How can anybody reject the atonement ? It's a done deal !
The atonement was God's plan before the creation of the world and so is valid for everyone everywhere everytime.
Sinners only need to repent to be covered by the spilt blood of Jesus Christ. Besides as He said He came to save sinners and not the righteous who are in no need of repentance.
So just to be clear, people are covered by the atonement by default? Is no “decision” required to appropriate it on our behalf?
Does the good Muslim who pays Zakat, is kind to kids and never misses prayer fall under that atonement by their desire to live to please Allah?
Romans 5:6-11
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Salvation does appear to require a
decision too, as this exchange in Acts 26 indicates:-
28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.