239 – The Design of the Atonement

SEMESTER 3

239 – The Design of the Atonement

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

COURSE: SOTERIOLOGY III LESSON # 39
THE DESIGN OF THE ATONEMENT

INTRODUCTION:

1. In previous lessons we have described and discussed varying theories of atonement.
2. I have shown that there is little disagreement about the effect of atonement, i.e., who will ultimately be saved by it.
3. In this lesson I want to discuss particularly the design (purpose) of the atonement, and see if its effect equaled God’s purpose.
4. The question is really, “Did Christ actually save those for whom He died?”

I. WAS THERE A DESIGN? IF SO WHAT?

1. Most would answer, “God did not give His Son, without a purpose, He had a design”;
2. If so, What? And I answer, “There are essentially three possibilities.”;

i. He purposed to save everyone by Christ’s death. If so, hell testifies to the Creator’s greatest failure.
ii. He purposed to save certain individuals and did so. If this is so, Calvary was a great triumph.
iii. He did not purpose to save anyone particularly, but to make all men savable. If this is so, we must ask, “What is the factor which finally determines destiny, and who is to be credited with it?”

II. DESIGN OF OMNIPOTENCE WILL EQUAL EFFECT

1. I may fail in my purposes, but not so with God. What He purposed, He does. (Eph. 1:11; Isa. 14:24; Isa. 46:11; Isa. 46:10; Phil. 2:13)
2. The Bible is more than clear on this matter, God does perform all His purposes.
3. We can thus dismiss the idea that God purposed to save all and either failed or changed.

III. DID HE PURPOSE TO SAVE NO-ONE IN PAR­TICULAR?

1. To answer this I appeal to two things:

i. Scripture
ii. Unity in the Godhead

2. The first question is, “Did God the Father by any means choose certain individuals”; I answer by Eph. 1:4, 5; Jn. 6:37-44; Jn. 17:2; II Thes. 2:13.
3. Did the Spirit call anyone in particular? Again I appeal to scripture: Acts 9:3-6; Acts 16:14; Rom. 9:23, 24; I Cor. 1:23, 24. Dozens of other scriptures will prove this fact.
4. Did the Son then die for, or make a reconciliation to God for more or less than the Father had chosen, or more or less than the Spirit would effectually call?
5. The answer seems to be, No, there is perfect unity of purpose in the Godhead.

IV. THE LOGICAL AND BIBLICAL CONCLUSION

1. It must be that what God purposed, He did.
2. It must thus be that what He ultimately carries out, He eternally purposed.
3. The Father gave the Son some. (Jn. 6:37)

i. Not all–for they are only those who come to Him.
ii. Those given shall come–for the Spirit will bring them. (I Cor. 1:24)
iii. Those who come shall in no wise be cast out, for they are perfectly reconciled, by Christ’s death.
iv. He came to do the Father’s will. (Heb. 10:7)
v. What is that will? That Christ should by His shed blood give life to all the Father has given Him. (Jn. 6:37-39)