The following topic, “Ransom Implies Restitution” was the title of an address given by Pastor Russel.

The Apostle Paul’s words are my text:

“There is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (1 Tim. 2:5-6.)

At another time we may consider the forepart of this text, but on this occasion invite your attention to the last clause, which explains that our Lord’s sacrifice was a sacrifice for ALL mankind, and that in due time this great matter will be made known to ALL mankind with a view to their blessing by and through the fact and the knowledge of it.

Perhaps I should take a moment here to Answer–a question which I understand is frequently raised in respect to my preaching, namely,

Why do you give so much more attention to doctrinal questions than do other ministers?

Why don’t you give more attention to scientific matters, political, moral reforms and practical living?

My reply is in the words of our Savior, “After all these things do the Gentiles seek” all these are worldly matters, while the doctrines of Christ and the apostles are peculiar to Christians. Hindus, Confucians and Islamist have a common interest in the affairs of the world and its moral, physical and political welfare, but the Christian minister is divinely directed to “preach the word;” and the word ignores worldly science, politics, reforms, etc., and especially deals with doctrines. I am, therefore, merely following the example of Christ and His apostles, and the reason why this seems peculiar is that the majority of ministers largely neglect to heed the scriptural injunction and the apostolic models. When they do occasionally touch upon doctrine, they, alas, too frequently “teach for doctrines the commandments of men, from the creeds of the past five centuries rather than from the inspired word of the Lord.”

It may be well here briefly to notice the value of doctrines the value of those teachings which differentiate true Christians from nominal Christians, and the remainder of mankind. The ignoring of the doctrines of scripture and the substitution of the doctrines of men during “the dark ages” have brought the world to the place where all doctrines are tabooed and distasteful, because said false doctrines from “the dark ages” are unreasonable and repulsive to the growing intelligence of the world. Instead of ignoring doctrine however, God’s people should seek and find the proper interpretation of the Bible, which is everywhere reasonable, logical and harmonious with itself and with sanctified commonsense. This, then, is my apology for so frequently discussing the “doctrines of Christ” and of the prophets and of the apostles.

NOT A LIMITED ATONEMENT

Our text declares a great fact, which Christian people generally ignore if they do not deny it the fact that our Lord Jesus’ death was a ransom price whose scope covers and includes THE ENTIRE FAMILY OF ADAM. The fact that the scriptures do speak of an especially elect class which is being gathered out of the world during this gospel age, and which is promised joint heirship with Christ in His coming millennial kingdom the fact also that the great mass of mankind at the present time and throughout the 6,000 years of the past have been “without God and without hope in the world,” because without a “knowledge of the only name given under heaven and among men whereby we must be saved” these facts have led many to the erroneous conclusion that our Lord’s death has not been and never will be a ransom price or offset price for the cancellation of the sins of mankind in general.

Their reasoning has indeed certain logical features; for if the world in general has not received and if it never will in future receive a blessing at the Lord’s hands it seems the logical conclusion must be that justice did not receive and will never receive a ransom price for the world’s share in original sin. In seeming harmony with this erroneous thought is the fact that only a comparatively small proportion of humanity has been specially favored of the Lord with an opening of the eyes of their understanding, and the privilege, through faith, of coming back into harmony with their Creator. Seemingly supporting this view also are the scriptural statements respecting the present narrow way and straight gate which “few” find, and the many references to the “elect” as constituting only a “little flock.”

Building upon this erroneous foundation of a limited atonement for original sin, the fathers of the dark ages and since have proceeded to give various explanations of the eternal torture of the world of mankind the non-elect those not favored by the Almighty with a knowledge of the only name given under heaven and among men whereby, we must be saved. These false doctrines built upon the “traditions of the elders” have had a nauseating effect upon intelligent minds; they contradict the scriptural declaration that God is just, loving, wise and all powerful.

What we need to correct the nausea, to refresh the hearts, to rein-spire love and zeal for the Lord and His word is to see with clearness what are the true doctrines of the scriptures respecting these matters.

The scriptures declare that our Lord Jesus “by the grace of God tasted death FOR EVERY MAN.” They show conclusively that His death was a “propitiation (satisfaction) for our sins (the church’s sins); and not for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2.) But to appreciate these statements to see how they can be and are true, it is necessary to know that the scriptures nowhere declare that the present gospel age is the only period of divine favor, the only period for the forgiveness of sins, the only period of reconciliation with God, the only period of opportunity for being taught of God and of obtaining His blessing and favor, lost through original sin in Eden.

As soon as we grasp this great fact our eyes begin to open to other facts.

(1) That prior to this gospel age, during the Jewish age and previously, all the world except that one little nation, were aliens, strangers, and foreigners from God and His promises, “without God and without hope of the world” (Eph. 2:12); and

(2) That the scriptures clearly indicate a “world to come,” a future epoch, in connection with the affairs of this world, under new and better conditions than now prevail.

(3) That future epoch is called the “day of Christ,” “the day of the Lord.” It is indeed the millennial day, the thousand years of Christ’s reign for the very purpose of blessing and uplifting the world of mankind, for whose sins His death was the atonement price and who are to be healed by His stripes.

(4) We find that every invitation and injunction of the gospel age are with a view to the selection of an elect class, who shall be joint heirs with Christ during that millennial age, to share with Him in the great work of general human uplift.

Continued with next post.