FAQs Mondays: How Can Man Be Rescued? Part 2

We began looking at the atonement of Christ in last week's post. You can read those questions and answers here.

Did the atonement, in connection with the purposes of mercy which God had toward his people, render their salvation certain?
 

It did.

Did the atonement, in its saving design, embrace more than the elect?
 

The elect only; for whatever he designed he will accomplish, and he saves only "his people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21).

And yet, was it not, in its nature, of sufficient value for the salvation of all mankind?
 

It was; and hence God is said to have sent His Son into the world "that the world might be saved through Him" (John 3:17). See also Heb. 2:9; John 1:29; 2 Cor. 5:14-20; 1 Tim. 2:6; and 1 John 2:2.

Did Christ suffer in his human or his divine nature? 

It is impossible for the Deity to suffer; and we are taught; it was his soul that was "exceeding sorrowful" (Matt. 26:38). See also Isa. 53:10.

Were Christ's sufferings very severe?
 

No doubt the were. In the garden he was 'in an agony," and sweat "became like drops of blood calling on the ground" (Luke 22:44), and on the cross he cried, "My God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matt. 27:46).

What should be the practical effect of this great doctrine, upon every one to whom it is made known?
 

It should lead us to devout gratitude to God for his unspeakable gift, and to love him who "first loved us" (1 John 4:19), and "while we were yet sinners" (Rom. 5:8) died for us. 

Is it the duty of every one to believe on Christ, as the Savior of sinners?
 

It is. "Whoever does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:16).

Will the condemnation of those who do not believe on him, be greater than it would have been, had he not died?
 

It will. "This, then, is the judgement: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19).

Are you personally interested in the atonement of Christ? 

Again we conclude with an open ended question. It is an important question that every student must answer for themselves.  It is a great question to start the year. Are you personally interested in the atonement of Christ? Do you have the peace with God that it purchases? Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?  Feel free to leave a comment, I would love to hear from you.

Note: All quotations are the HCSB. I took the liberty to update the quotations for easier reading.