243 – The Gospel and the Extent of the Atonement

SEMESTER 3

243 – The Gospel and the Extent of the Atonement

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

COURSE: SOTERIOLOGY III LESSON # 43
THE GOSPEL AND THE EXTENT OF THE ATONEMENT

Read II Cor. 5:13-21.

INTRODUCTION:

1. This passage furnishes good proof texts for those who believe in both definite and indefinite atonement.
2. Much controversy exists over the relationship of theories of atone­ment to the presentation of the gospel.
3. In this lesson I shall try to deal with the issues of controversy and the biblical relationship, (not to the gospel, but to the presentation of it).

I. OPINIONS RELATIVE TO THE INDEFINITE OR GENERAL THEORY

1. Some hold that the gospel invitation cannot go to all unless Christ died for all.
2. They rationalize that you cannot sincerely invite a sinner to Christ, unless you can say to him, “Christ died for you.”
3. They thus conclude that all believers in definite atonement must either decline a universal appeal, or make it insincerely.

II. OPINIONS RELATIVE TO THE DEFINITE OR LIMITED THEORY

1. This side, on the other hand, holds that the presentation of a general atonement denies the reality of an atonement.
2. They see it as presenting the death of Christ as being futile in more cases than it is successful.
3. They feel the effect upon the sinner will be wrong from at least three angles:

i. It poses the sinner as the effector or defeater of the atonement.
ii. It makes the purpose of God, in atonement, ineffective at least to some degree.
iii. It makes the atonement untrustworthy, except as it finds efficacy through a human act of faith.

4. They thus conclude that only when presented as a definite and particular work, can Christ’s substitution be the object of our faith.

III. SCRIPTURE MUST DIRECT US IN PREACHING

1. No one may rightly conclude that he needs to present the atonement more personally than scripture presents it.
2. Conversely, no one has the right to fear the clear and individual statement of any scripture.
3. If I fear to say, “He died for all” as in II Cor. 5:15, or “…God our Savior who will have all men to be saved…” I have sinned.
4. On the other hand, if I fear to say, “He giveth His life for the sheep” as in Jn. 10:11, or “I pray not for the world” as in Jn. 17:9, or “all that the father hath given me shall come” as in Jn. 6:37, again I have sinned.

IV. LET APOSTOLIC EXAMPLE SPEAK

If they stated it as a part of the gospel, we must. If they did not, we must not.

1. Apostolic statement concerning Christ’s death was:

i. He died for our sins according to the scriptures. (I Cor. 15:3)
ii. He died to save sinners of whom I am chief. (I Tim. 1:15)
iii. He is a propitiation for … sin of the whole world. (I Jn. 2:2)
iv. He was in Christ reconciling the world. (II Cor. 5:19)

2. Conversely, their statement was never:

i. To any individual “Christ died for you.”
ii. “Christ took care of your sin debt, the rest is up to you.”
iii. “On the cross Christ did all He could for you.”

V. WHAT MUST THE SINNER KNOW ABOUT CHRIST’S DEATH?

1. He gave Himself for sinners and only for sinners. (Sinners can understand this and apply it to themselves.) (Luke 19:10)
2. He is a willing and sufficient Savior. (Heb. 7:25, Jn. 6:37)
3. All who desire Him (The Water of Life) are invited to take freely. (Rev. 22:17)
4. All who come to Christ are eternally washed and forever safe. (Jn. 6:37-45)