Edwin H. Palmer, in the opening paragraph of the third chapter of his book, The Five Points of Calvinism, unfolds for us the problem of the third point of the Doctrines of Grace:
Limited atonement, or "particular redemption," is the third of the five points of the Doctrines of Grace. The doctrines are Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the saints. This third point divides many Christians, even those in the Calvinist tradition. There are so-called four point Calvinists and even four-and-three-quarter point Calvinists who embrace the sovereignty of God in salvation by believing the other four points, but are inconsistent in their theology by rejecting limited atonement."For whom did Christ intend to die? Whose sins did Christ actually pay for? For whom did Christ go to hell? Whom did Christ reconcile to God? For whom was Christ a substitute? What was His intent, His purpose in dying? To save everyone or only those whom God elected? For a long time orthodox Christians have answered these questions in two different ways. The Arminian has taught universal atonement; whereas the Calvinist has taught limited atonement."
Only the consistent universalist does not limit the atonement of Christ in some way. The universalist believes that Jesus died for all mankind and that everyone will be saved and go to heaven, even Esau, Judas, and Hitler. But the Bible is clear that Esau, Judas, and anyone else who does not believe in Jesus Christ is condemned to an eternity in hell, separated from God forever, never to be redeemed.
Both the Arminian and the Calvinist limit the atonement of Christ. The Arminian limits the atonement in its power to save; whereas, the Calvinist limits the atonement in its extent. The Arminian supports his belief with an appeal to such passages as I Jn. 2:2; II Cor. 5:14; and Jn. 4:2. The Calvinist turns to Jn. 6:37-40; Matt. l:21; Jn. 10:15, 26; Jn. 15:13; Acts 20:28; and Eph. 5:25. The Calvinist sees a limited or particular atonement in the fact that Christ died for "His people," for "His sheep," for "His church," and for "His Bride". Additionally, the covenantal Calvinist points to the Covenant of Grace which was initiated between the persons of the Godhead.
God the Father covenanted with the Son and the Holy Spirit to choose the elect for salvation. God the Son covenanted with the Father and the Holy Spirit to die for the elect. God the Holy Spirit covenanted with the Father and the Son to draw, convert, convince, seal, and sanctify the elect whom the Father had chosen and for whom the Son would die.
The Bible teaches a unity in the work of the three persons of the Godhead. it is not that the Father chooses the elect, and the Holy Spirit converts and sanctifies the elect, but the Son dies for everyone. That is disunity - Just as it is disunity for the Father to choose the elect, the Son to die for the elect, but the Holy Spirit to be ineffectual in drawing, convincing, converting, and sanctifying the elect.
The Father sent His beloved Son to die for those whom He had chosen. Lovingly, the Son has lost none whom the Father has given Him (John 6:39), but became a curse for His sheep, His people, His church, His bride.