RADIO MESSAGE
We believe according to the scriptures that our Lord Jesus Christ actually accomplished the redemption of his people. We believe in the Bible doctrine of LIMITED ATONEMENT. That is to say, we do not believe that the blood of Christ was shed in vain. Most people are of the opinion that Christ died for every man in the world, that he shed his blood to provide salvation for all men and that he is trying to save the whole human race. If that were true then our Lord would be terribly frustrated, because multitudes are in hell whom he tried to save. And if he died to give all men life, with the intention of saving all men, then he died in vain, because all men are not saved. Such blasphemies we cannot and will not endure. Those who assert that Christ died for all men limit the power of the atonement, they limit the merits of Christ's death, and they limit the efficacy of his blood. But the Word of God limits the scope of the atonement only. It teaches us that the blood of Christ is infinite in its merit, efficacious in its purpose, and limited in its intent only. He did not try to redeem all men. That would make his death a failure. Rather he actually did redeem all his elect, all who believe on him unto life everlasting.
Listen to the Word of God. Hear what God says about the death of his Son. "For the transgression of MY PEOPLE was he stricken ... It pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify MANY; for he shall bear THEIR iniquities" (Isa. 53:8, 10,11). "He shall save HIS PEOPLE from their sins" (Matt. 1:21). "This is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for MANY for the remission of sins" (Matt. 26:28). "I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth his life for the SHEEP" (John 10:11). "He loved ME and gave himself for ME" (Gal. 1:20). "Christ HATH REDEEMED US from the curse of the law" (Gal. 3:13). "He hath made him to be sin for US" (II Cor. 5:21). "Christ loved THE CHURCH and gave himself for IT" (Eph. 5:25). "By his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, HAVING OBTAINED ETERNAL REDEMPTION FOR US ... Now once in the end of the world hath he appeared TO PUT AWAY SIN by the sacrifice of himself" (Heb. 9:12, 26). "He laid down his life for US" (I John 3:16).
What do all of these scriptures tell us about the death of Christ and his atoning sacrifice at Calvary? They tell us that his death was LIMITED AND PARTICULAR in its design. It was a SUBSTITUTIONARY SACRIFICE FOR SIN. The Bible no where says, or even implies that Christ died for every person in the world. He died for his sheep, his elect, the people whom he loved, and for whom he prayed. In a word, Christ died for every person in all the world who believes on him, and he did not die for any who perish in their sins. The death of Christ was AN INFINITE, COMPLETE SATISFACTION OF DIVINE JUSTICE. Our Lord Jesus Christ paid the debt of his people, dying in our place, under the penalty of God's holy law. And THE BLOOD OF CHRIST SHED AT CALVARY WAS EFFECTUAL. He actually put away our sins. He actually redeemed us. He did, by his mighty atonement, justify our souls and reconcile us to God, securing as an absolute certainty the eternal salvation of all his elect. Not one soul for whom Christ died at Calvary shall ever perish. The cross of Christ shall never be discovered a miscarriage. "HE SHALL SEE OF THE TRAVAIL OF HIS SOUL AND SHALL BE SATISFIED!"
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Complete atonement Thou hast made, |
We bless and praise Jesus Christ our God and Savior for his glorious, effectual redemption. Amen.
Don Fortner, Pastor
Grace Baptist Church
Danville, Ky.