In recent editions of this blog, we have examined several Christian doctrines found in the second chapter of the apostle Paul’s first epistle to Timothy: universal prayer, the unity of God, the universal love and concern of God, and the unique mediatorship of Jesus Christ. Now we will take a brief look at the doctrine of the universality of Christ’s atonement.
Some people believe that 1Timothy 2:6 and 4:10 teach that all people will be saved. This is not the case, however. As Dr. David Jeremiah writes: “Even though God desires all … to be saved, it does not mean that he will save everyone (Paul is not a universalist). People must either accept the gospel in faith or reject it. The key decision in life is to determine in whom or in what to place one’s trust.”
In his book “God and the Nations,” G. Christian Weiss writes: “The verbal teachings of Jesus Christ are filled with emphasis on the worldwide character of His own mission, and of the redemptive mercy of God.” One example is when Jesus read a passage from the prophet Isaiah in the synagogue. Weiss writes: “There were no chapter divisions in the Hebrew Bible, and it was altogether likely that Jesus read the whole passage which now comprises chapters 61 and 62 of Isaiah, for the two form a unit.” As Dr. Luke writes in the fourth chapter of his gospel, the people listening to Jesus in the synagogue “marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth” (verse 22). Just as there is a transition in Isaiah’s prophecy, so the attitude of the Jews in the synagogue changed when Jesus talked about Elijah and Elisha ministering to Gentiles.
Referring to Isaiah 62:2, Weiss writes: “This insistence upon personal righteousness, and this inference of worldwide service among the nations was what the people of Nazareth resented. They were content to receive God’s blessing but were not willing to practice the righteousness which God requires, nor were they disposed to have dealings with the Gentile nations of the earth, all of which the passage implies. They began to challenge His authority to speak thus to them. They reasoned that, after all, He was just a home-town boy, a carpenter’s son.”
The purpose of Christ’s coming is found in the “Scripture for the weekend” below. Three months ago, Christians celebrated the birth of Jesus and in two weeks, we will remember His death and celebrate His resurrection. The calendar is marked by the life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, yet many people are ignorant of the One who loved mankind so much that He left heaven in order to redeem us from sin.
Thank you for your prayers for the Quebec Radio ministry. These are days of great opportunity to proclaim the gospel on stations in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New York, as well as on the Internet. By God’s grace, many French-speaking people around the world will hear the message of salvation and trust in Christ.
Scripture for the weekend:“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 (NKJV)
By His grace,
Steve