📌 Theological thought of the day... Did Jesus really ...take away the sin of the world? John 1:29 The next day he [John the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! Did Jesus actually take away the sin of the world referring to a real propitiation or was John merely speaking theoretically? Matthew 1:21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, FOR HE WILL SAVE HIS PEOPLE from their sins.” Again, is Matthews Gospel simply speaking theoretically when it says Jesus WILL SAVE His people? If Jesus took away the sin of the world in a real sense, there is another question that has to be asked. If world refers to EVERY SINGLE PERSON everywhere, then does that mean that EVERY SINGLE PERSONS SIN was taken away? If that were true, this would lead one to the belief of Universalism (the heretical belief that everyone will eventually get saved). Obviously Scripture doesnt teach Universalism. Since Scripture doesnt teach Universalism, how then are we to interpret this passage? What we must understand is that in Johns Gospel and epistles, the Greek word kosmos (translated as world) has at least seven different meanings, all of which are determined by CONTEXT. God is not unjust and would not require double punishment. If Jesus actually takes away the sin of the kosmos, then those who belong to the group of the kosmos will be saved, therefore kosmos in this context CANNOT refer to every single person. If it did, every single person would be saved. No. Kosmos has to refer to a particular group; a group that doesnt include everyone. Using the backdrop of the Old Testament, the Atonement offered by the Levitical priests were not universal in its scope. The Atonement was never meant for the Egyptians, Assyrians, or the Philistines. It was limited to the people of God. The true Israel of God. Jesus perfect Atonement accomplishes the exact same thing. It was made only for the Elect of God and it was 100% effectual for all whom it was intended. The Elect of God, whom God choose before the foundation of the world, is the kosmos of which John the Baptist was speaking.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Dec 2014 15:57:49 +0000
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