By Nick Bibile
Today we continue our study on limited atonement, focusing on the concept of ransom. But first, let us examine the meaning of atonement. We have heard this word often, yet what does it truly mean?
In our previous study, we saw that atonement was necessary because of sin, which separates us from God. The word itself, atonement, literally means at-one-ment—the state of being reconciled to God. In the Old Testament, when the Israelites sinned, God required atonement:
Exodus 32:30 – “And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD, peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.”
Atonement also involves making satisfaction for offenses:
Leviticus 5:16 – “And he shall make amends for the harm that he hath done in the holy thing, and shall add the fifth part thereto, and give it unto the priest: and the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering, and it shall be forgiven him.”
In short, atonement is reconciliation with God, often linked with redemption, which means to “purchase back” what was lost by the payment of a ransom. Today, we focus on this ransom.
Christ left His Father’s bosom to enter this wicked world to save what was lost.
1 Timothy 1:15 – “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”
But who are these sinners? Every human being or the elect, His church? Scripture clarifies:
Romans 5:8 – “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Notice the word us—not everyone, but the elect, the body of Christ.
Romans 5:9 – “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”
Who is justified? It is the church—the elect—whom Christ loves, sanctifies, and presents without blemish:
Ephesians 5:25-27 – “He loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
The Greek word ekklesia (ek-klay-see’-ah) means “called out,” emphasizing that the church is God’s elect, assembled to worship Him.
Romans 5:10 – “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”
We were enemies of God, enslaved to sin, heading for destruction. Christ, as Mediator (mesites, “one who intervenes to reconcile two hostile parties”), came to save the lost.
1
Timothy 2:5
– “For
there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man
Christ Jesus.”
Hebrews
8:6
– “But
now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he
is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon
better promises.”
Hebrews
9:15
– “And
for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means
of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under
the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise
of eternal inheritance.”
Christ’s mediatorial work is prophet, priest, and king. He reveals the Father (prophet), represents the elect to God (priest), and rules the church as head (king).
John
17:9
– “I
pray for them: I pray not for the world...”
Matthew
28:18
– “All
power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
Through His death, Christ reconciles us to God.
The English word redemption comes from the Latin redimo, meaning “to buy again.” The Greek New Testament uses several terms:
agorazō
– “to buy”:
Revelation
5:9 – “…thou
wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every
kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.”
Acts
20:28 – “…feed
the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”
exagorazō
– “to buy out of the hands of another,” emphasizing
deliverance from God’s justice:
Galatians
3:13 – “Christ
hath redeemed us from the curse of the law…”
Galatians
4:5 – “…that
we might receive the adoption of sons.”
lutrō
– “to deliver a captive by paying a ransom”:
1
Peter 1:18-19 –
“…not with corruptible things…but with the precious blood of
Christ…”
Matthew
20:28 – “…to
give his life a ransom for many.”
Christ’s ransom is limited in application: He did not die for every person, but for the elect, His spiritual Israel. As the Israelites paid a ransom for themselves (Exodus 30:12–16), so Christ ransomed only His own.
John Flavel said: “Christ hath redeemed His people, not as a part of mankind in general, but as a select number, whom the Father hath given Him from eternity.”
The elect were spiritually poor, enslaved by sin, and under God’s wrath:
Ephesians
2:2
– “…in
time past ye walked according to the course of this world…children
of disobedience.”
2
Corinthians 8:9
– “For
ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich,
yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might
be rich.”
Christ’s ransom raises the elect from spiritual poverty to eternal riches: from beggars to royalty, from slaves to priests.
He did not pay the ransom to Satan, but to God the Father, satisfying His justice:
Matthew 1:21 – “…thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
The elect are related to Christ, know Him personally, and seek Him daily:
Luke
8:21
– “…My
mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do
it.”
Galatians
4:4-6
– “…God
sent forth his Son…that we might receive the adoption of sons. And
because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into
your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”
Jonathan Edwards: “The church is the daughter of God, not only as he has begotten her by his Word and Spirit, but as she is the spouse of his eternal Son.”
Christ’s ransom secures full salvation for His elect, delivering them from sin, wrath, and eternal death. To the true Christian, this is marvelous, unsearchable grace, demonstrating the infinite love of God toward His chosen.