For whom did Christ die (part 5)

by Danny Pelichowski

The Nature and Extent of the Atonement (part 3)

“Redemption is that priestly work of Christ wherein He delivered us from our bondage to the Law, Sin and Satan through purchase by the ransom of His substitutionary obedience in life and death.”[6] Scripture tells us that that redemption is the reason Christ came to the earth (Matthew 20:28). Jesus gave his life as a ransom to God in order to grant us freedom. Dr. Robert Morey explains that “Christ did not pay a ransom to Satan as some medieval theologians thought. But, rather, Christ’s ransom was paid to God to remove sin for it is by sin that Satan holds us captive. By removing our sins through the death of Christ, God delivered us from the power of darkness."[7] We are indeed set free from the bondage of sin for we read in Titus 2:14 that Jesus is the one “who gave Himself up for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed.” The work of Christ brought sinful men out of slavery and purchased them freedom by which they can rejoice.

Thus far we have discussed how Christ appeased Gods wrath as well as reconciling us to God. These two aspects of the atonement bring the believer true peace with God. Redemption follows bringing freedom to the elect. The final aspect of the nature of the atonement is expiation or payment that is made for sinners. Payment is discussed last not for any reason of the value or the order of application in the atonement because the whole work of Christ is equally valuable and comprehensive. The first three aspects of the atonement implicate a payment or cleansing however expiation is much more specific in that it implies the substitutionary act of Christ’s removal of our sin and guilt. We are actually viewed as being innocent before the Lord on the basis of Christ work on the cross. It is true that the subjective reality of justification or legal innocence before the Lord doesn’t happen until a profession of faith; however, no one could be justified without the work of Christ. It is also important to understand that even faith is a sovereign gift of God and all necessary applications of salvation was purchased on the cross (Ephesians 2:8). Therefore, I can say that through the atonement Christ made a complete sacrifice for the elect that secures their election, regeneration, faith, repentance, sanctification and glorification (Hebrews 9:12; Ephesians 2:8; Galatians 3:13;). Arthur Pink very graciously points out that the reason we can have remission and confidence that our sin was washed clean is on the basis of the atonement.[8] Our high Priest Jesus Christ has made a perfect and definite atonement for His sheep.

Now that the nature of the atonement has been discussed the extent of the atonement will be the topic for the remainder of the paper. When discussing the topic about those whom Christ died there are many differing views that are held. For the sake of brevity and personal interests I am only going to compare the five point Calvinists view of the extent of the atonement to the modified or four point Calvinist position. Either Christ died for the whole world (unlimited atonement) without exception, or He died for only the elect (limit atonement) who were chosen by the Father. The historic Calvinist position believe that Christ died a substitutionary death for those who were unconditionally elected by God the Father in order to give them free mercy and grace. The elect are the objects of His mercy; therefore the death of Christ was the sacrifice made for the elect alone. The modified Calvinist position on the extent of the atonement is that Christ died for the whole world yet His death is only applied to the elect on the condition of faith. We now turn to an exegetical and theological discussion about the passages and arguments that each camp uses to defend their position.

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6. Morey, Robert. Studies in the Atonement. P. 35

7. Ibid

8. Pink, Arthur, W. The Satisfaction of Christ. P. 105