Penal substitution atonement; unlimited atonement; Christ died for all humanity
The Church of God (Cleveland) affirms that Christ's death is a substitutionary atonement: Jesus bore the penalty for human sin on the cross, satisfying divine justice and making reconciliation between sinners and God possible. The atonement is unlimited — Christ died for all people, not just the elect, making salvation available to all who believe.
The substitutionary character of Christ's death is understood as the basis for justification: Christ was punished in our place, taking upon himself the wrath of God against sin. This understanding is rooted in the Wesleyan-Arminian tradition, which emphasizes that God's grace and Christ's redemption are universally offered to all. The atonement accomplishes both objective justification (God's declaration) and subjective appropriation (the believer's acceptance through faith).
Key Distinctions
- Primary theory:
- Christ's work is objectively redemptive; becomes effective through faith
- Scope of atonement:
- unlimited — Christ died for all; salvation available to all through faith
Scripture References
Sources
- Church of God in Christ Jesus Book of Doctrines and Discipline
- Church of God (Cleveland) official teaching on atonement