Jesus' Sacrifice: Limited Atonement For Future Sins?

The idea that Jesus' sacrifice covers all sins, past, present and future, is a contentious issue in Christianity. Some argue that Jesus' death was a one-off event that applies to everyone, while others believe that his resurrection means he cannot be considered a sacrifice for sins at all. The Calvinistic doctrine of limited atonement, for example, states that Jesus died only for saved Christians, not for the whole world.

Jesus' sacrifice applies to everyone, past, present and future

Jesus died once for all, so His sacrifice applies to everyone, past, present and future. As per Hebrews 9:27, Jesus' death means that everyone in the Old Testament period now has the foundation to be saved.

However, some people argue that Jesus cannot be a sacrifice for our sins since He came back to life. If He were, then His sacrifice would have also been a temporary one because one human life couldn’t possibly cover the sins of the multitudes who ever existed. Neither could one finite human life atone for sin against an infinite God.

The only viable sacrifice must be an infinite one, which means only God Himself could atone for the sins of mankind. Only God Himself, an infinite Being, could pay the penalty owed to Himself. This is why God had to become a Man and dwell among men (John 1:14). No other sacrifice would suffice.

Jesus' sacrifice is temporary

Jesus died once for all, so His sacrifice applies to everyone, past, present and future, as per Hebrews 9:27. However, it is important to note that Jesus' sacrifice is not a permanent solution to sin. It is a temporary fix, as humans continue to sin and require ongoing forgiveness and redemption.

The sacrifice on the Day of Atonement, for example, did not possess the power to cover the sins of the past year. This highlights the temporary nature of sacrificial offerings and the need for ongoing repentance and reconciliation with God.

Additionally, it is argued that Jesus' sacrifice cannot be considered a true sacrifice for sins since He came back to life. Under God's law, the death penalty is a just punishment for murder, even if it does not deter future crimes. However, in the case of Jesus, He did not remain dead, which calls into question the validity of His sacrifice as a true atonement for sins.

Jesus' sacrifice is infinite

However, some argue that Jesus cannot be a sacrifice for our sins since He came back to life. If He were, then His sacrifice would have also been a temporary one because one human life couldn’t possibly cover the sins of the multitudes who ever existed. Neither could one finite human life atone for sin against an infinite God. The only viable sacrifice must be an infinite one, which means only God Himself could atone for the sins of mankind.

The sacrifice on the Day of Atonement, for example, did not possess the power to cover the sins of the past year.

Fortunately, God's sense of justice doesn’t require the inflicting of an exact punishment for each act of sin by every individual human.

Jesus' sacrifice is not a payment

Firstly, it is important to note that Jesus' sacrifice applies to everyone, past, present and future. This is because Jesus died once for all, as per Hebrews 9:27. Therefore, his sacrifice is not a payment, but rather a foundation for salvation.

Secondly, Jesus' sacrifice cannot be considered a payment because it was not an exact punishment for each act of sin. If it were, Jesus would have had to suffer and bear the exact penalties for sin as mankind should have or did suffer. Instead, Jesus' sacrifice is seen as an act of suffering for our sins, rather than a payment for them.

Thirdly, Jesus' sacrifice is not a payment because it was not a temporary act. If it were, then his sacrifice would have only covered the sins of those who existed at the time. However, Jesus' sacrifice is infinite and applies to all mankind, both past and future. This is because God Himself, an infinite Being, is the only one who can pay the penalty owed to Himself.

Finally, it is important to understand that God did not sacrifice Jesus. Rather, Jesus willingly offered himself as a sacrifice (John 10:18). Therefore, Jesus' sacrifice is not a payment, but rather an act of obedience and love.

Jesus' sacrifice does not cover the sins of the past year

Jesus's sacrifice does not cover the sins of the past year. This is because Jesus's sacrifice was not a temporary one. One human life could not possibly cover the sins of the multitudes who have ever existed. Neither could one finite human life atone for sin against an infinite God. The only viable sacrifice must be an infinite one, which means only God Himself could atone for the sins of mankind.

Jesus died once for all, so His sacrifice applies to everyone, past, present and future, as per Hebrews 9:27. So once He died, then everyone in the Old Testament period now had the foundation to be saved. It was only conditional for them until He achieved what He did on the cross.

However, it is important to note that Jesus's sacrifice is not a blanket pardon for all sins. God's sense of justice doesn't require the inflicting of an exact punishment for each act of sin by every individual human. This is part of the basis for the Calvinistic doctrine of limited atonement, which says Jesus died only for saved Christians, not the whole world.

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