Does the Resurrection Prove Particular Redemption?

The topic of Limited Atonement, or better termed "Particular Redemption," has the ability to provoke the most ardent and sometimes hostile discussions. But to those who trust in the accomplished work on the cross, the trust that redemption was actually accomplished, and not just the theoretical possibility of redemption, particular redemption is the most comforting, most gracious, most loving, and most confident doctrine in which one can stand.

We, I think, can all agree that everyone limits the atonement. Either it is limited in its effect or in its extent. Either that atonement is limited in what it accomplishes, that is it does not really secure salvation for anyone, but only makes it potentially available should the person respond in faith or perhaps more accurately not resist the grace of God as it is extended to all. Or the atonement actually does secure the redemption of individuals, but only those in the eternal counsel of God, who chose to redeem our of His divine love, divine mercy, and divine goodness, which are all seen in His sovereign grace to sinners. Which we could then say limits the extent of the atonement. It is extended and is efficacious only to the elect.

Michael Horton writes, "To affirm a universal atonement, then, one is left with only two options: either to limit the atonement in its effect - that is, what it really accomplishes - or accept at face value the clear teaching of Scripture regarding the nature of redemption by embracing universal salvation. In other words, if Christ's death secured the redemption, propitiation, and satisfaction of divine justice on behalf of each and every individual, we must either affirm that each and every individual will therefore be saved since the atonement is effective in nature or that the work of Christ itself must be limited in its scope. Otherwise it is limited in its nature" (Putting Amazing Back Into Grace, pg. 137).

Loraine Boettner also chimes in on this: "The nature of a ransom is such that when paid and accepted it automatically frees the persons for whom it was intended. Otherwise it would not be a true ransom. Just demands that those for whom it is paid shall be freed from any further obligation. If the suffering and death of Christ was a ransom for all men rather then for the elect only then the merits of His work must be communicated to all alike and the penalty of eternal punishment cannot be justly inflicted on any. God would be unjust if He demanded this extreme penalty twice over, first from the substitute and then from the persons themselves. The conclusion then is that the atonement of Christ does not extend to all men but that it is limited to those for whom He stood surety; that is, to those who compose His true Church" (The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination, pg. 155).

Surely when we discuss and debate the atonement, we argue and look to the nature of the work of Christ on the cross and also look to the justice of God, as Boetner notes above. But, does the resurrection also prove particular redemption?

What moved me to ponder again this beautiful doctrine is reading the fourth chapter of the book of Romans. And what, in particular, that prompted me to pose this question is the statement that Paul makes in verse 25 of this magnificent book. "Who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification" (Rom. 4:25, ESV).

As you well know, chapter 4 is Paul's wonderful treatise on justification by faith. In this chapter he uses Abraham as the example of justification by faith versus works. In verse 20 Paul states, "No distrust made him (Abraham) waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith and gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised." Then he quotes from Genesis regarding the statement that Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness. This, Paul states, was written not only for Abraham's sake, but for ours also. And the bottom line is found in verse 24. "It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord." To those of us who believe the promises of God, who raised Christ from the dead, we will be counted as righteousness. Essentially speaking of the doctrine of justification by faith alone.

So here again I come back to the question. Does Christ's resurrection prove particular redemption? Paul states that He (Christ) was delivered up for our trespasses. That is to say, He was crucified in order that He would satisfy the justice of God and to pay a ransom for our sin. But Paul does not stop there. Christ was raised for our justification. Paul is saying that the resurrection is the proof that Christ's sacrifice was sufficient in that it accomplished all that it was intended to accomplish. Justification was secured for the elect. The resurrection shows this. Therefore, would it not stand to reason that Christ did not die and therefore was not resurrected for those who would never be justified? And therefore the atonement was limited to those whom God graciously chose to save.

Elsewhere Paul states that "those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, an those whom he justified he also glorified" (Rom. 8:30, ESV). Those whom God predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, God will call, and those whom are are called, will be justified. This also notes a particular redemption because the gospel call goes out to all of mankind (often called the external call) so not all that called (externally) will be justified. Only those who are called by the mysterious, secret working of the Holy Spirit will be justified. It was only these who Christ died for and it is only these whom His resurrection makes certain their justification.

Therefore, it would stand to reason that Christ's resurrection as well shows the particular redemption of a people who God, before the foundation of the world, set His sovereign, gracious, and effectual love upon. It is this confident understanding that, in Christ, we have assurance of the forgiveness of sins and assurance of recieving the inheritance that is stored up for us, and assurance of an eternity spent serving and worshipping the God who is. To God alone be the glory and in Christ alone is redemption.