This is dealing with the extent of the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are basically two schools of thought on this.
The first, which I firmly believe to be the only as taught in the Holy Bible, is "Universal Redemption", which means that Jesus Christ intended and did die for Adam's fallen race , that is, for "everyone without exception", from Adam till the last person. It must not be confused with "Universal Salvation", the error that every human being will eventually be saved. This is not taught anywhere in Scripture, and must be rejected as rank heresy.
The second is, what scholars like the fourth century theologian, Augustine, taught, that Jesus Christ's death was intended for a certain group of people, that is, "the elect", who have been, from eternity past, "chosen" to salvation, and Jesus' death was only for them, and none of the "non elect" are included, nor can be saved. This is usually known as "Limited Atonement" or "Particular Redemption". This view, as we shall we, is a gross misrepresentation of what the Holy Bible actually teaches, as it teaches that Jesus died for "everyone without distinction", every "class" of people.
The first misrepresentation is from those who call themselves, "Five Point Calvinists", which goes by the acronym, T.U.L.I.P.. We are here only interested in the "L", which is "Limited Atonement". What is really interesting here, from my own personal research, as well as from some of my "Calvinistic" friends, is that John Calvin, whom these "Calvinists" hold they get their "theology" from, never believed in, or taught "Limited Atonement"! Calvin's own remarks on John 3:16, and other passages, clearly show that he was certainly not "limited" in his view on the Atonement. Here is what he says in his own words:
"That whosoever believeth on him may not perish. It is a remarkable commendation of faith, that it frees us from everlasting destruction. For he intended expressly to state that, though we appear to have been born to death, undoubted deliverance is offered to us by the faith of Christ; and, therefore, that we ought not to fear death, which otherwise hangs over us. And he has employed the universal term whosoever, both to invite all indiscriminately to partake of life, and to cut off every excuse from unbelievers. Such is also the import of the term World, which he formerly used; for though nothing will be found in the world that is worthy of the favor of God, yet he shows himself to be reconciled to the whole world, when he invites all men without exception to the faith of Christ, which is nothing else than an entrance into life."
Note even the use of "all men without exception", something a "Calvinist" would never say! Can any honest person doubt that Calvin did not believe in any "Limited Atonement"? Commenting on the words of Jesus Christ in Mark 14:24, "which is shed for many", Calvin, where it would have been expected to say, "this shows that ALL are not intended, but only the elect", says, "By the word many he means not a part of the world only, but the whole human race". This again is very much for "Universal Redemption"! Again, commenting on Colossians 1:14, and the words, "In whom we have redemption", Calvin says, "He says that this redemption was procured through the blood of Christ, for by the sacrifice of his death all the sins of the world have been expiated". Can any "Calvinist" still hold that Calvin taught any "limitations" to the Atonement of Jesus Christ?
I will only give one further example from the Word of God, on "for whom did Jesus Christ die". This can be found in the passage of the Lord's Supper as recorded by the Apostle Luke, in his Gospel, chapter 22. Luke is the only writer of the Four Gospels who tells us in very plain language, that the person who would betray the Lord Jesus Christ, Judas Iscariot, whose sin is the greatest against God Almighty, was included in the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
"And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for YOU. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for YOU is the new covenant in my blood. But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” (19-22)
It is very important to note, the timing of the Institution of the Lord's Supper by Jesus Himself. He could have waited for Judas to have left the room, and then said the words about His Death, and thus only have spoken to the eleven. But, He does not do this, and includes His would be traitor, Judas, in His use of "YOU". Here we have God Incarnate, the Lord Jesus Christ, tell us exactly for WHOM He died on the cross! There can be no doubt to the honest mind, that Jesus says that He died for "EVERYONE WITHOUT EXCEPTION"! AMEN!
These are the comments of two leading "Calvinists" on Judas and the Lord's Supper.
"From Luke's account it appears most clearly, that Judas was not only at the passover, but at the Lord's supper, since this was said when both were over." (John Gill)
"it seems plain that Judas did receive the Lord's supper, did eat of that bread and drink of that cup; for, after the solemnity was over, Christ said, Behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table." (Matthew Henry)
Those who have ears, let them hear!
Ad Dei Gloriam!
The first, which I firmly believe to be the only as taught in the Holy Bible, is "Universal Redemption", which means that Jesus Christ intended and did die for Adam's fallen race , that is, for "everyone without exception", from Adam till the last person. It must not be confused with "Universal Salvation", the error that every human being will eventually be saved. This is not taught anywhere in Scripture, and must be rejected as rank heresy.
The second is, what scholars like the fourth century theologian, Augustine, taught, that Jesus Christ's death was intended for a certain group of people, that is, "the elect", who have been, from eternity past, "chosen" to salvation, and Jesus' death was only for them, and none of the "non elect" are included, nor can be saved. This is usually known as "Limited Atonement" or "Particular Redemption". This view, as we shall we, is a gross misrepresentation of what the Holy Bible actually teaches, as it teaches that Jesus died for "everyone without distinction", every "class" of people.
The first misrepresentation is from those who call themselves, "Five Point Calvinists", which goes by the acronym, T.U.L.I.P.. We are here only interested in the "L", which is "Limited Atonement". What is really interesting here, from my own personal research, as well as from some of my "Calvinistic" friends, is that John Calvin, whom these "Calvinists" hold they get their "theology" from, never believed in, or taught "Limited Atonement"! Calvin's own remarks on John 3:16, and other passages, clearly show that he was certainly not "limited" in his view on the Atonement. Here is what he says in his own words:
"That whosoever believeth on him may not perish. It is a remarkable commendation of faith, that it frees us from everlasting destruction. For he intended expressly to state that, though we appear to have been born to death, undoubted deliverance is offered to us by the faith of Christ; and, therefore, that we ought not to fear death, which otherwise hangs over us. And he has employed the universal term whosoever, both to invite all indiscriminately to partake of life, and to cut off every excuse from unbelievers. Such is also the import of the term World, which he formerly used; for though nothing will be found in the world that is worthy of the favor of God, yet he shows himself to be reconciled to the whole world, when he invites all men without exception to the faith of Christ, which is nothing else than an entrance into life."
Note even the use of "all men without exception", something a "Calvinist" would never say! Can any honest person doubt that Calvin did not believe in any "Limited Atonement"? Commenting on the words of Jesus Christ in Mark 14:24, "which is shed for many", Calvin, where it would have been expected to say, "this shows that ALL are not intended, but only the elect", says, "By the word many he means not a part of the world only, but the whole human race". This again is very much for "Universal Redemption"! Again, commenting on Colossians 1:14, and the words, "In whom we have redemption", Calvin says, "He says that this redemption was procured through the blood of Christ, for by the sacrifice of his death all the sins of the world have been expiated". Can any "Calvinist" still hold that Calvin taught any "limitations" to the Atonement of Jesus Christ?
I will only give one further example from the Word of God, on "for whom did Jesus Christ die". This can be found in the passage of the Lord's Supper as recorded by the Apostle Luke, in his Gospel, chapter 22. Luke is the only writer of the Four Gospels who tells us in very plain language, that the person who would betray the Lord Jesus Christ, Judas Iscariot, whose sin is the greatest against God Almighty, was included in the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
"And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for YOU. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for YOU is the new covenant in my blood. But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” (19-22)
It is very important to note, the timing of the Institution of the Lord's Supper by Jesus Himself. He could have waited for Judas to have left the room, and then said the words about His Death, and thus only have spoken to the eleven. But, He does not do this, and includes His would be traitor, Judas, in His use of "YOU". Here we have God Incarnate, the Lord Jesus Christ, tell us exactly for WHOM He died on the cross! There can be no doubt to the honest mind, that Jesus says that He died for "EVERYONE WITHOUT EXCEPTION"! AMEN!
These are the comments of two leading "Calvinists" on Judas and the Lord's Supper.
"From Luke's account it appears most clearly, that Judas was not only at the passover, but at the Lord's supper, since this was said when both were over." (John Gill)
"it seems plain that Judas did receive the Lord's supper, did eat of that bread and drink of that cup; for, after the solemnity was over, Christ said, Behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table." (Matthew Henry)
Those who have ears, let them hear!
Ad Dei Gloriam!
