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Introduction
A small amount of this material was mentioned in the paper on the “Sides
of the Brazen Altar” but this is more in detail.
Because there are measurements given, it automatically sets limitations
and we are then forced to consider an aspect of the gospel we have
possibly not looked at before. We have always been taught, and rightly
so, that the gospel is for the “whosoever will” but it does have
limitations, a comment which will possibly make some saints throw the
paper down in disgust or jump to a wrong conclusion. What I write is
Biblical truths which all believers, when they see, will fully agree
with.
I am not saying atonement is limited, such a doctrine is error,
but salvation is limited.
The scriptures know nothing of a limited atonement or a salvation only
for the elect. It is open to the “whosoever will”. While salvation is
available for the whosoever (Jn. 3:16), there will never be any
insufficiency in the work of Christ (Isa. 53:6; 2 Pet. 3:9), yet it is
only upon all who believe (Rom. 3:22). Those who teach “limited
atonement” will argue that an individual can only believe when the Holy
Spirit moves and gives them enlightenment or life, because a spiritually
dead individual cannot believe! That is perfectly true, but they are
failing to recognize that in Romans, where man is told to believe, he is
viewed as a living person (Rom. 4:24). However, in Ephesians man is
viewed as being dead in sins (Eph. 2:1) and the work of salvation is by
the quickening power of God (Eph. 2:1, 8-9).
What is meant by “limited atonement”?
There is one major danger that anyone can easily fall into regarding
atonement. It is that of extremism. There are those which preach that
this doctrine means God predestines some men to hell in exactly the same
way as he predestines others to heaven. This thinking makes God the
author of sin, unrighteousness, and the offer of salvation to the
whosoever a charade. The other error is to teach that Christ died
becoming the substitute for everyone, and this is called “Universal
Atonement”, which teaches that all will eventually be saved.
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It is my believe that the scriptures never contradict themselves
else God would be the Author of confusion. Between limited and
universal salvation there is a balance which enables all verses
to be perfectly true. My belief is as follows: |
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a) |
Christ died for all in the sense that His sacrifice was
sufficient for the salvation for all humanity. |
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b) |
That God is perfectly righteousness, and in love and truth holds
open the genuine offer of salvation to all. |
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c) |
That there is salvation for the reconciliation of all humanity
back into fellowship with God, but for all those who reject that
offer, there is the assurance of banishment in hell for all
eternity. |
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d) |
That it is only when an individual accepts Christ as Saviour
that they can say: “He died for me as my Substitute”. |
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e) |
I am aware that some will think I am speaking blasphemy with the
last statement so let me clarify. In the doctrine of
righteousness it is rightly said that if God punished Christ for
my sins and then punishes me for the same sins, that is not
righteous! Do we not sing: “Payment God will not twice demand,
first at my bleedings Surety’s hand and then again at mine”.
That which one must understand is that while Christ has provided
salvation for everyone, He only becomes their substitute the
moment they accept Him. |
Salvation is Limited
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a) |
It is limited as to when the individual can respond to God’s
gracious offer. God has said: “My spirit shall not always
strive with man” (Gen. 6:3), and again: “he that being often
reproved . . . shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without
remedy” (Prov. 29:1). These are Old Testament expressions but
that does not nullify the fact that God is not a puppet on a
string who I can despise, and then respond when it suits me! It
is limited to as long or as often God deals with the sinner.
Well has the hymn writer penned: “There’s a line that is crossed
by rejecting out Lord, where the call of His Spirit is lost”. |
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b) |
It is limited as to those who can avail of it. There is no
salvation for angels who sinned (Heb. 2:16). It is a message
for humanity alone. |
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c) |
It is limited being only available as long as an individual is
alive. It must be clear, from the narrative of the rich man and
Lazarus, there is no transference from heaven to hell to give
relief, neither is there any transference from hell to heaven in
repentance (Lk. 16:24-26). Once an individual dies all hope is
gone forever, mercy never again knocks at the hearts door. In
that place of torment there is memory of the previous life (Lk.
16:27); of previous relationships (Lk. 16:28); and of the
present situation (Lk. 16:24, 27). The scriptures are clear
that death is the end of all opportunity (Heb. 9:27). While an
individual is alive and the Spirit of God is striving, there may
be multiple opportunities for their acceptance (Jn. 3:16; Acts
16:31). Once a person dies there are no more chances. The idea
of purgatory, a place where people go after death to pay for
their sins, has no biblical basis. The offer of salvation is
terminated when an unsaved individual dies, and at that moment
the individual is made aware that there is a change: |
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i) |
From laughing to wailing |
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ii) |
From opportunity to hopelessness |
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iii) |
From theory to reality, and these for all eternity |
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Hell, the prison house of despair,
Here are some things that will be there:
Fire and brimstone are there, we know,
For God in His Word hath told us so.
Memory, remorse, suffering and pain,
Weeping and wailing, but all in vain.
Blasphemer, swearer, hater of God,
Christ-rejector while here on earth trod,
Murderer, gambler, drunkard and liar,
Will have his part in the Lake of Fire.
The filthy, the vile, the cruel and the mean,
What a horrible mob in Hell will be seen.
Yes, more than humans on earth can tell
Are the torments and woes of Eternal Hell.
. . .
Unknown
“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation.”
Hebrews 2:3
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d) |
It is limited by the moment the Lord comes. On this we must be
careful for the scriptures will not allow one to say that all
who have heard the gospel will not have further opportunity. It
is all those “who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in
unrighteousness” (2 Thess. 2:12). Such are those who in full
knowledge and understanding rejected the gospel. For a person
to be such, they not only have heard the gospel but understood
it (Matt. 13:14-15). Many of us heard the gospel many times but
its truths were never really understood. However, let it be
very clear, when the Lord comes for His own there will be no
second chance for those who have in full knowledge spurned the
message. I am aware that there are books which convey the idea
that such will be able to get saved. Concerning such, the
scriptures have a closed door. |
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e) |
It is limited to the individuals who are willing to listen to
the gospel. Had the Israelites in Egypt rejected the message of
Moses, there would have been no redemption and liberation. Such
a case would not have been because God was incapable of
delivering them or it was idle talk from Moses. Their continued
enslavement would have been because they refused to listen.
Likewise with the individual today who refuses to listen and
learn from the gospel. All effectiveness of its message will be
nullified. Man can harden his heart as Pharaoh did (Ex. 7:14;
Heb. 3:8) and the Israelites who stopped their ears (Zech. 7:11;
Acts 7:57). For such there can be no salvation. |
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f) |
It is limited to the individuals who, having heard and
understood, are willing to accept it as the only way of
salvation, that being through Christ and His finished work at
the cross. Well has the apostle said: “Neither is there
salvation in any other; for there is none other name under
heaven” (Acts 4:12); there is no other way (Jn. 14:6). This was
the truth Cornelius had to learn (Acts 10:1-48); the Ethiopian
eunuch (Acts 8:27-39); and Saul (Acts 9:3-6). There is the
danger of hearing, and understanding, and like Judas, coming
right to the Door of Heaven and then dying in his sins. Abner
stood at the very gate of the city of refuge and died (2 Sam.
3:33). |
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g) |
It is limited to those who do not put any confidence in the
flesh or personal activities. The scriptures are plain: “Not by
works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His
mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5); “Not of works, lest any man
should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9). |
Salvation Is Not Limited
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Thank God for the comforting lovely words: “Blood of Jesus
Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sins” (1 Jn. 1:7). This
verse gives the assurance that salvation is: |
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a) |
Not limited as to the types
of sin which can be forgiven |
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b) |
Not limited as to when the sins were committed, pre-salvation or
post, past, present or future |
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c) |
Not limited to the persistent continuance of a particular sin |
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d) |
Not limited to the
number of particular sins an individual can be forgiven |
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e) |
Not limited in capacity of Heaven to receive |
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f) |
Not limited to the ease of burden and anxiety it can give to a
sin burdened conscience |
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g) |
Not limited to the fulness of the forgiveness God offers |
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h) |
Not limited to the release from self condemnation and the
feeling of astonishment and amazement of “How could I have done
that”? |
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i) |
Not limited in the ability of Christ to keep for: “He is able
also to save to the uttermost that come unto God by Him” (Heb.
7:25); “Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling”
(Jude 24). |
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j) |
Not limited to the ability of God the Father to keep, for we
are: “Kept by the power of God through faith” (1 Pet. 1:5). |
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k) |
Not limited to the willingness of God to save for: “The Lord is
. . . not willing that any should perish, but that all should
come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9); God “Who will have all men to
be saved” (1 Tim. 2:4). |
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l) |
Not limited in the ability of the Holy Spirit who
has the power to keep, for He is the “earnest” of the Spirit (2
Cor. 1:22; 5:5). |
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m) |
Not limited to the number of those who can avail themselves of
it for: “It is the power of God unto salvation to every one
that believeth” (Rom. 1:16). |
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The sacrifice of the Lord and His resurrection gives: “the power
of that raised up Christ from the dead” (Eph. 1:19-2:1) to the
individual. This is a “great salvation” (Heb. 2:3) because of
it is a: |
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a) |
Personal salvation (Rom. 1:16) |
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b) |
Powerful salvation (Rom. 1:16) |
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c) |
Present salvation (Jn. 3:36; 5:24) |
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It is great because: |
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Of the price paid to procure it (1 Pet. 1:19) |
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b) |
Of its universality (Jn. 3:16) |
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c) |
Of the blessings it bestows (Eph. 1:3-5) |
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d) |
It is eternal in its duration (Heb. 5:9; 2 Tim. 2:10) |
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e) |
It is incomparable in its effectiveness now (Rom. 1:16; Eph.
1:18-2:6) |
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May God grant us good understanding as He, by His
Holy Spirit, deigns to guide us into all truth.
John 16:1
Rowan Jennings, Abbotsford,
British Columbia
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