Introduction to Reformed Theology
Week 6: The Doctrine of Particular Redemption
I.
Particular Redemption Defined
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Christ’s atonement was intended by God to secure the redemption of the elect alone.
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Note the connection between the intent, the nature, and the extent of the atonement.
- Intent: “What was Jesus’ death designed to accomplish?”
- Nature: “What kind of atonement was it?”
- Extent: “For whom exactly did Jesus die?”
•
The basic point: the extent of the atonement depends on the intent of the atonement.
CALVINISM
ARMINIANISM
UNIVERSALISM
DESIGN/INTENT
EXTENT
NATURE
OUTCOME
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What Particular Atonement does mean:
- Jesus died for particular people; not for people in general (and no one in particular).
- Christ’s atonement was an actual atonement for sins, not a potential atonement.
- Christ’s atonement was limited in extent, but not limited in efficacy.
- The redeeming work of Christ is sufficient to save those for whom it was intended.
•
What Particular Atonement doesn’t mean:
- “Christ’s atonement was limited in value or in power.”
- “God doesn’t love the non-elect and desire their salvation.”
- “The gospel invitation (external call) is only for the elect.”
“Now, beloved, when you hear anyone laughing or jeering at a limited atonement, you may tell
him this. General atonement is like a great wide bridge with only half an arch. It does not go
across the stream. It only professes to go half way—it does not secure the salvation of anybody.
Now, I had rather put my foot upon a bridge as narrow as Hungerford, which went all the way
across, than on a bridge that was as wide as the world, if it did not go all the way across the
stream.”*
II. Particular Redemption Demonstrated
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Leviticus 16 (esp. vv. 16, 21, 24, 33-34)
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Matthew 1:21
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Mark 10:45
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John 10:11, 15
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John 17:1-26 (esp. vv. 9, 20)
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Acts 20:28
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Romans 3:25-26
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Romans 5:6-11
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Ephesians 5:25
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1 Thessalonians 5:9-10
*
Charles H. Spurgeon, “Particular Redemption”. Available online: http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0181.htm
III. Discussion Questions
1. “Jesus died for the whole world.” Do you agree? (Explain!)
2. Why do you think many people today find this the hardest of the “Five Points” to accept?
3. What about those verses that seem to affirm a “universal atonement” (John 1:29; 1 Timothy
2:6; 1 John 2:2)?
4. How can the doctrine of Particular Redemption give us comfort and encouragement?
5. Does the doctrine of Particular Redemption encourage or discourage evangelism?
“Tell me, then, sir, whom did Christ die for? Will you answer me a question or two, and I will tell
you whether He died for you. Do you want a Saviour? Do you feel that you need a Saviour? Are
you this morning conscious of sin? Has the Holy Spirit taught you that you are lost? Then Christ
died for you and you will be saved. Are you this morning conscious that you have no hope in the
world but Christ? Do you feel that you of yourself cannot offer an atonement that can satisfy
God’s justice? Have you given up all confidence in yourselves? And can you say upon your
bended knees, ‘Lord, save, or I perish’? Christ died for you. If you are saying this morning, ‘I am
as good as I ought to be; I can get to Heaven by my own good works,’ then, remember, the
Scripture says of Jesus, ‘I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’ So long as
you are in that state I have no atonement to preach to you. But if this morning you feel guilty,
wretched, conscious of your guilt, and are ready to take Christ to be your only Saviour, I can not
only say to you that you may be saved, but what is better still, that you will be saved.Ӡ
†
Charles H. Spurgeon, “Particular Redemption”. Available online: http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0181.htm