Why preach the Gospel if Jesus Atonement covers all people?
Q: Why preach the Gospel if as some say Jesus Atonement covers all people?
A: Does his sacrifice cover & save all men?
Such a teaching says "Come to Jesus and trust His blood that covers billions of people currently burning in Hell." Actually it would be better to trust in your own faith since that's what actually makes the difference, not Christ's blood. Of course that understanding is wrong.
By definition universalism/unlimited atonement is inaccurate and unbiblical. Such ideas are to be rejected. We need to be careful here. As noted it is dangerously close to discounting Jesus' blood that needed to be shed for redemption, and it is completely unbiblical if referring to supposed universal atonement. The idea that Jesus shed His blood for people who were already suffering divine wrath means His blood wasn't the difference-maker.
Christ's blood isn't a license to sin but there is application that is required as evidence of true salvation.
His Sacrifice is unlimited in it's value, but limited in it's application. The atonement only applies if you believe in Christ. The work of the triune God in the redemption of sinners isn't pending man's action. Yes He draws and converts us, yes we agree with the Gospel at that time and repent and recieve it, but it's only cuz of God's work at the same time [as to our believing/trusting in Him]. He only converts those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of Life.
Who will enter eternal life evermore to be with Jesus? Revelation 21:27: " only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life."
Revelation 20:15
"And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire."
Luke 10:20
"Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in Heaven."
We are told constantly all over Scripture man is a sinner, sinners who die in their sins, without Christ as Savior will await Judgment and eternal wrath:
on Sin and Judgment
The Bible consistently emphasizes the reality of sin, the consequences of remaining in that state, and the necessity of Christ as Savior. Below are key verses that illustrate these themes.
Man as a Sinner
1. Romans 3:23
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
This verse establishes that every person is a sinner, highlighting the universal nature of sin. That theres something seriously wrong with us. And across Scripture & from the beginning it says "why", and how it gets fixed.
2. Isaiah 53:6
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all."
It underscores the tendency of humanity to avoid God's design purpose, plan, path for us.
Consequences of Sin
1. Romans 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
This verse contrasts the consequences of sin—spiritual death—with the gift of salvation through Christ. It shows those in Sin are without Christ's sacrificial atoning work.
2. John 3:36
"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
*See also John 3:16-21
Here, the serious consequence of rejecting Christ is made clear: the abiding wrath of God.
Awaiting Judgment
1. Hebrews 9:27
"And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment."
This verse highlights the inevitability of judgment that follows death for everyone.
2. Revelation 20:12
"And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books."
This depicts the final judgment where all will be held accountable for their actions.
The Need for Christ
1. John 14:6
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'"
This verse emphasizes that salvation can only be found in Christ.
2. Acts 4:12
"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
"God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood--to be received by faith, He did this to demonstrate his riqhteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished- he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus." Romans 3:25-26
This reinforces that Jesus is the sole source of salvation.
These verses collectively convey a sobering truth about human sinfulness, the ultimate judgment awaiting those who do not have Christ, and of the essential need for the Savior to escape eternal wrath.
And this warning includes false converts and idolators in a false Christian religion or beliefs:
Matthew 7:21-23
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'"
John 3:36
"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
Matthew 8:12
"But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
This verse speaks to the fate of those who reject the gospel and the resultant anguish they will experience.
Matthew 22:13
"Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'"
Matthew 13:41-42
"The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."
Here, the imagery reflects judgment and the severe consequences of sin.
Luke 13:28
"There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out."
These scriptural references and the Gospel itself serve both as warnings and calls to repentance, urging individuals to seek a relationship with Christ to avoid such a fate.
These serve as warnings about the eternal consequences of sin and rejection of Christ. If Christ died for all, then none would go to Hell. But since sinners are warned and told that happens if they die without Christ, and are commanded to obey the Gospel or perish, then unlimited atonement us a false teaching, we must reject, and understand clearly.
Believers are commissioned at salvation to go proclaim the Gospel and lead folk to salvation & disciple them. If Jesus work applies to everyone then theres no need to point folk to Christ. And all would be livung perfect or transformed lives (possessing the Holy Spirit and living out righteousness), but the world lives in sin so that's not reality. Likewise none would be Hellbound. But we know Scripture is clear, without Christ as Savior, without God causing people to be born again, theyre Hellbound sinners without a Savior, without hope.
So the false teaching of Unlimited Atonement & Universalism (and those who taught it) need to be called out on the error, discipled and understand what Scripture really teaches. Since both of these false teachings became prevalent in modern churches, it needs correcting. And those who ate saved who belong to Christ will examine these things in truth, seeking the truth, and will like Apollos recieve these trusts and correction.
So in short,
1. Calvinist (limited Atonement) - Limited Scope, Unlimite 7 Power. - Christ blood covers all his elect that is why they are saved by his power. Those who reject Christ aren't covered by his blood.
● God is powerful to save.
●God saves all who will be saved.
●Jesus bought all who will be saved.
●Jesus laid down his life for His sheep
●Jesys did not lay down his life for others' sheep, not goats nor wolves.
2. Arminian (unlimited atonement) - limited in Power, unlimited in Scope - Christ's blood shed for all (but not all are saved) therefore Christ sacrifice is not powerful enough to save even those who reject Him. ●God is powerless TO save.
●Shepherds don't lay down their lives for someone else's sheep.
●If untold millions are also suffering for those sins in Hell/eternal torment, it makes Christ a failure of a Savior; His covering and thus sacrifice would be powerless to save. Either He saves people from Hell & God's wrath against sin or He doesn't.
Note also if Jesus sacrifice covered all humanity, why would the Tribiulation of Judgment happen and Judgment Day [thats the day Jesus the Just Judge, judges sinners & damns them]. Why wouldnt Jesus return only be to bring peace & the new earth. And why did Jesus even go ascend to Heaven (and a Rapture of Believers be a promise we await) at all then? He would just stay here and rule and reign since all are saved, or immediately bring in the new Heaven and New Earth, since Millinial Kingdom of 1,000 yrs of praeace snd sin free isnt needed. So you can see how Universalism is heresy and unlimited atonement is a false teaching too.
And goes to show how very important it is to personally read, study and well know the Bible; God's special revelation to man, the authority on all things pertaining to truth, life and Faith. And to think deeply on these matters to understand them clearly, & not be caught up in false teachings.
Many wrong teachings in false and true churches come from misunderstanding Scripture, only believing what your church or denomination teach, and not examining it well as the Bereans did. Many come from illiterate places over time or common men not understanding Scripture, or teaching opinions not rooted in biblical truth. So if your church or denomination wrongly teach on a matter or doctrine then you learn the truth and hold to it [teaching your kids accurately too] and if another conservative protestant church teaches it accurately... move to that denomination to a local church there.
God bless
Related
Understanding Soteriology, the study of the biblical teachings of Salvation.
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