The Early Church Fathers - The Atonement

The scriptures foretold us that there would be enemies of the Cross and as we looked back at the teachings of the Gnostics that Jesus did not come in the flesh and so could not have died a bodily death. We saw Calvin teach that "Nothing had been done if Christ had only endured corporeal death". Now we see Reformed Theology teaches that God's plan for the attonement was only for the elect.

The truth is Jesus atoned and was the propitiation for the sins of the whole world, and this has been taught from the earliest days of the church and has never changed.

Jusin makes this clear that the "whole human race will be found to be under a curse" and he continues to question that " If, then, the Father of all wished His Christ for the whole human family to take upon Him the curses of all, knowing that, after He had been crucified and was dead, He would raise Him up, why do you argue about Him, who submitted to suffer these things according to the Father's will, as if He were accursed, and do not rather bewail yourselves?" for Justin makes a case that yes Jesus paid for the whole human family, but that it was the responsiblity of man to believe and repent saying " If, indeed, you repent of your sins, and recognise Him to be Christ, and observe His commandments, then you may assert this; for, as I have said before, remission of sins shall be yours".

Justin [a.d. 110–165]

 

The First Apology of Justin:
Chapter XCV.--Christ took upon Himself the curse due to us.

 

http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf01.viii.ii.xxviii.html

 

"For the whole human race will be found to be under a curse. For it is written in the law of Moses, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law to do them.' And no one has accurately done all, nor will you venture to deny this; but some more and some less than others have observed the ordinances enjoined. But if those who are under this law appear to be under a curse for not having observed all the requirements, how much more shall all the nations appear to be under a curse who practise idolatry, who seduce youths, and commit other crimes? If, then, the Father of all wished His Christ for the whole human family to take upon Him the curses of all, knowing that, after He had been crucified and was dead, He would raise Him up, why do you argue about Him, who submitted to suffer these things according to the Father's will, as if He were accursed, and do not rather bewail yourselves? For although His Father caused Him to suffer these things in behalf of the human family, yet you did not commit the deed as in obedience to the will of God. For you did not practise piety when you slew the prophets. And let none of you say: If His Father wished Him to suffer this, in order that by His stripes the human race might be healed, we have done no wrong. If, indeed, you repent of your sins, and recognise Him to be Christ, and observe His commandments, then you may assert this; for, as I have said before, remission of sins shall be yours. But if you curse Him and them that believe on Him, and, when you have the power, put them to death, how is it possible that requisition shall not be made of you, as of unrighteous and sinful men, altogether hard-hearted and without understanding, because you laid your hands on Him?