The Issue of Limited Atonement

[FreeInChrist]

@Doug Brents



It is given, on behalf of Christ Phil 1:29

29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

Since He purged away their sins, its given them to believe on Him for that.

Means

God graciously gives people the opportunity and privilege to believe in Christ, and those who freely respond may also be called to endure suffering as a consequence of choosing loyalty to Him.


“Granted” (charizomai) means graciously allowed or bestowed, not imposed.

How this is done is by God offering Christ through the gospeland this alloows us to retain the real ability to accept or reject that offer

Belief is possible because God makes it available, not because He overrides the will

What does this mean?????? Faith is enabled, not compelled.

In Philippians 1:29 Paul assumes the Philippians chose to believe. The verse does not say God believed for them or instead of them.

This is backed up with.......
“Whoever believes” (John 3:16)
“You were willing” (Matt 23:37)
“You believed when you heard” (Eph 1:13)

Here. suffering is mentioned because of belief, not as its cause.

Choosing Christ places a person in conflict with the world. Surly you have seen and experience that somewhere along in your life.
God does not need to predetermine suffering simply because opposition naturally follows allegiance

Paul does encourage them by saying..... "your hardship is not random; it flows from your free commitment to Christ". That is free will..

To belong to Christ is to share His path.......Belief begins the relationship.......and suffering may accompany faithfulness

Showing Paul’s point is relational, not mechanical:

Both are “granted” in the sense that God counts them as privileges within the relationship, not as irresistible decrees.

Philippians 1:29 teaches that God graciously opens the way for people to believe in Christ, and those who freely choose Him may also experience suffering as part of faithful discipleship...without negating real human choice.

 

[brightfame52]

God graciously gives people the opportunity and privilege to believe in Christ, and those who freely respond may also be called to endure suffering as a consequence of choosing loyalty to Him.

False

 

[civic]

Means

God graciously gives people the opportunity and privilege to believe in Christ, and those who freely respond may also be called to endure suffering as a consequence of choosing loyalty to Him.


“Granted” (charizomai) means graciously allowed or bestowed, not imposed.

How this is done is by God offering Christ through the gospeland this alloows us to retain the real ability to accept or reject that offer

Belief is possible because God makes it available, not because He overrides the will

What does this mean?????? Faith is enabled, not compelled.

In Philippians 1:29 Paul assumes the Philippians chose to believe. The verse does not say God believed for them or instead of them.

This is backed up with.......
“Whoever believes” (John 3:16)
“You were willing” (Matt 23:37)
“You believed when you heard” (Eph 1:13)

Here. suffering is mentioned because of belief, not as its cause.

Choosing Christ places a person in conflict with the world. Surly you have seen and experience that somewhere along in your life.
God does not need to predetermine suffering simply because opposition naturally follows allegiance

Paul does encourage them by saying..... "your hardship is not random; it flows from your free commitment to Christ". That is free will..

To belong to Christ is to share His path.......Belief begins the relationship.......and suffering may accompany faithfulness

Showing Paul’s point is relational, not mechanical:

Both are “granted” in the sense that God counts them as privileges within the relationship, not as irresistible decrees.

Philippians 1:29 teaches that God graciously opens the way for people to believe in Christ, and those who freely choose Him may also experience suffering as part of faithful discipleship...without negating real human choice.

True

 

[Bob Carabbio]

I'm not going to take a stand on whether or not atonement is limited or sufficient for all because I honestly don't know.

I'd just like to hear from non-Calvinists as to how they reconcile their view of atonement with the fact that not all people will be saved. Isn't that, by definition, limited atonement? Or is there another explanation?

OF COURSE "Atonement is LIMITED"!!! Not every human will be born again - period.

The MECHANICS of "limited atonement" are different in every wind of theology that blows through. But it's nothing but "Theology", some of which is truth, and some of which is useless speculation.

Rom 9:16-18 illustrates God's will in salvation, Rom 10:17 reveals how FAITH comes, Heb 11:1 reveals two attributes that what we call "FAITH" must have (Substance and evidence) illustrating that BIBLICAL FAITH is not the same as intellectual belief. Eph 2:8 indicated HOW we are saved and that the FAITH that makes it work is NOT of our creation - back to Rom 10:17.

 

[brightfame52]

OF COURSE "Atonement is LIMITED"!!! Not every human will be born again - period.

However the ones Christ died for and put away their sins, His resurrection causes them to be born again. 1 Pet1:3

 

[FreeInChrist]

I'm not going to take a stand on whether or not atonement is limited or sufficient for all because I honestly don't know.

I'd just like to hear from non-Calvinists as to how they reconcile their view of atonement with the fact that not all people will be saved. Isn't that, by definition, limited atonement? Or is there another explanation?

Let me speak for myself... a former Calvinist now a definite NON- Calvinist

Non-Calvinists reconcile universal atonement with lost people by affirming free will. Christ died for all, and God graciously enables all to respond, but He does not coerce belief. The atonement removes the barrier of sin; faith freely receives its benefits. Therefore, not all being saved reflects human resistance to grace, not a limitation in the scope of the atonement.

It is that unlimited atonement plus free will explains unbelief without denying God’s saving intent.

 

[TomL]

I'm not going to take a stand on whether or not atonement is limited or sufficient for all because I honestly don't know.

I'd just like to hear from non-Calvinists as to how they reconcile their view of atonement with the fact that not all people will be saved. Isn't that, by definition, limited atonement? Or is there another explanation?

In atonement there is intent, extent, and application.

The doctrine of unlimited atonement does not refer to the application

Unlimited atonement refers to the extent of Christ's atoning work, which is believed to provide salvation for all people, regardless of their faith or moral status. This view holds that Christ died for the sins of the whole world, offering salvation to everyone who believes in Him. The extent of the atonement is a theological debate that centers on whether Christ's death was intended to secure salvation for a limited number of elect persons or for the entire human race. The intent of the atonement is to reconcile humanity to God and offer salvation to all, reflecting God's love and desire for all to be saved.

 

[brightfame52]

The doctrine of unlimited atonement does not refer to the application

Limited atonement does, all for whom Christ died the atonement benefits are effectually applied. Rom 8:32

32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? The all things freely given with Christ are spiritual things conducive to spiritual life and godliness, application of salvation.

 

[TomL]

Limited atonement does, all for whom Christ died the atonement benefits are effectually applied. Rom 8:32

32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? The all things freely given with Christ are spiritual things conducive to spiritual life and godliness, application of salvation.

Limited atonement is not for the unconditional elect but for those who believe.

 

[brightfame52]

Limited atonement is not for the unconditional elect but for those who believe.

Again with Christ comes all spiritual blessing needed for conversion. Also the words freely give are in the Greek charizomai:

1. to grant forgiveness, to pardon
2. to give graciously, give freely, bestow

So with Christ God gives freely forgiveness and pardon of sin. So everyone Christ died for has free forgiveness of sins
Eph 4:32

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.