition. Jenkyn-stated: So the atonement of Christ is adapted, and therefore designed, to save man from sin, though the event in numerous instances may be otherwise. Some will not come unto Him that they might have life; they will not have Him to rule over them; they neglect their great salvation; they tread under foot the blood wherewith they were atoned, and they deny and reject the Lord that bought them. Romans 10:13; Revelation 22:17. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come, And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely. The word whosoever is used at least 110 times in the New Testament and always with the unrestricted meaning. I Timothy 4:10. For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe. This verse seems to be quite clear in teaching that in its sufficiency the atonement of Christ is universal; that is, provision is made for all mankind; not one is excluded. But in its efficiency the atonement is limited; that is, actual provision is made only for those who accept Gods offer of salvation through Christ Both aspects, the atonement for all, the salvation of the elect, are present in I Timothy 4:10. To read this verse from the standpoint of the limited atonement would make it appear ridiculous. The effect would be: For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God who is the Savior of the elect, specially of those that be elect. Robert G. Farley gives an illustration which can be applied here: The prospective mother prepares a complete and beautiful outfit for her expected child. But the child is still-born. Yet the outfit was prepared just the same as if it had lived. And Christs work is completed as much for one man as for another, as much for the unbeliever as for the believer. In conclusion it must be said concerning the view of the limited atonement that many of the arguments for it are arguments from reason rather than from the Scripture. Rationally considered, the view sounds plausible; however, doctrine is not based on reason but upon Scripture. The verses cited by the limited atonement advocates are not exclusive. The verses speak of salvation for the elect, but these verses are only a part of the whole picture. Some of the limited verses do not even deal with the atonement (such as John 17:9). In order to hold to the limited view, one has to re-interpret the plain meaning of Scripture. Conclusion Concerning the unlimited view of the atonement, upon close examination of the proof texts, this view is the plain teaching of Scripture. The unlimited atonement is consistent with all the other theology of the Bible. The unlimited view is in perfect harmony with the grace and justice of God. The infinite sacrifice of Christ is infinite in value, and therefore, has no limit. The unlimited view of the atonement is a much greater incentive to soul winning than the limited view.
Posted on: Tue, 19 Nov 2013 21:31:16 +0000