For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
– 1 Timothy 4:10 (NKJV)
Within this verse Arminians once again see evidence of an unlimited atonement. Here Paul makes it clear that God is the Savior of all people, but only those who actually appropriate God’s salvation through His Son are truly the elect. Even Calvinists acknowledge that God bestows some grace upon humanity; otherwise we would all be destroyed by virtue of God’s holiness. Yet Arminians go even further in that we admit that God does bestow His graces upon humanity (see Matthew 5:45 or Acts 14:17), but we believe that God has given grace for all humanity to turn from their sins and repent. His command is that all should believe and be saved (John 3:16-17, 36; Acts 17:30-31).
Like Paul, the Arminian labors and suffers reproach because we believe that God’s heart is to save all who would repent (2 Peter 3:9). The gospel is not for a few but for all who would come and be redeemed by grace (Matthew 28:19-20). While few heed Jesus’ call and become His disciple (Luke 13:22-30; 14:25-35), the gospel call is for all (Mark 16:15; Romans 10:13). We become the elect of God in Christ Jesus who gave Himself for us (Matthew 26:28; Mark 10:45; Luke 19:10; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; 1 Peter 1:5; 2 Peter 1:10-11).
That is the beauty of the atonement of Christ. So powerfully was that precious blood shed on the cross for our forgiveness that it reaches out to all who would come to the cross and be saved. The cross is not limited in its power to redeem. When Jesus died on the cross He died for the unrighteous (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18). Jesus’ death and resurrection provide the basis for our eternal relationship with God (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). Through Christ we can now have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). God laid on Christ our sins (Isaiah 53:4-6) and anyone who has faith in Him and His blood can be saved (Acts 10:43). The call to repent and be baptized goes to all who would hear (Acts 2:38-39, 41).
I am aware that my Calvinist brethren will take exception to my view of the power of the atonement, but none will doubt that it is powerful or that, if God so desired, He could save all in Christ. Yet for us Arminians, the doctrine of the atonement goes further than mere speculation, for we do believe that God manifested His love toward humanity in the cross (Romans 5:8-9; 1 John 4:9-11). “But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone” (Hebrews 2:9 emphasis mine). The cross is the greatest single display of love ever!
Rejoice with me (even if you disagree) in the wondrous cross of Christ. Rejoice that our sins are forgiven in Jesus (1 John 1:7) and that we have peace with God through Him. Rejoice that Satan is defeated through the cross (Colossians 2:14-15; Hebrews 2:14-15; 1 John 3:8). Rejoice that we can now praise God in His presence through Christ Jesus our Lord!
[Link to original post and comments at Roy Ingle’s website.]
