Definite Atonement

Justification of Theologizing

Michael Riccardi, To Save Sinners: A Critical Evaluation of the Multiple Intentions View of the Atonement (Eugene, Oregon: Wipf and Stock, 2023): "there is no conflict between faithful exegesis and sound theology. Sometimes, well-meaning opponents of particular redemption mistakenly divorce exegesis and theology by making the argument that particularism is theologically sound (because, for example, it provides for unity in the saving will of the Trinity, and because it is consistent with the other doctrines of grace, which these opponents affirm) but exegetically untenable (because of a set of passages that speak of Christ’s death for 'all' or for 'the world')."

He goes on to address this concern, "However, such thinking misconceives theology as something other than the coherent holding together of the exegesis of individual texts of Scripture, and it misconceives exegesis as something other than that which must press to a conclusion and be coherently held together with the exegetical conclusions of the rest of Scripture. Genuine systematic theology must arise from sound exegesis, and genuine exegesis must issue in sound systematic theology; they can never be at odds with one another."

Explaining further, "Berkhof rightly observes, 'There seems to be a lurking fear that the more we systematize the truth, the farther we wander from the presentation of it that is found in the Word of God.' His reply is also accurate: there is no danger of sacrificing exegesis to 'the system' so long as that system 'is not based on the fundamental principles of some erring philosophy, but on the abiding principles of Scripture itself' (Berkhof, Systematic Theology, 15). This is the standard at which this project aims."

Romans 5:8

Romans 5:10 says, “For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we will be saved by his life.” This shows that Christ’s death actually accomplished reconciliation, not potentially, but objectively, for those who were His enemies. It doesn't say we might be reconciled, but that we were reconciled through His death. This reconciliation leads certainly to final salvation, proving that the atonement was definite and effective for a particular people, not a general offer to all.

Penal Substitutionary Atonement

Penal Substitutionary Atonement (PSA) is the doctrine that Jesus died in the place of sinners, bearing the penalty they deserved, satisfying the justice of God fully and finally.

If Jesus truly paid for someone’s sins, then those sins cannot be punished again. God is just and if His justice is satisfied, His wrath will not continue against those sins. Therefore, those for whom Christ died must be saved.

If Jesus died for every person without exception in this way, then either everyone must be saved (which the Bible clearly denies), or His death fails to save people. This would mean Christ only made salvation possible, not actual, but this contradicts PSA and the propitiatory nature of Christ's sacrifice.

Since not all are saved, and God will still judge many, Jesus could not have been a substitute for them. Therefore, His atonement was definite and effective only for those He intended to save, the elect, the church, His people, His sheep.

1 John 2:2 says, “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.” This doesn’t mean every person without exception. If Christ had truly borne the sins of all, then no one could face judgment. But many do.

John 3:36 says, “He who believes in the Son has eternal life, but he who disobeys the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” This proves that some still bear God’s wrath, showing Christ was not a propitiation for them.

John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” The love of God is shown in the giving of the Son in such a way that all the believing ones are actually saved.

This proves definite atonement. Jesus died specifically for His people, not for all people. His death actually saves people.

Implication

As a result, the content of our gospel proclamation should be shaped by the theological clarity and precision afforded by the doctrine of definite atonement. Evangelistically, we do not presume to know for whom Christ died by declaring to every individual, "Christ died for you." Rather, we declare the free and sincere offer of the gospel: "If you repent and believe in Christ, you will be saved, and you will know that His blood was shed to cleanse you from all your sins."

This preserves the integrity of the universal gospel offer while maintaining the particular efficacy of the atonement. It is consistent with the biblical pattern of apostolic preaching, which calls all people everywhere to repent, while affirming that the atonement effectively secures salvation for the elect alone.

Salvation, therefore, is not contingent upon the will or decision of man, but is rooted in the eternal purposes of God (Eph. 1:4–5; Rom. 8:29–30). The ground of our assurance lies not in the strength or quality of our faith itself, but in the objective reality of Christ's substitutionary death and victorious resurrection. Faith, as the instrument by which we lay hold of Christ, is thus evidence of election and provides assurance subjectively. Thus, our confidence in salvation rests solely and securely in the finished work of Christ, applied by the Spirit, and confirmed through persevering faith and fruit.

Proof Texts

Scope of the Atonement

"She shall give birth to a son. You shall call his name Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins." - Matthew 1:21

"I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I’m known by my own; even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep." - John 10:14–15

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father who has given them to me is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of my Father’s hand." - John 10:27–29

"I pray for them. I don’t pray for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours." - John 17:9

"Take heed, therefore, to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and God which he purchased with his own blood." - Acts 20:28

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it." - Ephesians 5:25

"Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works." - Titus 2:14

"They sang a new song, saying, 'You are worthy to take the book and to open its seals, for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood out of every tribe, language, people, and nation.'" - Revelation 5:9

Poured out for Many

"For this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins." - Matthew 26:28

"He said to them, 'This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many.'" - Mark 14:24

"Even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." - Matthew 20:28

"For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." - Mark 10:45

"Because one died for all, therefore all died. He died for all, that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who for their sakes died and rose again." - 2 Corinthians 5:14b–15

"So Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, without sin, to those who are eagerly waiting for him for salvation." - Hebrews 9:28

"But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed... Therefore I will give him a portion with the great. He will divide the plunder with the strong; because he poured out his soul to death and was counted with the transgressors; yet he bore the sins of many and made intercession for the transgressors." - Isaiah 53:5, 12