Beth-El Baptist Church

06/10/2012

Greg Tomlinson


For whom did Christ die?


The issue of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, its purpose, its extent, and its effectiveness is hotly debated today. This question is tied to the Calvinistic doctrine of “Limited Atonement” which describes that Christ died ONLY for the elect. In order to understand the doctrine of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we will evaluate it from a slightly different set of questions.


  1. What was the purpose of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ?

Matthew 1:21 Romans 5:8-12


The atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ was made in order to make to God, the necessary payment for sin so that man may escape the eternal judgment of God.


  1. What is the extent of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ?

1 John 2:2 Numbers 25:10-13

Ezekiel 18:4, 19-20 John 3:36

Hebrews 10:10; 26-28 Acts 4:12


The issue of the extent of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ can be further broken down into two components – the availability of the atonement and the applicability of the atonement. The availability speaks of how wide spread is the atoning sacrifice made available to all people. The scriptures describe the availability as extending to “the whole world”. In other words, atonement is available to every one but only through Jesus Christ. The applicability question has to do more with the group of people to whom the atonement was effective applied.


  1. What is the effectiveness of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ?

Romans 3:24-26 Leviticus 1:4; 4:20, 26

Hebrews 4:1-3


From an effectiveness point of view, the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ is ONLY effective for those who believe. The atonement may be available to all but it is worthless for those who have no faith in Jesus Christ.


  1. What are some ramifications of a universal application of the atonement?

Matthew 10:32-33; 25:46 1 Corinthians 15:32

Romans 4:23-25


If the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ is universally applied to all people, then it would mean that the sins of all people are forgiven. Care has to be taken though that just because sins are forgiven does NOT mean that salvation has also been given. The reality of eternal condemnation still applies. Christ died for the forgiveness of sin but being forgiven does not mean that the person is in a right relationship with God. It is through faith in Christ and His death, burial, AND resurrection on their behalf that He rose again for justification. Judgment still remains for those who refuse to believe in the completed work of Jesus Christ on the cross.


  1. What are some ramifications of a limited application of the atonement?

Numbers 15:24-29 Colossians 2:13-14


If the atonement was applied to just the elect, then it would imply that only the sins of the elect have been forgiven and the rest have no forgiveness. This would still mean that the elect, because the confess the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, have their sins forgiven and stand justified before God while the rest have neither forgiveness nor justification and are thus condemned for all eternal into the lake of fire.


  1. How does ones view of the atonement affect his interaction with others?

Colossians 1:12-15 1 Corinthians 2:2


None of knows whether or not another has received the gift of eternal lie or not. It does not actually matter since our call is to proclaim Christ and Christ crucified to all and let God determine the eternal destiny of the person.