The "L" in TULIP

On Limited Atonement:

The point of Calvinism that "Four Pointers" and/or Arminians have a problem with is the "L". The doctrine of Limited Atonement. In my study of the scriptures, it's not such a hard doctrine to grasp, and in studying further, those who would accuse me of the blasphemy of limiting or lessening the atoning power of Christ are actually the ones guilty of limiting or lessening the power of Christ's atonement. As a preface, I would like to say that I am in no way questioning whether or not Christ's atonement was sufficient to cover all, I am simply suggesting, as many before me have, that it did not cover all. I have been told from the pulpit that I can't believe that the atonement was sufficient for all AND that it was limited to some, and that I'm basically a moron if I think I can. I don't know why I can't believe that, but my guess is that it's because it doesn't fit inside the box that that particular individual created for "five pointers" or "hyper-Calvinists". 

To begin, a foundation must be laid. What is atonement? The word in Hebrew means to pacify or make propitiation, but it has stronger roots. The idea of ransom, or the price of a life. The price of a life, according to Leviticus 24:17 is a life. The punishment for breaking the law was death. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22). The law of atonement was a vivid image of this requirement. Sacrifices had to be made regularly to atone for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16). An animal's blood had to be shed regularly because the price of a man's life is a man's life, not an animal's. When Jesus Died, he was the final atonement. The curtain in the temple was torn, and Jesus said Himself that it stands finished. 

I could write pages and pages on atonement, in fact the entire book of Leviticus covers it quite extensively. The question is, did the death of Jesus atone for all mankind? We know that the wages of sin is death, and we know that all have sinned (Romans 3:23) and that there is none righteous (Romans 3:10). Again, I'm not questioning the power of the atonement, only the application. What about those vessels of wrath prepared beforehand for destruction (Romans 9:22)? What about those who are not saved? The wages of sin is death; eternal damnation, and separation from God. Those wages are being paid in hell. That is the fulfillment of the law, the price of a life. If you believe that Christ's blood atoned for the sins of all, why are those who's sins have been atoned for paying the penalty for their sins? Was Christ's atonement not sufficient? Or did Jesus "purchase for God with [His] blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation." (Revelation 5:9)? The point is that death in hell is not merely a punishment for rejecting Christ. It is the wages of your sin. The atonement. If Christ's blood was applied to every human -- to all -- there would be no need to pay for one's sin eternally. Either Christ atoned for his elect, or Christ's atonement was rejected by those who's hearts were hardened (Romans 9:18) in which case they were not covered by his atonement and must pay the wages of sin. Or Christ's atonement covered all but was not sufficient to cover those who have not believed and have been condemned already (John 3:18).

Articles of Faith

-I believe that the Bible is God’s Inspired, Infallible, Eternal, Authoritative, Complete, and Sufficient Word. The 66 books of the Old and New Testament canon are Inerrant in the original Hebrew and Greek Manuscripts and are the believer’s final authority concerning faith and practice. (Matt. 24:35, II Tim. 3:16-17, I Pet. 1:23-25)
-I believe in the One Triune God, Eternal, Self-Existent in the persons of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit; one in essence, but distinct in person and function. I believe that the three persons of the Godhead are Co-equal, possessing all the attributes of God. (I John 5:7)
-I believe in God the Father, who is an Infinite and Perfect Spirit, the Source and Support of all things. He is Perfect, He defines Perfection.
-I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s son, Triune, and Co-Existent in the trinity, who became 100% human by His virgin birth, but remained 100% God. He came to Earth as an infant, was crucified as a man, and arose from death three days later, that to as many as God has given Him, He may give to them eternal life. (John 17:2) I believe that there is one God, and one Mediator between God and man, the Lord Jesus Christ. (I Tim. 2:5)
-I believe in the Holy Spirit, Triune, and Co-Existent in the trinity, who ministers to the saints, convicts, regenerates, indwells, sanctifies, illuminates, and gifts. I believe the Holy Spirit has given gifts to Christians to serve in and through the local church. I believe that of the gifts mentioned in the Bible, sign gifts (miracles, tongues and their interpretation, and prophecy) were temporary and given to the church in its infancy before the completion of the canon of scripture. In this belief, I reject the modern Charismatic movement.
-I believe in the six literal days of creation. (Gen. 1:5,8,13,19,23,31) The universe was created in six literal 24hour day/night cycles, and that on the seventh [24hour] day God rested from the work that He had done. (Gen. 2:2) I reject all forms of evolution, theistic or natural. I believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, and lived in a perfect spiritual state, but died spiritually when he rebelled, and is living in a totally depraved state, at enmity with God.
-I believe in God’s sovereign Grace, and particular redemption. I believe that He chose His elect before the foundation of the world. (Eph. 1:4) I believe that there is not one who seeks after God. (Rom. 3:11) I believe salvation is final, that it can not be lost. (John 10:28-29)
-I believe in the existence of Angels, spirit beings created by God for His glory and purpose. They are created beings, more powerful than humans, but not all-powerful.
-I believe in Satan who was Lucifer, the highest angel and his following, angelic beings who rebelled against God and were cast out of heaven. They constantly oppose God, and God’s people. (Isa. 14:12-13)
-I believe in the place of eternal punishment and separation from God, designed for Satan and his followers, called hell. (Ps. 9:17) Those people who are not God’s children will spend eternity in hell. I believe in heaven, God’s dwelling, where His elect will spend eternity in fellowship with Him.
-I believe in the spiritual unity of the body of Christ, the church, of which Christ is the head. God has ordained the church, which is comprised of all believers, for the equipping of the saints unto the furtherance of the gospel. They are to observe the two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper. (Matt. 28:19, I Cor. 11:23-26)

This is something I wrote down about 10 years ago. I borrowed points from several different churches/christian colleges. There is probably a lot I could add, and I may set out to do that some day.