Did Christ Die for the Whole World, or only part of it? Limited Atonement

[calv02] By David Cox v1 ©2011 www.coxtracts.com You may freely reproduce this tract for non-profit purposes

Calvinism teaches that Christ died for only the redeemed. For them, the decision of each person’s eternal destiny happened before the creation of the world. They promote this concept because it goes hand in hand with their concepts of man’s inability to repent, to believe in Jesus, and to act in any way in order to be saved. Practically, these concepts disturb and discourage the unsaved to come to Christ in place of motivating them to accept Christ. Clearly the Calvinist declares “no man can accept Christ as his Savior because God has not given him the ability to do so. He is actually uncapable.”

The Bible exhorts us constantly to repent of our sins and to follow the way of justice in order to be saved. Moreover, God exhorts us to believe in and receive (an action presented as completely within our ability and power) Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. According to the Calvinist, Christ died only for the sins of the redeemed, not for the sins of the whole world. Because this is not very popular (nor can one defend this position from Scripture) many Calvinists try to smooth this position by saying Christ died for the whole world, but the death of Christ was “effecacious” (effective grace) only for the elect. Calvinists propose “another gospel” and “another doctrine” which was not given by the Apostles. Continue reading →