So this has become the question in another thread. Did Christ die for only the elect or die He die for all. Here are the two views;
1. Limited atonement, sometimes called particular redemption, is based on the doctrine of election or predestination.
Since only the elect of God will be saved, the reasoning goes, Jesus must have died only for them. Otherwise, Jesus’ death “failed” those who are not elect. If Jesus died for everyone, then hell will be full of people for whom Jesus died—was His atonement insufficient? If Jesus died only for the elect, then His atonement perfectly accomplished its goal. Every person for whom Jesus died will be in heaven.
2. Unlimited atonement, on the other hand, says that Jesus died for everyone but that only those who respond in faith will reap the benefits of His sacrifice. In other words, Jesus’ death was sufficient for all, but only effectual for some (those who have faith). If Jesus did not die for everyone, the reasoning goes, then the offer of salvation is empty, because the non-elect cannot be saved.
I find this a very interesting question. I am digging deeper to fully explain what I believe and why. Does anyone else care to take a crack at it. Please use Scripture in your answer where possible.
The Bible says the Lamb was slain from the foundation of the world.
The prophets blood was shed from the foundation of the world.
And all the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Although they were future events they were still considered as being in the beginning.
Because God calls things that have not happened yet, as though they already happened, for if it is a plan of God to happen in the future it is the same as if it happened in the beginning for it will surely come to pass with no hindrance.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
All things were created by Him and without Him nothing was created that was created.
Which means in the beginning God had the plan to come in the future in flesh, and without that plan God would of not created anything He created for Jesus is the reason creation is successful to judge angels and people, and to give salvation.
Which the Bible says Jesus is the beginning of creation even though He was not born until 4000 years later.
So I believe predestination means God had the plan to give mankind salvation before He laid down the foundation of the world so it is the same as if the saints have salvation in the beginning, but this salvation is to whoever wants this salvation.
But while we have a choice in our salvation we would of not accepted the truth if God did not intervene in our life for the flesh will not accept the truth for there is no good thing that dwells in the flesh.
We have to have a choice in accepting salvation because God's kingdom is true love, and He is not evil to condemn people that have no choice.
If you program your computer to say I love you does your computer really love you, and if you program your computer to say I hate you will you get mad and smash the computer.
If God did not choose some people to have salvation without their choice then why is He mad at them.
And God is no respecter of persons, and what makes you to differ from another person, and there no difference between a Jew and a Gentile, and all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and there is none that does good, no, not one, and if you break the least of the law you broke it all.
So what criteria would God choose some people, and not other people when they are all equal in His eyes.
Many are called but few are chosen.
Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.
No person says Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost.
No person comes to the Son unless the Father draws them.
When God calls a person according to their heart condition He will work in their life to get them to the truth, and if they get to the door of truth they have to decide to go through it for God's kingdom is true love, but they would of not got to the door of truth if God did not intervene in their life.
1Ti 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
God does not choose who will be saved, and not saved without their choice because He wants all people to be saved.
It is a lack of understanding the scriptures to believe we do not have a choice in our salvation.
But it could be that some people want to believe that so they can engage in sin without fear, and can be lazy living for the kingdom of God with a no pressure lifestyle, and no worries.
The Bible says some have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof, ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
They do not allow the Spirit to lead them but they want to live in sin and believe they are right with God.