Required reading
Christ's doctrine of the atonement by George Smeaton (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 6.
My summary
Firstly today Smeaton examines for whom the atonement was specially offered. He unpacks Jesus' statements that his atonement was for:
(i) many;
(ii) His sheep;
(iii) His people;
(iv) the children of God scattered abroad;
(v) His friends.
Smeaton also teaches us that the atonement extends to:
(i) all times in the world's history;
(ii) all nations.
What grabbed me
A lot of material on limited atonement today.
It was interesting to read Smeaton's response to the dilemma of making a general call whilst there is limited atonement: 'That the offer of salvation is to be made to all men is the conclusion to which every one must come who duly considers that Christ so preached. Though He knew all those that were His, all that were given Him by the Father, He yet invited sinners indiscriminately (Joh.vii. 3 7), nay, complained of their reluctance and refusal when they set at nought His proposals of love (Matt, xxiii. 37; John v. 40). A special atonement and invitations sincerely made on the ground of it to mankind indefinitely are quite compatible. They will be found to meet at some point though their junction be beyond our present line of vision. And our Lord and His apostles, by their mode of preaching, give us an example how to proceed. They brought motives and expostulations to bear on men as if no hard question were in the way.'
A bit more discussion would have been appreciated.
Next week's reading
Read Chapter 7.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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