Required reading
The Works (Vol 4) of John Newton (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Sermon XVI (The lamb of God, the great atonement).
My summary
This week Newton preaches on 'Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.' (John 1:29)
He considers:
(i) the title here given to Messiah, 'the Lamb of God';
(ii) the efficacy of his sacrifice, 'He taketh away sin';
(iii) the extent of it, 'The sin of the world'.
What grabbed me
Although Newton may not have been as clear as he could be on limited atonement, he is no universalist: 'If, because the death of Christ is here said to take away ' the sin of the world,' or, (as this evangelist expresses it in another place,) the 'whole world,'*it be inferred, that he actually designed and intended the salvation of all men, such an inference would be contradicted by fact. For it is certain that all men will not be saved. It is to be feared, that the greater part of those to whom the word of his salvation is sent, perish in their sins. If, therefore, he cannot be disappointed of his purpose, since many do perish, it could not be his fixed design that all men should be finally and absolutely saved. '
The Bible is clear - not all are saved.
A thought that should strike us with fear for our own souls.
Next week's reading
Read Sermon XVII (Messiah despised, and rejected of men).
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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