244 – Verses That Seem to Imply General Atonement

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

COURSE: SOTERIOLOGY III LESSON # 44

VERSES THAT SEEM TO IMPLY GENERAL ATONEMENT

INTRODUCTION:

1. There are comparatively few dissenters, as to the definite nature of the atonement, among serious and careful Bible students.
2. There are, however, many good men, and some who are essentially “Calvinistic” who hold to an indefinite atonement.
3. Moreover, they do so strictly on what they consider a foundation of scripture.
4. In this lesson we shall consider and explain some of those scriptures which, on the surface, seem to teach a general atonement, and try to explain their true meaning.

I. JOHN 3:16

AND I JOHN 2:2

1. It is asserted that the word world here means all mankind, thus teaching a general atonement. Answers:

i. If this love be applied to every individual in atonement it must also be applied to them, if to any, in total salvation. Notice Romans 8:32

.
ii. There would be no expression of God’s love “delivering Christ unto death” (Acts 2:23

), for sinners while knowing it was of no benefit to those persons.
iii. The equal and indiscriminate love of God, for all men, claimed by this interpretation is firmly denied by Rom. 9:13

, Rom. 9:17

, Ex. 17:14

, Deut. 18:3

, Ps. 5:5

, Rom. 9:22

.
iv. That the word world (cosmos) refers to all mankind without exception or discrimination is clearly disproved by such passages as Jn. 17:9

and I Jn. 2:15

.
v. Indeed, this same English word world (cosmos) is used to describe unbelievers as opposed to Christians in Jn. 7:7

; 12:31

; 14:17

; 15:18

,19

; 16:20

; 17:14

; I Cor. 4:9

; 11:32

; Eph. 2:2

; Heb. 11:7

; I Jn. 3:1

; 3:13

; 5:19

Conclusion: The interpretation of Jn. 3:16 and I Jn. 2:2 , that claims general atonement is totally arbitrary and unwarranted by scripture.

II. I TIMOTHY 2:6 AND TITUS 2:11

1. It is the contention of the general atonement teachers that the word all here must mean every single human being. Answers:
2. In the English language, the word all simply means the composite total of that which is included in a particular context or conversation.
3. That the word all in scripture does not always mean all men without exception, is obvious from the following usages:

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