Was Christ's death on the cross just a down payment for everyone's sins?

Question

... paid in full after a life lived for him?

Answer 1

Christ's death on the cross was not for "everyone's sins"; it was for the sins of the elect only. If Christ died for everyone, then everyone would be saved. (Even Arminians do not believe in universal salvation!) Christ's death was intended to secure the salvation of those for whom it was intended to save--not just to make it possible for sinners to be saved through "free will" (something that the Bible clearly does not teach according to Paul in Ephesians 2:1 concerning the spiritual death of sinners before "quickening" by the Holy Spirit.)

Salvation is not like buying a car or a house on credit. Jesus paid it all when he died on the cross. My sins were expiated IN FULL over 2000 years ago. The idea that I have to add to the work of Christ by living for him after making a "decision for Christ" is roundly repudiated by Paul in Ephesians 2:8-10. This passage alone confirms the idea that my good works are an outflow of the salvation that Christ purchased for me at Calvary. And God the Father accepted Christ's payment for my sins to be COMPLETE and settled.

God's truth will stand!

EDIT: Searcher (see below) states that John 3:16 refutes the doctrine of particular redemption. It does not. "For God so loved the world..." In my view, this does not relate to the extent of the atonement; it does show the MAGNITUDE of God's love for sinners...God-hating rebels who stick their fists in God's face. It does not speak on the subject of the number of people for whom Christ died. However, it does magnify the LOVE of our precious Holy Heavenly Father.

Answer 2

What Jesus did on the cross was payment in full for those who accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour. Not a payment later but now if your saved.

Answer 3

If you bought a very expensive gift for the one you loved most in the world, because you knew your beloved could never ever afford it, but that it would also transform their life forever, how would you feel if that person spent the rest of their life paying you back, or trying to? You would be hurt that they didn't understand that it was a *gift*, an expression of your love for them.
On the other hand, if that beloved simply became aware of the depth of your love, had their eyes opened to how much you really loved them, because of that gift, they would naturally *act* on their love for you, living with you in a way that expressed that love and gratitude day by day, hour by hour. That's the sort of love response God and Jesus want to see, not us trying to "make brownie points"--which is really a kind of pride. "See? See? I really am good enough." Instead of "Thank you, thank you, you are so loving and kind" which is what they want, what we all want.

Answer 4

No, it was paid in full, until you drop the ball and never ask forgiveness. You have to live for
christ, but until proven otherwise, and you do not ask for forgiveness, then maybe it won't work. Living your religion is part of the deal.

Answer 5

I agree with everyone except Kidd's answer when he stated without facts that Jesus died only for a few select people.

John 3:16 refutes that concept very clearly.

While the Bible does share that God did predestine his love for us, it is because he knew what he would have to do, and so he sent his son to die for everyone, even the ones that won't accept him.

It saddens me when a person can't accept this sacrifice, just because of lack of evidence or because they don't agree with some of the things that have been said about him or its not logical. The fact is this, whether your historical documents verify the Bible or not, that we believe in faith, that there was someone about 2,000 years ago who loved us enough to be willing to sacrifice himself for our sins through a brutal payment.

And I cannot thank him enough for doing this.

Answer 6

Christ accomplished all that was necessary to destroy Satan's evil dominion and to reconcile sinful mankind with God.

The church that Jesus personally founded, authorized, and eternally guaranteed has been permanently and singularly empowered to implement and supervise all the details of the continuing process.

A lifetime of full and active participation in the work, worship, sacraments, and devotions of the authentic church ought to just about do it.

Answer 7

no. it was payment in full. look at the thief on the cross next to Him, he had no chance to live a life for Christ, all he could do was ask forgiveness. and Jesus said "today you will be with me in paradise"

Answer 8

Supposedly paid in full. I thought I understood this when I was a child, but now that I am an adult, I have no clue how forgiveness of sins and a brutal murder relate.

Answer 9

Do you really feel spiritual secure knowing that a ritual of human sacrifice is at the foundation of xtianity? In fact, literallly doing what Jesus commanded would have had his followers be human sacrifices as well.

The cult of the death of a god to provide salvation is alot older than Jesus. Pilate really put this question to the Jewish mob; "Shall I, as your "high priest", lay the sins of the people on Jesus as the sacrificial goat, or Barabbas as the Azriel goat by laying the sins on him and driving him out to the desert to die like Mad Max in "Thunderdome".

Jesus never said he would die for your petty sins, though I'm fairly sure he knew that he would be a martyr. His consistant message was about living in the "Kingdom of Heaven" NOW, and how to attain that state of being, and a glorified whole body after death. Most of what he had to say was kept as a secret within his close circle of apostles, and given out as parables to everyone else -- that was the beginnings of xtian Gnosticism - those who said they new what the secrets were...

Answer 10

No, it was all paid in full when Jesus died on the cross. However, you must believe in Him to receive this salvation gift, and if you believe in Christ, you will live for Him. Not because you must earn your salvation but because God has already paid it in full for you. God bless.