Some Thoughts on Definite Atonement

The doctrine of definite atonement or "limited atonement" or as it is called by many, "particular redemption", is certainly the most controversial and debated teaching among the so-called Five Points of Calvinism. For me personally, this was the one doctrine I struggeled with the most. Of course, the root of my struggles was having grown up in a church culture that embraced without question the idea of a "universal atonement". It was hard for me to imagine that the death of Christ wasn't meant for everyone without exception. Hence, I plunged myself into the Scriptures seeking to understand more fully the intended purpose of Christ's death. For what reason did He die? What was the design of His death meant to accomplish?

The answers to these questions from the Word of God opened my eyes to see that Christ did not die to make salvation possible for everyone but His death accomplished a real salvation for a particular people. He came "to save His people from their sins" (Matt.1:21). Or as Jesus Himself said in John 10:11-16, as "the Good Shepherd" He has come to lay down His life for "the sheep". And who are the sheep? He identifies them as those who hear His voice, follow Him, are given eternal life, will never be taken away from Christ, and they are those whom the Father has given to His Son to save (see John 10:27-29). By such a description, "the sheep" cannot be referring to the whole world. The sheep can only be describing believers in Christ.

Again, what one must conclude by such a passage like this, is that Jesus did not die to make salvation a possibility for someone somewhere to accept if they think it is worthy. That is to say, the death of Christ was not a gamble God took hoping that the sacrifice of His Son would mean something to somebody. No, Christ laid down His life to save only those whom His Father gave Him to save (see John 6:37; 17:2). His death therefore was a definite or particular atoning sacrifice for a particular people.

Expanding further on the glory of this doctrine, Joel Beeke once wrote:

"The good news of Christ's definite atonement is that it means He is a complete Mediator. He both merits and applies salvation. Both are necessary because we are unable to do either. Christ must be a full Savior because sinners are spiritually dead and cannot independently receive a Christ presented to them. Though Christ has merited everything, God's people know that they have no legs to run to Him, no arms to embrace Him, no lips to kiss Him. He must do everything - both the meriting and the applying. Thus, He receives all honor and glory as the Alpha and Omega for His own" (Living for God's Glory: An Introduction to Calvinism: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2008; pp. 91-92).