Which has nothing to do with atonement. The atonement was for the purpose for Christ to have union, to have a relationship with man in this life and for eternity.
In contrast to your earlier assertion, the true purpose of the atonement transcends merely creating a bond between Christ and humanity; its foundational aim is to establish a profound relationship between God and mankind. Jesus Christ serves as our mediator and high priest, intricately positioned to intercede on our behalf before God, imploring for His mercy. At the solemn judgment seat, Christ will advocate for us, declaring, "I desire for him to be welcomed into my kingdom." In response to His Son's earnest plea, the Father will graciously grant this request, for He takes delight in His Son's impeccable obedience and righteousness.
Why would you reject the texts I cited which uses words that show universality.
The concept of "universality" encompasses various meanings, and it is important for those studying the Bible to carefully consider which specific interpretation applies to each passage they examine. Universal statements can often take two distinct forms: they may be aimed at individual people, addressing their unique circumstances and experiences, or they might focus on groups of individuals, reflecting shared characteristics or collective behaviors. This duality highlights how generalizations can either personalize a message or underscore broader societal trends.
Meaning 1: Every person in the world. -- Everyone.
Meaning 2: Every type of person in the world. -- Every race, sex, class, and nationality are represented.
Biblical statements of universality are typically understood in accordance with the second meaning above.
Lets start with the fall of man which required Christ to make atonement to God.
Adam sinned and the judgement against him was death, dust to dust. Man would simply be dissolved by death, cease to exist. Everything including God's world would be dissolved by death. This is restated in Rom 5:12. because of one man's sin, death came into the world and spread to all men. It is universal, nothing escapes it.
In that passage, Paul is not recounting a historical narrative. He does not focus on the timeline of death as it propagated from Adam to humanity at large. Rather, his central argument is that both sin and death are universal experiences that affect every individual. Every person in the world ultimately faces death, a consequence that arises from the universal act of sinning. However, it does not logically follow that because sin is a shared human condition, forgiveness must be bestowed upon all individuals without exception. Instead, it is clear that God exercises His sovereign choice in granting forgiveness selectively, offering it to some while withholding it from others.
If the cause was universal then the correction also will be universal. It could not be any other way. After all, Christ was defeating Satan who has the power over death and sin Heb 2:14.
Solution. Rom 5:18 gives an equation, death by one man's disobedience came to all men, so by one Man's righteous act came life to all men. Sounds very universal to me.
To fully grasp the meaning of Romans 5:18, it is essential to start with the foundational thesis presented by Paul in verse 15. In this pivotal statement, he seeks to illustrate a powerful truth: the magnitude of God's grace far surpasses the consequences of human transgression. Paul meticulously highlights the striking asymmetry between sin and grace, drawing the reader's attention to this profound contrast. He invites us to delve deeper into this relationship, encouraging a richer understanding of how the overwhelming nature of divine grace eclipses the impact of sin.
In the earlier chapters, Paul presents a compelling argument that our justification comes through faith rather than adherence to the works of the law. He emphasizes that this principle holds universally: anyone who places their faith in Jesus Christ will be justified, receiving God's grace and mercy. Conversely, this also implies that those who rely solely on the observance of the Law, without the anchor of faith in Jesus, will ultimately find themselves without justification. This stark contrast highlights the centrality of faith in the journey toward salvation.
In Romans 5, Paul uses two significant terms that illuminate his argument: "the many" and "all men." The phrase "the many" specifically pertains to the Jewish people, highlighting their unique relationship with God and His promises. Conversely, the term "all men" encompasses humanity as a whole, signifying a broader sense of inclusion. In this context, Paul skillfully employs the phrase "all men" not to imply universal salvation for everyone indiscriminately, but rather to convey the message that the opportunity for justification by faith is not limited to the Jewish community alone. Instead, he emphasizes that God’s promise extends to all peoples, inviting everyone into the fold of faith and grace.
Heb 2:14-15 states that Christ would take upon Himself the human nature of man. Why, so that by His incarnation He could defeat death by His own death because He arose from that death with our human nature, How universal is that?
While it may be commonly suggested that the fear of death is an experience shared by all humanity, Paul introduces his thought with a poignant reference to Isaiah and the names of his children. A closer examination of these names reveals the depth of Isaiah's unwavering faith and his steadfast hope in God's promises. Such a profound faith, akin to that which Isaiah possessed, is exceedingly rare among people and cannot be deemed a universal characteristic. This distinction clarifies that Paul is not advocating for the idea of universal advocacy by Christ; rather, his argument is centered on the exceptional individuals among us who embody the same level of faith that Isaiah displayed.
Heb 2:9, He tasted death for everyone.
Even so, the focus is on those whom God sanctified, which is not a universal human experience.
Paul again in I Cor 15:12-22 makes a very clear statement. If the dead are not raised, then Christ is not raised.
To understand Paul's argument, one must constantly bear in mind the question he is addressing. He is not arguing that unless everyone is resurrected, then Christ wasn't resurrected. In this instance, he responds to those who claim that the resurrection is not a real thing. He argues that since Christ has been resurrected, this proves that resurrection from the dead is a reality. In other words, since it is true that God raised at least one person from the dead, Jesus Christ, then resurrection does take place. This one case proves his assertion that resurrection is real.
The summary of the fall and correction of the fall is another equation. Vs 21-22. As in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
Here, Paul limits the resurrection to all those who are "in Christ" and since being in Christ is not a universal human experience, then being raised to life is not a universal human experience. Being "in Adam" is a universal human experience; being in Christ is not.
In Col 1:20 Paul states that all things were given to Christ with a lot of descriptors which makes it very apparent it is universal
For Paul, the term "all men" is contextual. First, he posits a group of people for discussion. Then, he makes a general statement about all of the members of that group. Consider verses 19 and 20 together. Verse 19 identifies the group under review. Verse 20 makes a general statement about the group.
Colossians 1:19-20
For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.
Here are the terms:
the fullness: the group
all things: every individual within the group.
Paul is discussing a group of people he calls "the fullness", which he defines as "all those whom God will grant eternal life, whether Jew or Gentile past, present and future. Jesus made peace between God and all of them through the blood of the cross.