The atonement is specifically designed for the elect, as seen in various biblical passages that highlight Christ's purpose in saving His people.
The doctrine of limited atonement, a key tenet of Reformed theology, asserts that Christ’s atoning sacrifice was intended to save the elect rather than make salvation possible for all. This is rooted in the understanding of God's sovereignty and the specific purpose of Jesus' incarnation. Scripture affirms this in passages such as Matthew 1:21 where it states, 'He will save His people from their sins.' The idea that Christ’s death could be an indiscriminate offer undermines this truth and aligns more closely with Arminian theology, implying that Jesus’ sacrifice has an ambiguous or conditional efficacy based on human response rather than God's sovereign plan.
Scripture References:
Matthew 1:21, 2 Timothy 2:10
Commentary