Nature and Scope of the Atonement: part 1

Fads come and go, and the "sin of unbelief" as being the only sin for which men perish is a fad I'd like to help out the door. I agree that unbelief is a state where man in his sin is judged. He is commanded to believe the Gospel, and that is what he is to do.

To say however that the sin of unbelief is the only sin by which men are judged is an interesting claim. It is usually argued that in the scope and intention of the cross, Jesus died for "our sins", but also not only our sins, but the sins of the whole world. Hence the claim by the likes of Norman Geisler is that at the cross, Jesus made men savable but did not actually save anyone.

The argument is defended from the Bible by usually quoting 1 John 2:2, “and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.”

Usually no exposition is given. It is just assumed that any unbiased person may read the word “propitiation” and the word “world” and come to only one logical conclusion. The problem however is that we should never treat God’s Word in a cavalier fashion. Words must be defined and exegesis must be done. Otherwise our Traditions will overtake us. As they say, “You know what happens when you ‘assume’.”

The word propitiation means to satisfy the wrath of God and to expiate sin. So it is simply assumed that Christ must have satisfied our sins. We should not assume here that “our” means every believer ever. John was writing to a specific church with probably many Jews. Therefore John wanted to be clear that the “world” also had their sins forgiven as well.

Many believe the term “world” means “world”. They will say “world” means the whole cosmos. So I must ask, “Is Jesus satisfying the sins of Mars and Jupiter? Obviously we must allow the context to determine the usage of the term. John’s usage of the term “world” parallels the conversation Jesus had with Nicodemus in John 3:16. Jesus was teaching Nicodemus that salvation was not for just for the Jews, but for Gentiles in every nation as well.

This is exactly John’s meaning in 1 John 2:2. John however often uses the same word in nearly the same place in a different manner. In John’s Gospel chapter 17:9, Jesus is recorded as saying, “"I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me; for they are Yours;”

Jesus in His High Priestly prayer specifically does not pray for the “world”. He prays for the disciples and all those who believe through their word. In 1 John 2:15 John says, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
Obviously the term world has different meanings based on its usage.

The question still remains as to the meaning of 1 John 2:2. Does Jesus expiate the sins of every single person ever? Are we universalists? Will everyone be saved? Obviously the Bible speaks of people going to hell. Is it merely the basis of unbelief? Is unbelief not a sin? Is it merely a description of man? For what sin do men go to hell if unbelief is not a sin? The position is illogical and not supported by Scripture in any way shape or form. It is a horrible error. It is based on an autonomous free-will philosophy not taught anywhere in Scripture.

Men in the last judgment will be judged according to their deeds. It is our deeds and "fruit" that explains what kind of persons we are (believers or unbelievers). Notice Jesus' words in John 5:28-29 "Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment. "

Unbelief is the result of man’s sin. It is often referred to as original sin and total depravity. Men are judged for their sins. I will leave you with some passages, and you decide if all of men’s sins are forgiven except for unbelief (whatever that may mean).

Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

Rom 2:5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,

Rom 13:4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.

Eph 2:3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

Rom 3:9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin;


Rom 4:8 "BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT."

Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds.