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Scripture Topic Guide

Bible Verses About Limited Atonement And Particular Redemption

Early Christian writings do not give a clear, repeated teaching of limited atonement or particular redemption in the later Reformed sense. They do strongly teach that Christ died as a ransom, sacrifice, and redemption, and several writers apply that saving work to believers, the church, or the elect in specific passages.

Clement of Rome, Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Origen, Hippolytus, Cyprian, and Lactantius all speak this way, but the wording is often broad and does not usually spell out that Christ died only for a fixed, limited group. Some texts do mention the elect, the sheep, or “many,” while other passages say Christ’s blood brings remission and redemption more generally, so the evidence is mixed and often indirect.

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Key Passages

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How to Study Limited Atonement And Particular Redemption

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Start with the clearest command or anchor text Read the primary passage in context before building doctrine from supporting references.
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Scripture Map

Grouped passages make the topic easier to scan, compare, and teach.

35 references

Foundation Texts

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

Bible passage with redeemed from every nation

Supporting Passages

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Redemption through his blood

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Forgiveness tied to redemption

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Core shepherd passage for the topic

After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

Covenant blood language

By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

Blood shed for many

Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

Blood shed for you

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Precious blood of Christ

For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And if his oblation be a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offer it of the herd; whether it be a male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the LORD.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

Direct Bible text joining election and sprinkling of blood

And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

Direct Bible wording about the elect's sake

Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Shows salvation language aimed at the elect

But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

Direct sheep language often used in this discussion

As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Sheep language tied to Christ's life given for them

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

Ransom language

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For thus saith the LORD, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

If there be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the ransom of his life whatsoever is laid upon him.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.