Definite Atonement

          The atonement of Christ is the sacrificial work of Jesus for sinners.
     In His death on the cross, Christ atoned for the sins of humanity such
     that God is satisfied and reconciliation is accomplished for all who will
     be redeemed (Theopedia).
         
         
                         "For if while we were enemies we were
                           reconciled to God by the death of His Son,
                           much more, now that we are reconciled,
                           shall we be saved by His life.  More than
                           that, we also rejoice in God through our
                           Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have
                           now received reconciliation."
                           Romans 5:10-11

          Jesus' death accomplished much more than just making people saveable.
     His death actually saved His people and reconciled them to God the Father.


                          "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to
                            Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;  that is
                            in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not
                            counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us
                            the message of reconciliation."
                            "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His
                            appeal through us.  We implore you on behalf of Christ, be
                            reconciled to God."
                            "For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so
                             that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."
                            2 Corinthians 5:18-21

          John MacArthur's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 5:19

          "The word "world" should not be interpreted in any universalistic sense,
     which would say that everyone will be saved, or even potentially reconciled.
     "World" (the word "world" has many different meanings in the New Testa-
     ment) here refers to the entire sphere of mankind or humanity, the category
     of beings to whom God offers reconciliation - people from every ethnic
     group, without distinction."

          "The intrinsic merit of Christ's reconciling death is infinite and the offer
     is unlimited.  However, actual atonement was made only for those who be-
     lieve.  The rest of humanity will pay the price for their own sin in eternal
     hell."


          John MacArthur's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 5:21

          "God the Father, using the principle of imputation, treated Christ as if He
     were a sinner though He was not, and had Him die as a substitute to pay the
     penalty for the sins for those who believe in Him."  (Isaiah 53:4-6; Gal. 3:
     10-13; 1 Peter 2:24)

          "As Christ was not a sinner, but was treated as if He were, so believers,
     who have not yet been made righteous (until glorification) are treated as if
     they were righteous.  He bore their sins so that they could bear His righteous-
     ness.  God treated Him as if He committed believers' sins, and treats believers
     as if they did only the righteous deed of the sinless Son of God."

                                       
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          Though Christ's death is of infinite value and is sufficient to redeem every
     man (had this been God's intention), the true intention of Christ's death was
     to accomplish effectively the full salvation of His people, and His people only
     (a definite atonement).  Theopedia

          Obviously, only His people, the elect, are atoned for and reconciled with God,
     because unbelievers are still in their sins and Jesus has not atoned for them.

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          In the Old Testament, the high priest offered the sacrifice for his people who
     drew near to God, not for everyone in the world.  He didn't offer sacrifice for the
     Egyptians or the Assyrians - only for those of his people who were faithful to God.
     However, these sacrifices were only temporary and had to be performed over and
     over.
          On the other hand, Jesus offered Himself as the sacrifice for His people, and enters
     into the presence of the Father to provide intercession for those for whom He died.
          His sacrifice was once for all time and never needs to be repeated.

    
                                     "Since then we have a great high priest who
                                      has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the
                                      Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
                                      For we do not have a high priest who is unable
                                      to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one
                                      who  in every respect has been tempted as we
                                      are, yet without sin."
                                      Hebrews 5:14-15

          Jesus was the sacrifice and the high priest - the Offerer and the Offering for
     His people, and their mediator and intercessor with the Father.


          Jesus was the perfect sacrifice and saves completely through His death and
     resurrection.  He is the only High Priest we need.


                              "The former priests were many in number,
                                because they were prevented by death from
                                continuing in office, but He holds His priest-
                                hood permanently, because He continues
                                forever."
                                "Consequently, He is able to save to the
                                uttermost those who draw near to God
                                through Him,
                                since He always lives to make intercession
                                for them." 
                                Hebrews 7:23-25

          Sacrifice is no longer needed to satisfy God the Father's wrath.

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          James White comments on definite atonement:

                    "I believe Jesus saves everyone for whom He dies and He intercedes
          for them.  Who do you think Jesus intercedes for today?"

                      "In the old testament, the high priest offered the sacrifice.  He had to
          present the blood of the sacrifice in the Holy Place, and everyone for whom
          he offered the sacrifice, was those for whom he interceded."

                       "Jesus is interceding today in heaven in the presence of the Father
          specifically for those He's going to save.  Do you really think He's interced-
          ing for those who will spend eternity in hell, and failing in His intercession?"

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          Tom Ascol comments on definite atonement:

                        "Jesus actually redeemed everyone He intended to redeem when He
          shed His blood on the cross.
                        "Just as the high priest under the old covenant wore the names of the
          twelve tribes of Israel on his breastplate when he performed his sacrificial
         service, so our Great High Priest (Jesus), under the new covenant, had the names
         of His people inscribed on His heart as He offered up Himself as a sacrifice for
         their sins."


                        "He Himself, bore our (His people) sins in His
                          body on the tree, that we might die to sin and
                          live to righteousness."
                          1 Peter 2:24a