For Whom Did Christ Die?

Posted by on Jan 25, 2009 in Rev. Serven

If God wants to do something, he does it. The desire and decree of God are one and the same. God does all His holy will. Atonement=The reconciliation between God and man, brought about by Christ. The mediator=The one who restores peace. Christ actively gave his life for His people. Paul, appointed a herald of the gospel. Our responses: awe at the outworking of God’s redemption purposes, thanksgiving by giving our hearts to Christ, praise for His sovereign, holy, omnipotent desire and decree.

Text: 1 Timothy 2:5-7

This is a key question in theology that has oftentimes confused and separated evangelical Christians—for whom did Christ die? Three answers have been proposed by various Bible teachers over the centuries. These are,

(1) Christ died on the cross for all people, actually saving all of them (Universal Salvation or a Universalism)

(2) Christ died on the cross for all people, potentially saving those who freely believe in him by faith (Universal Redemption or a General Atonement)

(3) Christ died on the cross for all types of people, truly saving only his Elect (Particular Redemption or a Definite Atonement)

Problems abound with the first two proposals: For example, we know by experience that all people are not saved, because many go to their death rejecting the claims of Christ. Plus, the Bible clearly teaches that there will be a Judgment Day and that unbelievers will be sent to Hell. Secondly, if Jesus died on the cross for all people, potentially saving those who freely believe in him by faith, then salvation is ultimately accomplished by a human work rather than solely by the grace of God which is contrary to John 1:12-13; Rom. 3:21-26; Eph. 2:8-10; and Titus 3:5-7. This logic, then, inexorably leads us to the third proposal which teaches that Jesus Christ died on the cross for all types of people. In other words, he died only for his Elect who can be found in every tribe, tongue, and nation. Our response should be one of awe, thanksgiving, and praise for our sovereign God!