Here are several reasons why I hold that unlimited atonement is true and limited atonement is unscriptural:
- It's a sin not to believe in Christ and unbelievers are held to account for not believing in Him, therefore it follows that Christ is also their Saviour who died for them as well, otherwise they would have no reason to believe in Him and wouldn't be required to do so. (Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. John 3:18, ESV)
- If limited atonement was true and all those who have had their sins atoned for are saved then being righteous would depend upon whether Christ had atoned for your sins or not, and not on your faith. However Scripture teaches that being righteous depends upon your faith. (and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith Philippians 3:9, ESV)
- The Gospel is the message to each and every person that if they believe in Christ they'll be saved, so therefore He must have atoned for everyone's sins otherwise this Gospel couldn't be proclaimed. (Then he brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household. Acts 16:30-31, ESV)
- Paul states that Christ has reconciled the entire cosmos to God so all men are obviously included and therefore unlimited atonement is the teaching of Scripture: (For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. Colossians 1:19-20, ESV)