And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2When the Apostle John wrote this, Christ had now died, resurrected, and ascended into heaven. We see something else here: Jesus provided a propitiation for the sins, not just of believers, but for the sins of the whole world. Does that mean that everyone receives that propitiation? No. In Romans 3:25 we saw that God only remitted the sin of those with faith in His blood.[1]
Does it seem clear to you from 1 John 2:2 that Christ was a propitiation for everyone, including unbelievers? And in light of Romans 3:25 that He satisfied His Father's righteous demands for everyone who ever lived? That seems like the plain reading of Scripture to me. And then I read these:
Jesus died for the ungodly.
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6Jesus died for all.
Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 1 Timothy 2:6 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 1 Timothy 4:10Jesus died for the unbeliever, the apostate, the one who has permanently turned away from Him.
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them. 2 Peter 2:1Jesus died for me.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20Jesus died for you. Will you believe in Him alone for your salvation?
[1] "Remission" in Rom. 3:25, the word paresis, means "a passing over" or "overlooking." It hearkens back to the Passover in Exodus when the death angel passed over the home with the sacrificial blood of the lamb on the doorposts. God passes over those with faith in the blood of Christ.
Thank you, Brother Kent, for this series of articles. It reminded me of something I had written years before in the front of a New Testament I have:
ReplyDeleteFor Whom Did Christ Die?
1. For All (1 Timothy 2:6; Isaiah 53:6)
2. For Every Man (Hebrews 2:9; 1 Timothy 4:10)
3. For The World (John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:19)
4. For The Sins Of The Whole World (1 John 2:2)
5. For The Ungodly (Romans 5:6)
6. For False Teachers (2 Peter 2:1)
7. For Many (Matthew 20:28)
8. For Israel (John 11:50-51)
9. For The Church (Ephesians 5:25
10. For Me (Galatians 2:20)
The next time a Calvinist comes by and tries to tell us Jesus only died for some or that He only died for those who would receive Him, here is Biblical proof that He died for all - therefore salvation is available to all who will repent and turn to Him for salvation.
So much for "limited atonement!"
ReplyDeleteI read a book by a Calvinst who said something like this, "when witnessing NEVER tell the person Christ died for them, becasue you dont know if he did."
I am not kidding. I read the book myself. I can not remember the name of the book. The book belongs to another missionary on the island just south of me. When I get to the "L" on my blog. I will get this book and quote from this guy.