Limited Atonement (YouTube)

Introduction

Thanks for tuning in to my 5 points of Calvinism series.

In the last video, we spoke on the point of uncondtional election and today we move onto the L, which stands for “Limited Atonement”

Many believe, including myself, that the term “Limited Atonement” doesn’t do justice to what the doctrine actually stands for, so I am a believer that “Definite Atonement” or “Particular Redemption” actually describes this better.

The reason I say this is because the doctrine of “Limited Atonement” teaches that Christ purchased at the cross the salvation of those who had been elected by the father

It is easy to be confused when hearing the word limited.

Did Christ die for a limited amount of people or a limited amount of their sins?

We know that Christ died for all the sins of elect who were chosen by the father

The definite atonement term does justice by saying that Christs atonement was definite for the people he died for, Christs work on the cross was to redeem a particular people, the elect

The opposite of Limited Atonement is universal atonement, meaning that Christ died to save everybody so that noone is going to hell

The Armininan doesn’t agree with the the unlimited atonement although I find the logical conclusion of their system leading there

The Arminian believe the Christ died for every single person on the cross, making salvation possible for everybody based on whether they will believe or not

Todays video will show how the Arminian view misses the mark on the great topic of atonement and how the Calvinist view is what is taught in the Scriptures

Before we get started, I first want to mention that I only plan on these videos being about 10 minutes so heavy exegesis of many different passages will not happen here

I do believe that were the task of deeper exegesis to be taken on the passages mentioned, the conclusions I have came to would be what was reached

For Limited Atonement

Starting in the Old Testament in Isaiah 53:8, we see:

8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away;

and as for his generation, who considered

that he was cut off out of the land of the living,

stricken for the transgression of my people?

In this prophecy, Isaiah is speaking of the coming Christ.

The coming Christ was stricken for the transgression of my people.

We see that he is here talking about Gods people.

This passage shows us a limited atonement, limited to the people of God

As we continue to the New Testament, we see the same harmony.

Matthew 1:21 tells us,

21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

In the Old Testament the prophecy speaks of Jesus being stricken for the people of God, in the New Testament we see Jesus saving his people (the people of God) from their sins.

So far it seems pretty clear who Jesus died for.

We also see that Jesus wont just make it possible for this group of people to be saved but he will actually save them from their sins

In John 10, Jesus speaks of being the good shepherd.

This chapter is clear in multiple places that there is a group of people called “his sheep” that were given to him by the father

What does the good shepherd do?

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

The language from these verses is clear that Jesus came to redeem a certain group of people.

There are a group of people out here who are saying to theirselves right now, what about all of those verses that say Jesus died for the whole world or died for all, does that contradict what you are saying?

That does not in the least contradict the doctrine of limited atonement and I will show you why

John 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

This passage does not teach that Jesus takes away the sin of every single person in the world, which is what some who are watching this video may be inclined to believe.

Before Jesus came into the world born of a virgin, the grace of God was shown specifically to the people of Israel through Covenants

Christ, being the fulfillment of the Old Testament covenants has now extended his grace to not only Israel, but throughout the whole world

If Christ took away the sin of every single person in the world, we would be forced with the Universal Atonement because there would be no longer any sin to be condemned for

What about 1 Timothy 2:5?

5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

The question of all is answered right in the same chapter in verses 1 & 2

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

The all here is clearly talking about different types of people but not every single person

This final passage I would like to show not only addresses the people group question but also whether redemption was only made possible or actually accomplished.

Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are you to take the scroll

and to open its seals,

for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God

from every tribe and language and people and nation,

10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,

and they shall reign on the earth.

His blood actually ransomed people.

Some translations actually say instead of ransomed, “purchased for God”

Jesus could not say on the cross that it was finished if it was only started and up to every single person to finish on their own

Finally, I am not sure if this argument has been addressed by any of the non- Calvinist people, and if they have please place a link in the comments or answer yourself in the commments

If we say that Christ died for every single person, what about the people who never hear the gospel and perish and go to hell?

If he died for them, can you say he made it possible for them to be saved even though they never had the chance to hear the gospel?

If you think that God is unfair for electing some people to be redeemed by the son and not others, would you say God is unfair for dying for everybody but never giving everybody the chance to hear the gospel?

It is clear to me the Calvinist interpretation of this doctrine is what is taught in Scripture.

The Father elects specific, the son redeems those people, and the Spirit applys salvation to those people

In the next video, we will be discussing how the Spirit applies this salvation to the to the elect, with Irresistable Grace.

For future videos after this 5 points of Calvinism series, I am planning on going into Eschatology, so be on the lookout for that.

I am Corey Ramsey and see you next time!