Definite atonement Archives

Jesus’ death is not a loaded gun

Many Christians have an inadequate view of the death of Jesus. Many think that Jesus’ death is like a loaded gun. There’s a lot of potential, but the shot is not fired, salvation is not actually accomplished for anyone. Individuals, themselves, have to pull the trigger and then, and only then, is the shot is fired and our salvation is accomplished. The trigger is pulled, they contend, when we believe the gospel. Jesus thus potential died for all, but Jesus’ death is only really effective for those who pull the trigger.

The Bible has a different view of Jesus’ death.

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Jesus’ mission cannot fail

In my previous post I sought to show from John 10 that God has given Jesus a certain number of individuals who Jesus dies for. Jesus dies for them in order that the way to heaven might be provided for them and that their salvation might be secure. All those Christ died for will therefore be saved.

John 10 says the sheep are first the Father’s; then they are given to the Son; the Son lays down his life for his own sheep; they are kept in the hands of the Son and the Father; no sheep for whom Christ lays down his life ever perishes.

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Jesus must call his sheep (Redefining missions)

A well known secret at our church is that I am terrible at DIY. I can’t understand why though? I rate myself as very logical, analytical and somewhat handy; yet DIY escapes me. When I hang mirrors I drill into water pipes. I wrongly measured and cut the geyser-blanket three times in a row. I break things that weren’t broken. In fact, my wife pays me not to do DIY. Yet I love painting because there is a sense of achievement when you’ve finished. I painted a room this week and looked at the job-well-done with pride. In Christian ministry we seldom have the same sense off achievement. There is always the sense that there is more one could do: more people to visit, more work on your sermon, more ministries to be involved in etc. However, being a Christian should give us a massive sense of achievement when we think about the cross of Christ and world missions because, contrary to what we might think, God always achieves his purposes – in Christ and in world missions. Continue reading Jesus must call his sheep (Redefining missions)

Was Jesus a Calvinist?

The title of this post is somewhat naughty, almost like the question, “Does God believe in atheists?” By “Calvinist” I mean someone who follows the teachings of John Calvin. The name John Calvin is a swear word to many, but I hope to show you that Calvin’s theology should be our theology because it was a biblical theology, indeed the theology of Jesus Christ himself.

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