For Whom Did Jesus Die?

For whom did Jesus die? Maybe that is not a new question to you or maybe it is a new idea to consider. The question at least implies an idea that sounds quite different than: Jesus died for the whole world. If the question is new it may be a little shocking.

This connects with the previous posts which discuss the recent acronym T.U.L.I.P. which is representative of the doctrines of salvation as laid out at the Synod of Dordt. The “L” is for “Limited Atonement” (which will be referred to as “Particular Redemption” below). What must be said about this doctrine that unpacks the extent of Christ’s sacrifice, is that many who would affirm Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints would outright deny any limit of Christ’s atoning work, that is to say: a denial that anyone was excluded from being an object of Christ’s sacrificial death.

With that in mind I desire to move forward with great awareness and respect to those who differ on this. I desire this to be a time of reasoning. Where I believe there is error in a particular approach to understanding and explaining the atonement I will move to address it. This will be done in a series of three posts:

• Beginning here we will have an introduction to the discussion so that I may introduce the topic for any who are unfamiliar with what is meant by the idea of Christ’s death being for particular people and not “all”. With that I will address some helpful points for Bible study. Ones that are standard across the board no matter what you are studying, yet ones that I believe often get neglected when this doctrine is studied.
• The second post will address a few helpful passages which I believe create a solid foundation to believe there was a particular people for whom Christ died.
• Finally, in the third post I will answer common verses which are put forward to oppose the doctrine of “Particular Redemption”.

Define Terms

Wayne Grudem in his Systematic Theology defines this subject in his chapter on the atonement as follows: “Christ died for particular people, that he foreknew each one of them individually and had them individually in mind in his atoning work.”

Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms writes this: “Jesus’ death secured salvation for only a limited number of persons (the elect), in contrast to the idea that the work of the cross is intended for all human kind.”

Remember that these are definitions, not necessarily reflections on the writers. One last thing, be sure to check out the pocket dictionary. It would be a very helpful resource to have on hand…or in pocket.

Common Concerns

Just as Total Depravity and Unconditional Election are the objects of concern to some so also is Limited Atonement (Particular Redemption).

Lets take a look at some of these objections with are raised.

What About John 3:16

I remember when I first started reading about the doctrine of Particular Redemption I was talking to my sister about it and she pushed back with: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” I am not sure if my sister would agree now with her objection from ten years ago, yet nonetheless it is a common objection for many. I will put forward two responses to this particular objection:

1. Doctrines & Passages: Christian beliefs and teachings are never based on one particular verse. That is not to say “verses” are irrelevant. However, remember that verse divisions/numbers were added later. Christian beliefs are based on passages as a whole. To understand John 3:16 one should really look at John 3:1-21 to see the big picture. Now with that in mind it is almost never beneficial to say I believe this or that because this verse says such-and-such. Anyone can make any verse say what they want. Hilary Clinton in her 2016 concession speech (18:10) quoted Galatians 6:9 using it in a way I highly doubt Paul had intended. We must think and reason based on what passages say, not so much “verses”.
2. Whoever Believes: The use of this verse as an argument against particular redemption is based on the assumption that anyone on their own, without the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, can come to God on their own. That assumption must first stand up to the weight of what scripture says about the spiritual condition of humanity apart from the grace of God as addressed in the doctrine of Total Depravity. Can a man or woman go to God in belief without the leading of the Spirit of God or has sin so effected the human existence that he or she resists unless the Spirit work? Here is where the previous point (Doctrines & Passages) and this point merge. To answer this question as to whether or not a man can come to God without prompting from the Spirit we can take a look at some texts leading up to John 3:16.

“The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”

John 1:9-13

It is the will of God which brings an unreceptive people to believe and be born again. Now this passage comes early on in John and therefore is meant to inform how we continue to read the book. So as we continue and come to John 3:16 let’s turn our attention to a passage which follows shortly after which connects to 1:9-13.

“And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

John 3:19-21

Once again John gives commentary (what I like to call “divine commentary”) on the narrative of his book. He picks back up on this theme of “the light has come into the world…” In this commentary which continues the theme of Jesus as the light he utilizes a common writing style seen throughout his work: to say the same thing in multiple ways. He speaks repetitively of the following: love for darkness, hatred of light, and wicked works. He sets the stage in this passage while continuing his thought from 1:13 to show God as Savior. Here he concludes: “so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” Seeing the progression of John we see that belief from 1:12 and now the doing of what is true are carried out “in God.” This is God working and moving to lead and enable belief in us. To this we should not be surprised for if our belief was the cause of new birth we would have something to boast about. Yet the clear testimony of scripture is that salvation is of grace so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 4…check out the whole chapter).

To conclude, when one reads the flow and context of John 1-3, then arrives at John 3:16 he will understand that “whoever believes” is doing so because God has enabled him because that individual was the object of God’s delight and affection long before creation, and it was God’s design to rescue him from sin and judgement (Romans 8:29-30).

Is that Fair?

Another common objection is in the realm of fairness. Sometimes this objection is worded differently, yet with the same idea in mind: That does not seem very loving. For now we will address the objection from the perspective of”fairness”.

As we think about fairness let me ask you: Have you or someone you’ve talked to ever thought of the Great Flood as a horrific act by God to millions of people? Have you ever thought that God went overboard (no pun intended) when he wiped out all people except eight persons? On a smaller level this is an example of the “it’s not fair” argument. What would have been fair would have been for sinful Noah and family to be wiped away with all the rest. Yet, there was mercy shown. We should not charge God with villainy by his sending the flood, but instead should worship him for his mercy as displayed toward Noah.

Once again we are posed with an objection to the doctrine of particular atonement that is based on a presupposition. We must presuppose that God is in some way indebted to humanity if we say, “It is not fair that Jesus wouldn’t die for everyone.” That thinking does not come from the Bible. After all, the word “fair” is a casual way of speaking about what is right and just.

For a holy and righteous God the “fair” relationship is for him to deal with us as law breakers and criminals. He is the Judge of all; it would be quite fair for him to condemn all, for all have sinned. That is fair; that is good and just.

Now in light of that if God had sent Jesus to die only for one person and let all of the hundreds of billions of all other souls continue in sin and onto Hell, he would be merciful and just. It would be fair.

Here is where our theology about the sinfulness of man comes in, either intentionally or accidentally. When you argue that it is not fair that Jesus died for some and not others you are making humanity a victim instead of a breaker of God’s law. God would have been good and right to have let all of Adam’s children throughout the generations remain in sin and precede to Hell. So when it is mentioned that even one person does not receive that fate it must be responded to with amazement. Yet, it is not just one, for John tells us in Revelation:

“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 

Revelation 7:9-10

A countless multitude of men and women and children have been redeemed. This was not done as an outflow of justice because God owed them, but it was done out of an abundance of mercy to those who did not deserve it. So let us not object by saying that it is not fair for Jesus to die for some and not all. Instead let us praise him for dying for any at all.

Should We Do Evangelism???

YES!!!!

Objection: If Jesus died for a particular group then evangelism is pointless:

• 1) Because we do not know who is a part of that group therefore we would be disingenuous to offer salvation to someone for whom Christ did not die; and
• 2) If Jesus died for them they will end up forgiven whether I tell them or not.

To the first objection: We must evangelize because we are commanded to from Genesis 1 to Revelation. As we evangelize we are mindful that nowhere in scripture are we charged to be selective as to who we preach to. The names and number of the elect are only known to God. It would be disingenuous of a Christian to tell someone they can be forgiven if the Christian knew that Jesus did not die for them. But no one has that knowledge.

To the second objection: God has determined the beginning, continuance, and ending of all things (Isaiah 46:9-10). God not only chose persons unto salvation for whom Jesus would come to die, but he also chose the ways in which that person would hear about Jesus’ sacrificial death. You my friend may be the way in which God has chosen for that person in your life to hear of the sacrifice made for him or her.

Conclusion

Part of me hopes a particular thought and concern is running through your head right now: Sean, where is the scripture to base this doctrine? Yes, I only dealt with one verse (John 3:16), and that not to affirm the doctrine of particular redemption, but to disprove a faulty assumption. The purpose of this post has been to address objections and unhealthy presuppositions, while laying out healthy study habits. Yet I do genuinely hope you are thinking: Sean, where is the scripture to base this doctrine? I hope that for two reasons:

1. That is how we all should feel about Christian belief. There must be scripture as the basis.
2. I hope you will checkout next weeks post where I will give arguments from Bible passages (not individual verses) to show why we should see the atonement of Christ as a work for a particular people.

Two Applications:

1. Semper Reformanda: “Always Reforming” (semper reformanda) is a phrase from the Protestant Reformation yet is an mentality rooted in scripture. That is to say all of life is to be constantly and continually reforming according to scripture. How we love our neighbors, live with our family, participate in our churches, and abide in Christ is to constantly be under the scope of scripture: examined and refined. My challenge to you as we explore this doctrine for the next few weeks is to approach it with Bible and mind opened. Specifically if you are the person who has only ever heard that Jesus died for the whole world. If that is you let me ask you this: Can you explain and defend that idea from the Bible? I am not saying it cannot be done, but I am asking you: Do you believe or presume Jesus died for the whole world? If this is something you have presumed, as many have, and no shame, then I encourage you to bring an open Bible and open mind to the table next week and let yourself be challenged.
2. If you are reading this post I am assuming you are a brother or sister in Christ since this blog is intended to address and encourage the brethren. With that “presumption” I would say to you: Rejoice for you are redeemed! We may disagree on how our redemption worked out specifically, yet at the end of the discussion we are both forgiven and alive in Christ. Academic study of scripture helps to inform us and increase our joy in knowing what God has done in Christ as revealed by the Spirit, yet such study itself should never be the source of our joy. As we think though passages on the work of Christ rejoice that you have been shown mercy because Christ received that justice you and I deserved. Rejoice! Pray with David in Psalm 51

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation…”

Psalm 51:12