Series:             Systematic Theology Part 2
Title:               The Atonement, Pt. 2
Purpose:          To examine why it was necessary for Christ to die.
Date:               April 13, 2025
 
 
I.                The nature of the atonement
A.    Christ’s obedience for us - active
1.     Had to be perfectly obedient to earn righteousness for us
2.     Romans 5:19 - one man’s obedience made many righteous
B.    Christ’s suffering for us - passive
1.     Suffering for His whole life - Hebrews 5:8 - learned through suffering 
2.     The pain of the cross
3.     Further understanding of the death of Christ 
4.     NT terms describing different aspects of the atonement
5.     Other views of the atonement in church history
6.     Did Christ descend into hell?
 
II.              The extent of the atonement
A.    Scripture used to support the Reformed view - limited atonement
1.     Christ’s death for all sins of only those who will be redeemed - the elect
2.     If non-elect have had the penalty paid, there is no justice in sending them to hell
3.     Since we do not know who they are, we must share the news with everyone and the elect will respond 
B.    Scriptures used to support the non-Reformed view - general redemption
1.     Death paid for all sins of all people for all time
2.     John 1:29 - sin of the world
3.     John 3:16 - 2 Corinthians 5:19 - reconciling the world to Himself
4.     1 Timothy 2:6 - gave Himself a ransom for all
C.    Some points of agreement and some conclusions about disputed texts
1.     Not all will be saved
2.     Free offer to whoever will
3.     Christ death is sufficient to pay the penalty for all the Father calls
D.    Some points of clarification and caution regarding this doctrine
1.     Christ died for His people only and Christ died for all people are both true in some senses
2.     Both want to avoid implying that people will be saved whether they believe in Christ or not
3.     Both want to avoid implying the people who come to Christ for salvation will be turned away because Christ did not die for them
4.     Both want to avoid implying that God is hypocritical or insincere
5.     Both understand that this is a minor doctrine