Is it necessary to quarrel about the Atonement--that is, its extent, purpose, or design? Some of the problems are due to mere semantics and definitions. Some very conservative Calvinist theologians consider this a litmus test of orthodoxy. Today we have what is called four-point Calvinists. They do not adhere to or affirm the L of the acrostic TULIP, I mean the doctrine of the limited atonement or particular or definite redemption. They do not like to be called Arminians, who were declared heretics at the Synod of Dort in 1618. Their formulation was that the Atonement is sufficient for all but efficient for some. They believe that Christ died for Judas' sins.
One has to realize that we contribute nothing to our salvation. God quickens faith within us and thus faith is a gift. It is not a meritorious work as Rome believes. Salvation is either of God, of God and man, or of man. Jonah 2:9 says, "Salvation is of the Lord." Remember that Jesus said, "It is finished."
He was not making salvation possible for all, but assured for the sheep, for whom He laid down His life. I've heard it said that Christ died for all indiscriminately, but we have to receive it. If Christ was punished for Judas' sins, then why should he suffer in hell? Arminians believe the Atonement made salvation possible for all, but certain for none. It makes it both indefinite and unlimited. In what way does the Atonement avail for the non-elect?
Salvation is for everyone in the sense that if they believe they are saved--but God decides who believes. We believe because of our election; we are not elected because we believe. Acts 13:48 says, "As many as had been appointed to eternal life believed." N.B. that the appointment or election came first (c.f. 2 Thess. 2:13). Is. 53:12 says, "...He bore the sin of many..." (note that it could have said "all" but named the sub-set).
It is not necessary to understand the Atonement to be saved. We are not saved by our theory of the Atonement either. We must pray as if everything depends on God, and witness as if everything depends on us. We should not let our doctrine hinder our witness--keep it simple. Some doctrine is not meant for babies in Christ. May we get our "meat in due season."
Logic will make it clear that Christ laid down His life for His "friends." He only prayed for believers in His great intercessory prayer in John 17:9: "I pray for them, I pray not for the world." God knows ahead of time who will believe. There is a legal principle of double jeopardy. God predestines the salvation of His elect. Universal atonement leads to a conclusion of Universalism (redemption and salvation for all). 1 John 2:2 leads to this conclusion if we use that as a proof text--"And He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world." (Here the world refers to Jews and Gentiles included who believe, not everyone indiscriminately.)
Atonement means reconciliation. All are not saved or reconciled, ergo the Atonement has to be definite or limited to the elect. It is good news that no one who believes will be left out. The Arminian makes possible the salvation of all, but certain for none--it could've been that no one got saved! Au contraire, Jesus said, "It is finished." The plea is that Jesus died to offer you salvation contingent upon faith. NB: We are not saved by our theory or view of the atonement! Let me finish with stating that we are never saved by our theory of the atonement, and it is the immature believer who balks at learning the things of God in depth. Soli Deo Gloria!
One has to realize that we contribute nothing to our salvation. God quickens faith within us and thus faith is a gift. It is not a meritorious work as Rome believes. Salvation is either of God, of God and man, or of man. Jonah 2:9 says, "Salvation is of the Lord." Remember that Jesus said, "It is finished."
He was not making salvation possible for all, but assured for the sheep, for whom He laid down His life. I've heard it said that Christ died for all indiscriminately, but we have to receive it. If Christ was punished for Judas' sins, then why should he suffer in hell? Arminians believe the Atonement made salvation possible for all, but certain for none. It makes it both indefinite and unlimited. In what way does the Atonement avail for the non-elect?
Salvation is for everyone in the sense that if they believe they are saved--but God decides who believes. We believe because of our election; we are not elected because we believe. Acts 13:48 says, "As many as had been appointed to eternal life believed." N.B. that the appointment or election came first (c.f. 2 Thess. 2:13). Is. 53:12 says, "...He bore the sin of many..." (note that it could have said "all" but named the sub-set).
It is not necessary to understand the Atonement to be saved. We are not saved by our theory of the Atonement either. We must pray as if everything depends on God, and witness as if everything depends on us. We should not let our doctrine hinder our witness--keep it simple. Some doctrine is not meant for babies in Christ. May we get our "meat in due season."
Logic will make it clear that Christ laid down His life for His "friends." He only prayed for believers in His great intercessory prayer in John 17:9: "I pray for them, I pray not for the world." God knows ahead of time who will believe. There is a legal principle of double jeopardy. God predestines the salvation of His elect. Universal atonement leads to a conclusion of Universalism (redemption and salvation for all). 1 John 2:2 leads to this conclusion if we use that as a proof text--"And He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world." (Here the world refers to Jews and Gentiles included who believe, not everyone indiscriminately.)
Atonement means reconciliation. All are not saved or reconciled, ergo the Atonement has to be definite or limited to the elect. It is good news that no one who believes will be left out. The Arminian makes possible the salvation of all, but certain for none--it could've been that no one got saved! Au contraire, Jesus said, "It is finished." The plea is that Jesus died to offer you salvation contingent upon faith. NB: We are not saved by our theory or view of the atonement! Let me finish with stating that we are never saved by our theory of the atonement, and it is the immature believer who balks at learning the things of God in depth. Soli Deo Gloria!