The Atonement

          The following is from an article by Tom Ascol, in Tabletalk magazine.

          "He (Jesus) is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also
     for the sins of the whole world."   1 John 2:2

          If the word "world" means each and every person who ever lived or will live,"
     then everyone will be saved because of the objective nature of propitiation (pla-
     cating, appeasing, or satisfying the wrath of God) by the atoning sacrifice of Christ.
     No sin would be left unpaid for - including the sin of unbelief.

          Unless the Bible teaches Universalism (that everyone will ultimately be saved),
     and it certainly doesn't, then the word "world" cannot mean everyone who ever
     lived or will live.  John is not teaching Universalism here.

          John is asserting that Jesus is the only Savior the world has .  His death redeems
     people not just from among the Jews or Americans or from any one group, but
     from among the whole world.

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          Reformed Theology:
          The death of Jesus saves everyone for whom it was designed.  Therefore, the
     atonement is viewed as limited in its scope and purpose.  All for whom Christ died,
     His people, will be saved.


          Arminianism:
          The death of Jesus was designed to save each and every person in history (without
     actually doing so).

          As such, the atonement did not save everyone for whom it was intended.  In other
     words, the Arminian view, while claiming that the atonement is unlimited in it extent,
     is forced to conclude that it is limited in its efficacy.  It failed to accomplish its uni-
     versal purpose.

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          Covenant of Redemption (Reformed view):
          Before history began, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit pledged to bring about the
     salvation of fallen people.  Out of sheer mercy and grace, the Father chose individual
     people to be saved.

          "For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless
     in His sight.  In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in
     accordance with His pleasure and will - to the praise of His glorious grace, which He
     has freely given us in the One He loves."  Ephesians 1:4-6


         "But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because
     from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the
     Spirit and through belief in the truth."  2 Thessalonians 2:13


          The Father gave those chosen ones to His Son.
                              "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to
    me I will never drive away."  John 6:37

                              "And this is the will of Him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all
    that He has given me, but raise them up at the last day."  John 6:39


          The Son committed to accomplish their salvation through His incarnate redemptive
    mission.
                             "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and
    to give His life as a ransom for many."  Mark 10:45

                             "I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down His life for the
     sheep."  John 10:11


          In keeping with this divine agenda, the Spirit is sent into the world by the Father and
     the Son.

                            "(Jesus said), When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from
     the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, He will testify about me."
     John 15:26

          The Holy Spirit applies the work of Christ to those whom the Father gave the Son
     and for whom the Son died.

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          This view of the atonement guarantees the success of evangelism.  God has a people
     who will be saved infallibly through the preaching of the Gospel.

          1. The Father has chosen them.
          2. The Son has died for them.
          3. And the Holy Spirit will regenerate them through the message of salvation.