Posted on 07/30/2002 12:18:38 AM PDT by fortheDeclaration
UNLIMITED ATONEMENT
1. Unlimited atonement is a theological term which means that Jesus Christ died for the sins of the entire human race. 2 Cor. 5.14-15
A. One died: aorist active indicative - apothnäskö. The specific point of time when Jesus carried the sins of the whole world on the cross. (1 Pet.2.24)
B. for: huper - preposition of substitution - in the place of
C. all: reference to all of mankind in distinction from the ones who live through faith acceptance of his sacrifice on their behalf. v. 15
D. Thus, we must recognize this as a universal sin sacrifice.
2. The word atonement means covering and refers to the old testament animal sacrifices which provided a judicial covering for sin, but never provided absolute removal of the sins. Heb. 10.4
A. Salvation has always been through making a free will decision to trust God's promise concerning the person and work of the Messiah savior.
B. Salvation was taught and ceremonially demonstrated through the sacrificial system, but the sacrifices did not provide salvation.
C. However, the ritual sacrifices were necessary as the teaching aid looking forward to Christ. Heb. 9:11-14, 22
D. For the nation of Israel, the Day of Atonement provided a judicial covering of the nation's sins and therefore, acceptance of the nation by God under a theocratic system (God as king).
E. The ritual sacrifices also provided functional forgiveness because they anticipated the real sacrifice of the savior who would actually carry the sins of the world. Jn. 1:29
F. To make atonement was to provide a judicial covering for sins and the basis for functional forgiveness as the believer applied Pr. 28:13 in association with the sacrifice.
G. The word atonement is never used in the NT with reference to Christ's sacrifice for sin.
H. His sacrifice does not provide a universal "covering" for sin, but a universal payment for sin.
I. Therefore, the term "unlimited atonement" is a theological device which actually communicates a universal salvation provision available to all people on the same terms of trust in Christ. (whosoever believes ---)
J. A much better term incorporates the fact that a ransom or price for sins was indeed paid by the spiritual sacrifice of Christ on the cross.
3. Christ died for all - there are no exceptions.
A. Titus 2.11-God's grace provides salvation to all men (universal provision) B. Heb. 2.9 - Jesus tasted death for everyone (universal identification) C. 2 Pet. 2.1 - He even bought the ones who deny him. (universal payment) D. 1 Tim. 4.10 - He is the savior of all men (universal sacrifice) especially of believers (limited application based on faith). E. 1 Tim. 2:6 - who gave Himself as a ransom for all.
4. A univresal ransom means that Jesus Christ satisfied the character of the Godhead by paying the price demanded by Divine justice. Ie, propitiation.
A. 1 John 2.2 - He is the propitiation (satisfaction - hilasmos) for the sins of the whole world. (universal satisfaction)
B. Romans 3.25 - God displayed Christ publicly as a propitiation-hilastärion - place of satisfaction (mercy seat)
5. Since the sins of the whole world are paid for, and God's justice is satisfied, there results a universal offer of salvation to the entire human race. John 12:32; 3:16; Acts 17:30
A. But this does not mean that every person is automatically saved. B. One must accept Christ's work on his behalf by personal trust. Acts 16.31; 1 Tim. 4.10 C. So the issue in salvation is not sins (plural) but one sin. John 16.8-9 with 8.21-24 and 9.41.
The sin of unbelief is the only thing standing between God and each member of the human race. When that is "reversed" by trusting in Christ, all other sins are forgiven.
D. And the only "WORK" that is involved is the "work of God, that you believe on Him whom He sent." John 6:29.
E. Isaiah 53:6 - "the iniquity of us all" = a universal ransom. Isaiah 53:11 - "justify the many" = a limited justification based on faith, Romans 5:1
6. Furthermore, since Christ paid for the sins of the whole world, it is God's responsibility to make the information about this salvation available. This is called the "drawing" of God by which He convicts through the Holy Spirit that man needs to trust in Christ.
7. At the last judgment, the issue will be faith in Christ, not sins. Rv. 20:13-15
A. The book of works is opened in order to demonstrate man's need for salvation by showing both specific deeds of sin as well as deeds of human good.
B. The deeds of sin demonstrate the person's violation of God's standards. C. The deeds of human good demonstrate the inadequacy of man's righteousness to meet up to the standard of God's perfect righteousness.
D. If someone has failed to trust in Christ during his lifetime on earth, his name is blotted out of the book of life and he will spend eternity separated from the Godhead in the lake of fire. Heb. 9:27 - judgment.
What is unlimited about this verse?
Becky
God imposed his wrath due unto, and Christ underwent the pains of hell for,
1. either all the sins of all men,
2. or all the sins of some men,
3. or some sins of all men.
If the last, some sins of all men, then have all men some sins to answer for, and so shall no man be saved; for if God entered into judgment with us, though it were with all mankind for one sin, no flesh should be justified in his sight: “If the LORD should mark iniquities, who should stand?” Ps. cxxx. 2. We might all go to cast all that we have “to the moles and to the bats, to go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty,” Isa. ii. 20, 21.
If the Second, that is it which we affirm, that Christ in their stead and room Suffered for all the sins of all the elect in the world.
If the first, why then, are not all freed from the punishment of all their sins?
You will say, “Because of their unbelief; they will not believe.”
But this unbelief, is it a sin, or not?
If not, why should they be punished for it? If it be, then Christ underwent the punishment due to it, or not.
If so, then why must that hinder them more than their other sins for which he died from partaking of the fruit of his death?
If he did not, then did he not die for all their sins. Let them choose which part they will.
They are attempting to make the point that every Armininian & Calvinist believes in a limited atonement. According to their logic, everyone who says that it is an atonement effective only for believers is actually teaching a limited atonement. As you have pointed out, it is a rhetorical device.
There is a point to what they say, but it's impossible for me to just say, "Oh, OK, what's the difference" because there's a major point they ignore.
We believe "atonement sufficient for all, effective for believers only."
The above article adequately points out the "sufficient for all" side of the equation. (I wish the article had all the scripture written out rather than just cited, but I'll overlook that for the moment.)
Points 3&5 below point out what we mean by "sufficient for all." It means that ARMINIANS truly believe in an unlimited atonement. We also truly believe that it is effective ONLY for believers.
3. Christ died for all - there are no exceptions. A. Titus 2.11-God's grace provides salvation to all men (universal provision) B. Heb. 2.9 - Jesus tasted death for everyone (universal identification) C. 2 Pet. 2.1 - He even bought the ones who deny him. (universal payment) D. 1 Tim. 4.10 - He is the savior of all men (universal sacrifice) especially of believers (limited application based on faith). E. 1 Tim. 2:6 - who gave Himself as a ransom for all.
5. Since the sins of the whole world are paid for, and God's justice is satisfied, there results a universal offer of salvation to the entire human race. John 12:32; 3:16; Acts 17:30
IT IS NOT UNIVERSALISM, because the other side of the equation is JUST AS IMPORTANT. The atonement can only be appropriated by those who believe.
Amen! It is a free gift that must be taken by the individual for that individual to benefit from it.
That doesn't make the gift any less real!
If you have money in a bank account it does you no good unless you draw on it!
That doesn't mean the money isn't real!
See my post by Chafer.
Owen is assuming that the person is 'punished' for rejecting Christ.
He is not.
What he does is stand on his own righteousness at the Great White Throne judgement and hopes that his works will be enough to get him into heaven.
The issue is never whether man is bad enough to go to hell, but rather is he good enough to get to heaven!
For I say unto, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall no case enter into the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt.5:20)
Only the Righteousness of Christ imputed to the individual will get someone into heaven (covered in the blood of Christ).
If you reject that free gift, you stand on your own righteousness, which means you will always fall short.
No, a correct view of unlimited Atonement would acknowledge that sin has been paid for and one is not judged for his sins at the Great White Throne judgement, but is judged on his good works to see if he 'rates' heaven.
Rejecting the righteousnes of Christ leads one to stand on ones own righteousness which is a fatal and tragic mistake.
Good summation of the various views.
'......................and God's justice is satisfied,...............'
THIS "is" what separates, Arminians,....FROM,.....ARMINIANS.
The real question is, the real/full/final EXTANT of "Satisfaction".
?????????????????Exactly,.....what "is" being,........NOT BEING,......said!...????????????????
Again, thanks for your postings!
6. Furthermore, since Christ paid for the sins of the whole world, it is God's responsibility to make the information about this salvation available. This is called the "drawing" of God by which He convicts through the Holy Spirit that man needs to trust in Christ.
7. At the last judgment, the issue will be faith in Christ, not sins. Rv. 20:13-15
A. The book of works is opened in order to demonstrate man's need for salvation by showing both specific deeds of sin as well as deeds of human good.
B. The deeds of sin demonstrate the person's violation of God's standards.
C. The deeds of human good demonstrate the inadequacy of man's righteousness to meet up to the standard of God's perfect righteousness.
D. If someone has failed to trust in Christ during his lifetime on earth, his name is blotted out of the book of life and he will spend eternity separated from the Godhead in the lake of fire. Heb. 9:27 - judgment.
(No, a correct view of unlimited Atonement would acknowledge that sin has been paid for and one is not judged for his sins at the Great White Throne judgement, but is judged on his good works to see if he 'rates' heaven.)
(Rejecting the righteousnes of Christ leads one to stand on ones own righteousness which is a fatal and tragic mistake.)
Point well taken!
Thanks again!
m
Maranatha!
'Rejecting the righteousnes of Christ leads one to stand on ones own righteousness which is a fatal and tragic mistake.'
BTTT
Maranatha!
5762/2002
BTTT
BTTT
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