No, Christ died for everyone, not only for believers.
Les Feldick teaches that Christ's death on the cross paid the sin debt for every human being, making it a universal provision. However, this payment does not automatically apply to anyone; it must be received through faith. The offer is for the whole world, but only those who believe will be saved.
1 John 2:2 — This verse directly states that Christ is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world, emphasizing the universal scope.
2 Corinthians 5:19 — This verse reveals that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, showing the worldwide scope of Christ's work.
The Bible clearly teaches that Christ's sacrificial death was for all people, not just a select few. 1 John 2:2 says, "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world." This indicates that His atoning work has a universal scope. Similarly, 2 Corinthians 5:19 states, "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." The word "world" here shows that the entire human race is included in the potential reconciliation. Furthermore, the writer of Hebrews declares that Christ "tasted death for every man" (Hebrews 2:9). This reinforces that His death was for every individual, not merely the elect or believers. The Bible also shows that salvation is conditional on faith, as seen in Romans 3:25, "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood." Thus, while the provision is universal, the application is by faith.
Les Feldick strongly rejects the doctrine of limited atonement, which teaches that Christ died only for the elect or for believers. He asserts that the Bible clearly states that Christ died for every human being, and that His payment for sin was sufficient for all. However, Les emphasizes that this universal payment does not automatically save anyone; it must be personally appropriated through faith in Christ's blood. He illustrates the meaning of "propitiation" by pointing to the tabernacle in the Old Testament, where every element—from the outer court to the Holy of Holies—was a picture of Christ's finished work on the cross. This comprehensive picture shows that propitiation is not just a one-time act but encompasses the whole work of redemption. Les also highlights that Christ is the propitiation "for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2), rejecting any notion that His death was limited in its scope.
Les Feldick teaches that propitiation is a comprehensive term that encompasses everything Christ accomplished on the cross. He uses the tabernacle picture to explain this: all the elements—the Ark of the Covenant, the mercy seat, the showbread, the candlestick, the altar of incense, the brazen laver, the brazen altar, the sacrificial lamb, and the surrounding court—are all pictures of Christ's finished work. In essence, propitiation refers to the entire work of salvation, which includes His shed blood, death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 3:25).
Les Feldick is emphatic that Christ died for the whole world, not just for believers. He points to 1 John 2:2, which says that Christ is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. He also references 2 Corinthians 5:19, which says that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. However, Les clarifies that while Christ's death was for everyone, it does not automatically apply to everyone; it must be received through faith.
Les Feldick explains that although Christ died for everyone, the benefits are not automatically applied. He says, "It doesn't automatically apply to them until they believe." This means that while the provision is universal, the actual application of salvation is conditional upon faith. Therefore, not everyone is saved because not everyone exercises faith in Christ's blood.
What Does the Bible Say About Church Discipline and Sin?
Now that's a glorious, glorious, what shall I say, assurance, see, that even when we sin, we're under the blood, just like Israel was back there in Egypt, and nothing could touch them. The death angel couldn't touch them. They were under the blood, and see, this is where believers have to find themselves. Now, that's not licensed.
Rejection of Limited Atonement
Les directly rejects limited atonement, stating that Christ paid the sin debt for every human being, yet it does not apply until they believe.
Propitiation as the Tabernacle Picture
Les explains that propitiation includes the whole tabernacle—every element from the court to the Holy of Holies—as a picture of Christ's finished work.
World Reconciled to God
Les cites 2 Corinthians 5:19 and Hebrews 2:9 to affirm that Christ's death reconciled the whole world and that He tasted death for every man.
What Is Propitiation? Romans 3:25-31 Finally Explained
Everything in that tabernacle spoke of Christ, and when you take the whole picture and put it together, that's propitiation. At least that's the way I like to look at it. Now, the Greek scholars probably wouldn't agree with me totally, but nevertheless, that's basically what propitiation is all about.
Sin Debt Paid for All
Les emphasizes that Christ paid the sin debt for every human being, so no one can say God didn't supply their need.
Propitiation for the Whole World
Les uses 1 John 2:2 to show that Christ is the propitiation not only for believers but for the sins of the whole world.
Propitiation Through Faith
Les explains that Christ becomes our propitiation through faith in His blood, making faith the means of application.
1 John 2:2: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
This verse is central to the question, explicitly stating that Christ's propitiation covers the whole world, not just believers.
2 Corinthians 5:19: To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
This verse shows that the reconciliation accomplished at the cross was for the entire world, not just a select group.
Hebrews 2:9: But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
This verse directly states that Christ tasted death for every man, affirming the universal scope of His atoning sacrifice.
Romans 3:25: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
This verse introduces the concept of propitiation and emphasizes that it is received through faith in His blood.
No, Les Feldick explicitly rejects limited atonement. He teaches that Christ died for everyone, not just for believers. He states that the Bible says Christ paid the sin debt for every human being, but it doesn't automatically apply until they believe.
Christ's death was sufficient for all, but it is not automatically applied. According to Les Feldick, salvation is received through faith in Christ's blood. Therefore, not everyone is saved because not everyone exercises that faith.
Propitiation, as Les Feldick explains, is an all-encompassing term that covers everything Christ accomplished on the cross. It includes all the pictures of the tabernacle—from the outer court to the Holy of Holies—and refers to His shed blood, death, burial, and resurrection, all done on our behalf.
Watch the Teaching: What Does the Bible Say About Church Discipline and Sin?