Definite atonement
Definite atonement addresses the intent and scope of the atoning death of Christ. It maintains that Christ suffered for sin and secured redemption only for those elected by God to salvation. For a general overview of the atonement, see atonement.
Designed to secure salvation, not merely make it possible
- Secures salvation
- Isa 19:20; 53:4–12; Mt 18:11; Jn 3:16–17; Ro 3:23–25; 5:8–10, 18–19; 8:3–4, 28–34; 1Co 6:19–20; 2Co 5:14–21; Gal 1:3–4; 3:13; 4:4–5; Eph 1:3, 7, 14; 2:14–16; 5:2, 25–27; Col 1:12–14; 2Ti 1:9–10; Tit 2:13–14; Heb 1:3; 2:10; 7:25; 9:11–15, 26; 10:14; 13:12; 1Pe 2:24; 3:18; 1Jn 1:7; 4:9; Rev 1:5; 5:9–10
- Also secures fulfillment of conditions for salvation
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Main topic: Effectual grace
- Gal 3:13–14; Eph 1:3–4; 2:4–8; Php 1:29
Limited in scope to the elect
- Christ was sent for the elect
- Jn 17:19 (cf. Jn 10:36); Heb 2:14–17
- Christ died for the elect
- Isa 53:8, 11–12; Mt 1:21; 20:28 (cf. Mk 10:45); Mt 26:28 (cf. Mk 14:24); Lk 1:68; Jn 6:38–39; 10:11, 14–15; 11:51–52; 13:1; 15:13; 17:1–2; Ac 20:28; Ro 5:19; 8:28, 33–34; Gal 1:4; 2:20; Eph 5:2, 25–27; Tit 2:14; Heb 9:15, 28; 13:20; 1Jn 3:16; 4:10; Rev 5:9–10
- Christ intercedes for the elect
- Lk 22:31–32; Jn 17:9, 11, 15, 20; Ro 8:33–34; Heb 7:25; 9:11–12, 24; 1Jn 2:1; Rev 3:5
- Propitiation and intercession inseparably linked
- Isa 53:11–12; Ro 8:32–34; Heb 7:24–27; 9:11–12; 10:19–22; 1Jn 2:1–2
Objections
- Christ died for “the world”
- Jn 1:29; 3:17; 4:42; 6:33, 51; Ro 11:12, 15; 2Co 5:19; 1Jn 2:2 (contrast Jn 11:51–52); 1Jn 4:14
- Christ died for “all” or “everyone”
- Ro 5:18; 1Co 15:22; 2Co 5:14–15; 1Ti 2:5–6; 4:10; Tit 2:11; Heb 2:9
- God desires salvation of all
- 1Ti 2:4; 2Pe 3:9
- Some for whom Christ died may not ultimately be saved
- Ac 20:28–30; Ro 14:15; 1Co 8:11; Heb 10:29; 2Pe 2:1
Counter-objections
- “World” doesn’t always mean everyone in the world
- Lk 2:1; Jn 1:10; 7:4; 12:19; 14:22; 18:20; Ac 11:28; 19:27; 24:5; Ro 1:8; 11:12, 15; Col 1:6
- “World” in some places carries idea of “all nations”
- Mt 24:14 (cf. Mk 13:10); Mt 26:13 (cf. Mk 14:9); Mk 16:15; Ro 1:5; 10:18
- “All” or “every” (gr. pas) can be distributive (i.e., “every kind”)
- Mt 4:23 (also Mk 9:35; 10:1); Lk 11:42