By Mark W. Christy, PhD
In 2 Peter 2:1, the apostle seems to quite clearly suggest that false teachers have been “bought” by the Lord: “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.”[i] These false teachers, however, could not have been born-again or regenerate because Peter goes on to say (among other things) that these people are destined for “blackest darkness”, in other words hell (2 Pet 2:17).
On the surface, these verses would seem to suggest that Christ has paid for the sins of even those people who will go to hell. If true, this would certainly affirm the doctrine of unlimited atonement (UA). This doctrine, held by Arminians among others, states that Jesus died for the sins of all people and not just the elect (those chosen by God). To be clear, this doctrine still affirms some people will still go to hell, but their final eternal destination is ultimately dependent on their response to the gospel. For a short summary of the potential problems associated with holding to this doctrine, a link has been made available in the endnotes.[ii]
In response to those who hold to UA, many point to the teachings in the Bible which declare that God chooses those who are saved even before creation and that some people have not been given to Christ by God (John 6:38-39; Eph 1:4). If this is so, then only those who are to be saved will have been bought by the blood of Christ. This view is held by those who support the doctrine of limited atonement (LA). Once again, the link below in the second endnote may prove helpful to better understand this doctrine and the evidence that supports it.
For those who continue to hold to the LA position, a closer examination of 2 Peter 2:1 will be required. Obviously, the context of Scripture mentioned previously would seem to direct the reader of this verse away from a view that supports the idea that false teachers have had their sins paid for by Christ’s death. In the context, the false are shown to be disobedient to their Master (the Lord) and even denying His Lordship by their sinful actions. Peter describes their willful rebellion in this way: “Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties” (1 Peter 2:10). Their behavior seems very much in line with Simon the Magician who, though having expressed belief in Christ and received baptism, tried to purchase the Holy Spirit for money (Acts 8:13, 19).
In response, Peter replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God” (Acts 8:20-21). Though Simon had publicly taken on Christ by proclaiming his identification with Him through baptism, he remained inwardly deceived because his heart was not right. Therefore, he could not receive the Holy Spirit even though he had convinced himself that he was bought by blood of Christ.
This example of Simon seems to demonstrate how a person who professes belief in the gospel (or one who goes so far as to openly declare its tenets) could be, at least in their own reckoning, bought by the Lord. In the end, their works demonstrate the truthfulness of their confession. For this reason, Jesus tells his faithful followers how to recognize false teachers: “You will know them by their fruits” (Matt 7:16). A few verses later, Jesus especially seems to have false teachers in mind when he warns his listeners that these unconverted preachers will not inherit heaven even while they arrive there confidently expecting a warm welcome: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter” (Matt 7:21).
[i]All Scripture references are taken from NASB1995.
[ii]Mark W. Christy, “John 1:29 and the Atonement”, BattleHardenedBeliever.com, Available at: https://battlehardenedbeliever.com/?p=1910