Question: Did Jesus Die For The Sins Of All Mankind Or Only A Few?
Posted: Friday, October 28, 2011
by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html
Sometimes the Lord’s purpose and His plan for mankind is misunderstood and often divisions are caused over very simple subjects and even sometimes on the usage of words.
In a previous article we discussed the “U” in the John Calvin’s T.U.L.I.P. doctrines, that of whether or not God predestinated those to be lost and those to be saved and that they were helpless to change it. The “L” has similar implications but is different as to the question and answer. The “L’ stands for Limited Atonement. In other words, it states that Jesus shed his blood only for the elect, not for those who have been rejected.
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)
But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. (John 10:26)
And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: (Matthew 25:32)
This in no way, limits who can be saved and who cannot. HIS sheep are those who follow him. Those who choose to follow him. True, the ones who do not will not be saved. But Jesus died for every human that ever lived, from Adam through the last baby conceived before his return. Whether or not they choose to follow him is their decision. God has made the offer to one and all and Jesus gave his blood which was an adequate sacrifice for the atonement for all people. But naturally it will not save those who reject him. But nevertheless, salvation is within their reach.
When asked to explain how this can be, here is a paragraph from their website which gives their view.
That God, by His sovereign grace predestines people into salvation; that Jesus died only for those predestined; that God regenerates the individual where he is then able and wants to choose God; and that it is impossible for those who are redeemed to lose their salvation. (The five points of Calvinism: The Calvinist Corner)http://calvinistcorner.com/tulip
This, of course, destroys any choice by man himself. He is doomed at birth or saved at birth and nothing he can do about it. How foolish God would be to go to all the trouble He has to raise up people only to assign them eternally to punishment. If he wanted robots, all he would have had to do would have been to add more angels and not have had to send Jesus to earth. His sole desire for man was/is that “they live holy and without blame before him in love”. But it’s their choice.
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (Ephesians 1:4)
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Jesus died for all mankind, but not all will choose him. You can put a gift on the table, but if the person never opens it, it remains unaccepted. Great contrast.
Many people do not get 'predestination', however it's very simple. God is omnipotent and knows everyone's choices, so in that matter he sees their 'predestination' through freewill choices they will make long before their decision is fixed.
Thanks.Thanks for your comment elle, you are right that God knows who will and who won't obey him. But that is foreknowledge, not predestination. Man is never at a point he could not change and do what is right before God, never. The difference is, God already knows whether or not he will. If they were predestinated, they would have no choice in the matter.That is why I mentioned early it depends somewhat on the usage of words."You say if predestined they would have no choice", however the word "predestine" is defined also as 'destiny"; not everyone reaches their destiny. One may be predeternimed or destined to be a great actor, but without applying their talent, that destiny will never happen. So it still goes back to God's "foreknowledge" (as you call it) or divine "Omnipotence", and God's ability to know that many will never fulfill their destiny, either due to sin, lack of persistence, or being sidetracked from the truth, etc. The Bible says "the gifts and the calling of God are without repentance." So gifts meant for a particular destiny can be misused in a worldly way, and God doesn't recall the giflt; any more than he recalls the destiny aka predestination, albeit he knows how they will choose...just as he knows who will make the right choice and fulfill their predestined destiny......We aren't disagreeing. When the Calvinists say predestined, they mean their destiny is fixed. Nothing they could do would change it. Eventhoiugh God knows eons in advance, it is the individual who makes the choice. Not God. He knows what they will do, but he didn't make them do it.There is a difference.Amen.
Very well explained Joel. Thank you for teaching on this subject. When we define what is meant by the word predestination, it removes the chance of misunderstanding, not only for this subject, but all subjects. Blessings! TeresaThanks for both comments Teresa, your approval is always strengthening to me. May God continue to bless and give understanding to both of us, as we delve into his word.
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