The basic issue behind the concept of limited atonement is whether or not the cross of Christ is effective in accomplishing what God has intended or not. In the death of Christ was sin actually put away? Does it merely make salvation possible or does it effectively accomplish the salvation of God’s people? The Biblical picture is complete and certain: the death of Jesus Christ actually accomplishes what God intends. The death of Jesus Christ perfects and saves for all time those whom God intends.

We have all encountered self-styled “Four Pointers,” people who say they embrace the teachings of Reformed theology which are summarized in the TULIP acrostic.  The one difference is that they reject the “L” which stands for “limited atonement.”  Four-point Calvinists struggle with the biblical teaching of limited atonement, also called definite redemption, which holds that Christ’s death was intended by God as limited to and effectual for the elect only.  The doctrine that God has chosen some for salvation and not others is a sobering reality in and of itself, but when some Christians also have to consider the related truth that Christ did not die for all men but only for those whom God chose, these related doctrines often become more than some folks can comfortably embrace.  But should Christians deny the doctrine of definite redemption?  Let’s take a look at what the biblical writers say, and specifically what the Lord Jesus himself said about it.