The Extent of the AtonementThe Extent of the Atonement

© John Stevenson, 2012

How is man saved?How is man saved?Natural ViewNatural View Supernatural ViewSupernatural View

Man saves Man saves himself by himself by self effortself effort

God accomplishes the work of God accomplishes the work of salvation through the death of salvation through the death of

His Son, Jesus, upon the crossHis Son, Jesus, upon the cross

How is man saved?How is man saved?Natural ViewNatural View Supernatural ViewSupernatural View

Man saves Man saves himself by himself by self effortself effort

God accomplishes the work of God accomplishes the work of salvation through the death of salvation through the death of

His Son, Jesus, upon the crossHis Son, Jesus, upon the cross

How does God save Man?How does God save Man?

How is man saved?How is man saved?Natural ViewNatural View Supernatural ViewSupernatural View

Man saves Man saves himself by himself by self effortself effort

God accomplishes the work of God accomplishes the work of salvation through the death of salvation through the death of

His Son, Jesus, upon the crossHis Son, Jesus, upon the cross

How does God save Man?How does God save Man?

Sacerdotal Sacerdotal ViewView

Evangelical Evangelical ViewView

Man saved Man saved through through

partaking in partaking in sacramentssacraments

Man saved Man saved through through

preaching of preaching of the gospelthe gospel

How does God save Man?How does God save Man?

Sacerdotal ViewSacerdotal View Evangelical ViewEvangelical View

Man saved through Man saved through partaking in partaking in sacramentssacraments

Man saved through Man saved through preaching of the preaching of the

gospelgospel

The church dispenses The church dispenses salvationsalvation

Holy Spirit brings Holy Spirit brings salvation to those who salvation to those who

believebelieve

For Whom Did Christ Die?For Whom Did Christ Die?

For all men equallyFor all men equally For the electFor the elect

If this is true, then it follows that…

• All men are saved

• Or that the atonement only made it possible for some men to save themselves

If this is true, then it follows that…

• Only some are saved

• The atonement accomplished that for which it was designed

For Whom Did Christ Die?For Whom Did Christ Die?

For all men equallyFor all men equally For the electFor the elect

Cross + Man’s Decision = SalvationCross + Man’s Decision = Salvation

Cross + God’s inward call (which Cross + God’s inward call (which results in repentance and faith) = results in repentance and faith) =

SalvationSalvation

• The emphasis of ScriptureThe emphasis of Scripture– He died for His people (Matthew 1:21).– He died for His friends (John 15:13).– He died for His sheep (John 10:11).– He died for His body - the church

(Ephesians 5:23-26).– He died for the elect (Romans 8:32-34).– He died for Us (Titus 2:14).

• The emphasis of ScriptureThe emphasis of Scripture

I am the good shepherd; the good I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the shepherd lays down His life for the

sheep (John 10:11).sheep (John 10:11).

• The emphasis of ScriptureThe emphasis of Scripture

““You are not my You are not my sheep because you sheep because you have not believed.”have not believed.”

ArminianArminian

““You do not believe, You do not believe, because you are not because you are not

of my sheep”of my sheep”(John 10:26)(John 10:26)

JesusJesus

• The emphasis of ScriptureThe emphasis of Scripture

• Only a limited number hear the Only a limited number hear the gospelgospel

At that time Jesus answered and said, “IAt that time Jesus answered and said, “Ipraise Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and praise Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and

earth, that Thou didst hide these things from earth, that Thou didst hide these things from the wise and intelligent and didst reveal them the wise and intelligent and didst reveal them

to babes” (Matthew 11:26).to babes” (Matthew 11:26).

• The emphasis of ScriptureThe emphasis of Scripture

• Only a limited number hear the Only a limited number hear the gospelgospel

““Yes, Father, for thus it was well-pleasing in Yes, Father, for thus it was well-pleasing in Thy sight” (Matthew 11:27).Thy sight” (Matthew 11:27).

• The emphasis of ScriptureThe emphasis of Scripture

• Only a limited number hear the Only a limited number hear the gospelgospel

• The Intercessory work of Christ was The Intercessory work of Christ was restricted to the electrestricted to the elect

““I ask on their behalf; I do NOT ask on behalfI ask on their behalf; I do NOT ask on behalfof the world, but of those whom You have of the world, but of those whom You have given Me; for they are Yours” (John 17:9).given Me; for they are Yours” (John 17:9).

For consider For consider your callingyour calling, brethren, that, brethren, thatthere were not many wise according to the there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;

2727 but but God has chosen God has chosen the foolish things of the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and the world to shame the wise, and God has God has

chosen chosen the weak things of the world tothe weak things of the world toshame the things which are strong, shame the things which are strong, 2828 and and

the base things of the world and the the base things of the world and the despised, despised, God has chosenGod has chosen, the things that , the things that are not, that He might nullify the things that are not, that He might nullify the things that

are, are, 2929 that no man should boast before that no man should boast beforeGod. God. 3030 But But by His doing by His doing you are in Christ you are in Christ

Jesus... (1 Corinthians 1:26-30).Jesus... (1 Corinthians 1:26-30).

All of the sins of all All of the sins of all menmen

None of the sins of None of the sins of all menall men

Some of the sins of Some of the sins of all menall men

All of the sins of All of the sins of some mensome men

The General Nature of The General Nature of Universal LanguageUniversal Language

• ““You will be hated by all on account of You will be hated by all on account of My name” (Matthew 10:22).My name” (Matthew 10:22).

• ““All the Jews know my manner of life...” All the Jews know my manner of life...” (Acts 26:4).(Acts 26:4).

• ““And it will come about after this that I And it will come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind” will pour out My Spirit on all mankind” (Joel 2:28).(Joel 2:28).

““And I, if I be lifted up fromAnd I, if I be lifted up fromthe earth, will draw all men to Myself.” the earth, will draw all men to Myself.”

(John 12:32).(John 12:32).

• “All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out” (John 6:37).

• ““No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:44).

• “Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me” (John 6:45).

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and and prayers, petitions prayers, petitions and and

thanksgivings, be made on behalf of thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, all men, 22 for kings and all who are in for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness tranquil and quiet life in all godliness

and dignity. and dignity. 33 This is good and This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, Savior, 44 who desires all men to be who desires all men to be

saved and to come to the knowledge saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:1-4).of the truth (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

The Lord is not slow aboutThe Lord is not slow aboutHis promise, as some His promise, as some count slowness, but is count slowness, but is patient toward you, not patient toward you, not

wishing for any to perish wishing for any to perish but for all to come to but for all to come to

repentance (2 Peter 3:9).repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

For it is for this we labor and strive, For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on because we have fixed our hope on

the living God, who is the Savior of all the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believersmen, especially of believers

(1 Timothy 4:10).(1 Timothy 4:10).

Christ is the Christ is the Savior of all Savior of all

menmen

He especially He especially saves saves

believersbelievers

• It is sufficient for allIt is sufficient for all

• It is offered to allIt is offered to all

• It is sufficient for allIt is sufficient for all

• It is offered to allIt is offered to all

Therefore having overlooked the times of Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent (Acts 17:30). all everywhere should repent (Acts 17:30).

• It is sufficient for allIt is sufficient for all

• It is offered to allIt is offered to all

And the Spirit and the brideAnd the Spirit and the bridesay, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life let the one who wishes take the water of life

without cost. (Revelation 22:17).without cost. (Revelation 22:17).