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To: Alamo-Girl
Hi, A-G! This explanation might help reconcile the limited vs.universal atonement debate, at least IMHO:

"In the debate over the extent of the atonement, Calvinists will point to Scriptures connecting Christ's death to a specific people: his sheep (John 10:11); his friends (John 15:13); "many" (Heb. 9:28). Arminians will produce passages indicating that Jesus died for the "whole world" (1 John 2:2); "all" (2 Cor. 5:15); "every man" (Heb. 2:9)."

"These texts can be harmonized when we consider that the redemptive benefits of Christ's death are both specific and universal. God has placed the life-giving fountain of Christ's blood in His Church. Our Lord "loved the church and gave himself up for her" (Eph. 5:25). The Church was "bought with his own blood" (Acts 20:28). That makes the atonement of Christ specific; it was for His Church."

"But the atonement is universal in the sense that the Church's gates are wide open to "everyone who calls" (Rom. 10:13), to "him who is thirsty" (Rev. 21:6), to "all you who are weary and burdened" (Matt. 11:28). The invitation to believe, be baptized and enter the Church extends to "every tribe and language and people and nation" (Rev. 5:9). In that sense, the atonement is universal and available to all."

"Or, looking at in another way, Christ's blood is "the blood of the covenant" (Matt. 26:28). Jesus died for those in the covenant of grace, not for those outside of it. Is that fatalism? Not at all. Anyone may enter that covenant by becoming a Christian. It is open-ended. The atonement, therefore, is both limited and universal. It is both specific and general."

(Excerpted from: click)

82 posted on 06/16/2004 2:40:30 PM PDT by xJones
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To: xJones
"But the atonement is universal in the sense that the Church's gates are wide open to "everyone who calls"

If you believe the church saves anyone then a point may be valid

Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Calvinists agree that EVERYONE that calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. The question is who will call? What is the difference between those that call and those that do not?

The bible says that call comes from hearing the gospel (Faith come by hearing and hearing by the word of God )

Who is it that sees that a man comes under the preaching of the gospel? Who brings the man to repentance and to the call? That is the question

, to "him who is thirsty" (Rev. 21:6), to "all you who are weary and burdened" (Matt. 11:28). The invitation to believe, be baptized and enter the Church extends to "every tribe and language and people and nation" (Rev. 5:9). In that sense, the atonement is universal and available to all."

The question stands. What is the difference between one who thirsts ? How is is one is heavy laden with his sin and another is oblivious to it and enjoys it?

Is one smarter ? Luckier? Holier? What is the difference. We say it is the grace and the providence of God. What is your answer?

90 posted on 06/16/2004 3:40:16 PM PDT by RnMomof7 (You did not chose me, I chose)
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To: xJones
Thank you so much for the excerpt, xjones! Very interesting indeed.
110 posted on 06/16/2004 8:22:42 PM PDT by Alamo-Girl
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