Of course, there will be many who like to refute that in favor of their free will Arminianism. In fact, they may even say that limited atonement is not a doctrine that should be taught, if it is even a doctrine. And many a so-called 4-point Calvinist has opted out on that one point, which makes them Arminian, not Calvinist. Words are important and even some so-called Calvinists preachers will use language from the pulpit that could give the listeners the interpretation that Jesus Christ did, in fact, shed His blood for every single human that has lived, is alive, or will live and He is waiting on them to make a decision – so “put your trust in Jesus now!”
Limited atonement properly defined says that Jesus Christ shed His blood for the elect only. Another term could be particular redemption. In other others, He shed his blood for a particular group of people, i.e. the elect of God, both Jews and Gentiles. The argument for the Calvinist side is why would Jesus Christ shed His blood for someone who died and was cast into a future eternal fire? That is a legitimate argument. The argument for the Arminian side is, of course, the false teaching of free will. That is not a legitimate argument. But what does the Bible say?
Scripture is full of supportive verses that validate limited atonement without saying limited atonement. Of course, the Bible also says plenty about the Trinity without mentioning the Trinity. Since the purpose of these blogs is to bring short, quick read articles, only a few non-contradictory and supportive verses will be cited.
Isaiah 53:5 says, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Notice the words that show a limited, specific number of people. It says, “our, we.” It does not say everyone. Verse 11 says, “…by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.” It says, “many, their.” Again, it does not say everyone.
Matthew 1:21 says, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Again, notice the limitation. It says, “his, their.” Not everyone.
John 3:3 says, “…Except a man be born again…” Verse 7 says, “…Ye must be born again.” Jesus specifically says that a man must be “born again.” This is not saying that a man must go out and get born again of himself. Read John 3:8.
John 3:8 says, “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and wither it goeth: so is everyone that is born of the Spirit.” It is very clear how one is born again. It is not of our own doing, but the Spirit as He so chooses. This is limited in scope, i.e. for whom God chooses. Man cannot “rebirth” himself.
John 6:37 says, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” “All that the Father giveth me shall come…” Does the Father give everyone? And if He gives someone, do they not come to Jesus? If someone does not come to Jesus Christ, is it because of their decision or their lack of natural desire to not come?
John 6:44 says, “No man can come to me except the Father which hath sent him…” Coming to Jesus Christ is the limited, regenerative work of the Holy Spirit and again, the Father has to send them. It is not their decision but the changing of their will by God.
John 10:15 says, “…I lay down my life for the sheep.” People are either sheep or goats. A sheep never becomes a goat, and a goat never becomes a sheep. Jesus Christ laid His life down for the sheep, not the goats. This, too, is particular redemption for a specific group, i.e., the elect. In contrast, John 10:26 says, “…ye are not of my sheep…”
John 10:16 says, “…other sheep I have which are not of this fold…” “Other”, 243, allos, meaning others of the same kind. Not every sheep had been saved at that time. Jesus Christ is saying that there are lost sheep that need to be found, i.e. saved. Again, not goats who are not of the fold, but sheep.
Romans 5:8 says, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” “Us and we”, not everyone. And it began with God.
Romans 8:32, 33 says, “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.” “Us all, us, God’s elect” specific and particular, not universal. Jesus was not delivered to be the propitiation for the sins of every single person. Scripture is clear.
It is clear that God chose whom would to be saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8, 9). It is man’s hope for some, but it is God’s choice. To say that Jesus Christ shed His blood for everyone questions the efficacy of it. And the Bible is clear that His blood was efficacious for the elect only.
Limited atonement does not dangle by itself. It is connected to total depravity, unconditional election, irresistible grace, and the perseverance or security of the saints. None of the points are independent. And the Blood shed at Calvary was limited in its atonement for all of the sheep only.
