I have been taught all my life that Jesus died for everyone, but recently I read that Jesus died for the elect only. Is this true?
Christians, across the sweep of church history, have held a diversity of views on the atonement. In the midst of such diversity, one aspect that has brought all evangelicals together is the doctrine of penal substitution ??? that Jesus died in place of the sinner, bearing the penalty for their sin, on the cross.
Among those who affirm this doctrine, there are generally two views on the extent of the atonement. The Calvinists have maintained that Christ died for the sins of the elect only (limited atonement), while the non-Calvinists have defended the view that Christ died for the sins of all humanity (unlimited atonement). Although there are good biblical arguments on both sides, in the final analysis, the weight of the arguments seems to tip the scales in favor of "unlimited atonement."
First, numerous passages in Scripture speak of Christ's atonement in universal terms. John the Baptist introduced Jesus as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). The Gospel of John says, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). Paul says that Jesus "gave himself as a ransom for all" (1 Timothy 2:6). The writer to the Hebrews says that Jesus tasted "death for everyone" (Hebrews 2:9). John writes that Jesus Christ "is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2).
Second, a handful of passages seem to point out that some for whom Christ died will perish. Paul in Romans 14:15 says, "By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died." Peter says of false teachers that they deny "the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction" (2 Peter 2:1). These portions of Scripture make a case for the fact that some for whom Christ died will not be saved.
Third, several passages state that the gospel is to be universally proclaimed. Jesus said, "this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations" (Matthew 24:14). Paul declares "the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people" (Titus 2:11). The offer of salvation to everyone can only be sincere and legitimate if Christ indeed died for them all.
From these and other Scriptural reasons, one can reasonably assert that Jesus died to pay the penalty for the sins of the whole world, not just the elect. His death is sufficient for all, efficient only for those who believe!