CAN I FORGIVE SINS?
If
I can forgive Sin; then why do I need a Savior?
First Word
·
John 20:23 is perplexing in that it seems at first
blush that the followers of Jesus Christ were given the authority to forgive
sins and nowhere in scripture do I see that this authority was recalled. - That
would mean that since I am also a follower of Jesus Christ; I also have that
same authority and power to forgive sins.
·
I have read 25 different
translations
of this verse and they use words like “Forgiven”, “Released”, “Remitted” and “Loosed”;
all retaining the same original thought of forgiving sins, so it’s pretty clear
to me that this text is talking about Forgiving Sins.
John 20:23 – If you
forgive them, they will be forgiven
23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” (ESV)
23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” (ESV)
Departing from
the Ordinary
·
The Eleven Disciples and other followers of
Christ (except for Thomas) were hiding out in a locked room, for the most part in
fear of the Jews, when Jesus suddenly appeared to them and showed them His
wounds and then did something PRETTY FAR OUT.
·
He BREATHED on them proving that He was
alive and then told those present to receive the Holy Spirit. – Something
OUT OF THE ORDINARY just took place here as the Holy Spirit had not yet
fallen as would take place some 50 days later on the Day of Pentecost.
– This was the initial announcement of the historical fulfillment of (the Paraclete) the Holy Spirit that had been promised. – The power
of the HOLY SPIRIT convicts men of their sins.
·
Jesus appoints and confers
on them
the authority to carry on the same work as He did, not as mediators, but as
publishers of the PEACE that His work brings. – He gave authority to them to
act in His Name, so that those that received them, received HIM and
those that rejected them, rejected HIM. – THEY WERE THE
GOSPEL MESSAGE
endued with the Holy Spirit
·
GET THIS; hearing the
reconciliation message of the Gospel, plus the power of the Holy Spirit convicting
men of their sins, provided the opportunity for the “Forgiveness of Sins”. –
The Holy Spirit is not an ornament; it’s the empowerment to convict men
of sin.
·
It is this light and
unveiling of the Gospel Message that brings judgment on oneself depending on one’s
own personal response. – NYOBS 20.19 – HOLY SPIRIT
·
EQUATION; The Gospel
message presented + The Holy Spirit’s Conviction = Reject/Receive
Luke 24:33-34 - Found the
eleven and others gathered together
33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them GATHERED together, saying,
34 “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” (ESV)
33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them GATHERED together, saying,
34 “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” (ESV)
John 20:19-23 – Breathed on them – Received the
Holy Spirit
19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
22 And when he had said this, he BREATHED ON THEM and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
23 If
you forgive the sins
of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it
is withheld.” (ESV)
19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
22 And when he had said this, he BREATHED ON THEM and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
John 16:8 - He will convict the world of sin
8 And when He has come, HE WILL CONVICT THE WORLD OF SIN, and of righteousness, and of judgment: (NKJV)
8 And when He has come, HE WILL CONVICT THE WORLD OF SIN, and of righteousness, and of judgment: (NKJV)
The Mind Set
·
Israel followed the ONE GOD YAHWEH and
all knew that the only one who could forgive sins was Jehovah God alone,
therefore when a man called Jesus said He could forgive sins, they were
outraged and considered it BLASPHEMY.
·
This is noteworthy – Everyone
had been taught from childhood that NO ONE could forgive sins, but God. – Hold onto that thought. -
Mark 2:5-10 – Jesus said;
Your sins are forgiven
5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts,
7 Why does this man speak like that? He is BLASPHEMING! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts?
9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’?
10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—(ESV)
5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts,
7 Why does this man speak like that? He is BLASPHEMING! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts?
9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’?
10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—(ESV)
Their Understanding
·
While we do not see their specific mission in
this scripture, we can see that they UNDERSTOOD their mission was to continue
the work of Christ; these works are recorded in the scriptures as an example
for us. They understood that God alone could forgive sins.
·
They were given the “Keys to the
Kingdom of Heaven” to bind and loose.
·
YOU MUST GET THIS - The “KEYS TO THE KINGDOM
OF HEAVEN” is the Gospel Message and WE as Christians can “declare” that
someone is forgiven or not forgiven based on their response to
the Gospel Message. – We can “proclaim”, based on their response that they are
either still ‘BOUND IN SIN” or “LOOSED FROM SIN”.
1 Corinthians 5:4 – Gather
in the name of Jesus, He is there
4 When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my SPIRIT is present, with the POWER of our Lord Jesus,
4 When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my SPIRIT is present, with the POWER of our Lord Jesus,
(ESV)
Acts 13:38-39 - Through Jesus forgiveness of sins is proclaimed
38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man FORGIVENESS of sins is PROCLAIMED to you,
39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the Law of Moses. (ESV)
38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man FORGIVENESS of sins is PROCLAIMED to you,
39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the Law of Moses. (ESV)
Acts 2:38 – Peter said to Repent
for the forgiveness of sins
38 And Peter said to them, “REPENT and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the FORGIVENESS of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (ESV)
38 And Peter said to them, “REPENT and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the FORGIVENESS of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (ESV)
Acts 10:43 – Everyone who
believes receives forgiveness of sins
43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (ESV)
43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (ESV)
Romans 10:9 – Confess,
believe; you will be saved
9 because, if you CONFESS with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and BELIEVE in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (ESV)
9 because, if you CONFESS with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and BELIEVE in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (ESV)
Matthew 16:19 – Bind or
loose correspondingly happens in heaven
19 I will give you the KEYS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, and whatever you bind on earth shall be BOUND in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be LOOSED in heaven.” (ESV)
19 I will give you the KEYS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, and whatever you bind on earth shall be BOUND in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be LOOSED in heaven.” (ESV)
Matthew 18:18– Bind or
loose has already happened in heaven
18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be BOUND in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be LOOSED in heaven.
18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be BOUND in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be LOOSED in heaven.
Order of Church
Discipline
·
I do not want to side step the controversial passage
concerning forgiving sins because it has its place in the Order of Church
Discipline – This authority has been given to the Church in a ministerial
or declarative sense to declare judgment on issues within the Church.
·
The literal “sentence
construction”
is; those whose sins you forgive,
HAVE ALREADY been forgiven and those whose sins you do not forgive have not
been forgiven; this is based on how someone receives the Gospel Message. –
COME; LET US REASON TOGETHER – God does not withhold forgiveness nor give
forgiveness based on whether or not WE grant it.
·
The Church has been given the
authority
to Declare and point out sin and offer “Course Correctors” to get someone back
on the right path.
·
We see Church Discipline in
action when someone is received back into the church that has wandered off in
sin, but has now come back and has been LOOSED from sin. They are received back in love and comfort
and forgiven through our advocate; Jesus Christ.
·
If they did not repent, they are still BOUND in
sin and are not received back into the church and the forgiveness is
withheld by their own actions. – The Church leaders simply declare
what has already taken place.
·
To whom the Gospel acquits is acquitted and to whom
the Gospel condemns, is condemned.
Ephesians 5:23 - Christ is
the head of the church
23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. (ESV)
23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. (ESV)
Matthew 18:15-20 – Church’s authority to call out
Sin
15 If your brother SINS against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.
16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.
17 If he REFUSES to listen to them, tell it to the CHURCH. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. (ESV)
20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
15 If your brother SINS against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.
16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.
17 If he REFUSES to listen to them, tell it to the CHURCH. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. (ESV)
20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
Colossians 3:16-17 – Church
Teaches The Word and admonishes
16 Let THE WORD of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
16 Let THE WORD of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
(ESV)
Hebrews 10:26-27 – Warn
them – deliberate sin – no forgiveness
26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. (ESV)
26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. (ESV)
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
(ESV)
2 Corinthians 2:6-10 – Church
Reaffirm love and forgive offence
6 For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough,
7 so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
8 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.
9 For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything.
10 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, (ESV)
6 For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough,
7 so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
8 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.
9 For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything.
10 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, (ESV)
Isaiah 1:18 - Come now,
let us reason together
18 Come now, LET US REASON TOGETHER, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. (ESV)
18 Come now, LET US REASON TOGETHER, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. (ESV)
Make Believer
·
In reality, some member of the
church may not actually be children of God; some have a blatant disregard for
the supreme standards of the scriptures.
·
Test yourself to whether or not you
are of the Faith. – God has made Himself known to those He calls His
friend. If you are of the Faith, then
you will love God and walk in His commands; walking the same way He walked. – NYOBS 38.20 – MAKE BELIEVER
·
To repent is to change your course
and walk in a different direction. . – If
you have not actually repented, you will perish just like many before you. - Whoever
does not love the Lord is cursed and condemned already - It’s in the Book -
2 Corinthians 13:5-6 - TEST whether you are of the faith
5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
6 I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test.
5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
6 I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test.
(ESV)
John 15:15 – God makes
Jesus known to His own
15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have MADE KNOWN to you.
15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have MADE KNOWN to you.
(ESV)
John 8:42 - If God were your Father, you would love me
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.
(ESV)
1 John 2:2-6 – Keep His
commands; words; walk the same walk
2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,
5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:
6 whoever says he abides in him ought to WALK IN THE SAME WAY in which he walked.
2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,
5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:
6 whoever says he abides in him ought to WALK IN THE SAME WAY in which he walked.
(ESV)
Luke 13:1-5 – unless you repent, you will all
likewise perish
1 There were some present at that very time who told him about the GALILEANS whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans WERE WORSE SINNERS than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way?
3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
4 Or those eighteen on whom the TOWER IN SILOAM fell and killed them: do you think that they WERE WORSE OFFENDERS than all the others who lived in Jerusalem?
5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (ESV)
1 There were some present at that very time who told him about the GALILEANS whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans WERE WORSE SINNERS than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way?
3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
4 Or those eighteen on whom the TOWER IN SILOAM fell and killed them: do you think that they WERE WORSE OFFENDERS than all the others who lived in Jerusalem?
5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (ESV)
John 3:18 - Whoever does not believe is condemned already
18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
(ESV)
1 Corinthians 16:22 - No love for the Lord, let him be accursed
22 If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! (ESV)
22 If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! (ESV)
Can I forgive
sins?
·
Jesus gave us the example of the authority to
forgive sins. He said He healed
people so that they would know that He had the authority to forgive
people of their sins.
·
With that being the case, if a minister has been
given the power to forgive sins, would it not be PROOF POSITIVE if he also HEALED
all the people? – Forgive Sins and Healed -
·
Peter spoke of forgiveness
of sins on the day of Pentecost when he said whoever called on the
name of Jesus Christ would be saved from their sins. – He did not forgive
anyone’s sins.
·
Jesus commissioned the 12
Disciples
to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers and
cast out demons, but notice He did not give the Power nor the Authority to
forgive Sins.
·
Jesus commissioned 72 more to go and heal the sick,
cast out demons, walk on poisonous snakes and gave them power over their enemy,
but notice He did not give them the power nor the authority to forgive sins.
·
Neither Peter, the Twelve,
nor the 70 gave even a hint that they
had been given the authority or power to forgive sins.
·
The Commission was to
preach
that “the Kingdom of Heaven was at Hand”; they were teaching that Jesus Christ
IS the Kingdom of Heaven and is now among
them.
·
The followers of Christ all
proclaimed
the “forgiveness” of sin. - This brings
us to the question; what is the forgiveness of Sin? - Forgiveness of Sin
is based on the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross when He made the final payment;
the sacrifice and atonement for our sins, Past, Present and Future. – This “forgiveness”
of our sins is received by believing.
·
Look at this; “whoever sins you remit,
are remitted unto them”; this happens when you tell them the good news of the
Gospel and they receive it; their sins are remitted. When they
reject the good News then the remission is withheld by their own action/choice/decision.
·
The Great Commission is to go and tell the
Good News of the Gospel for the remission of sins, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Sin was forgiven when they believed. – There is no record, inference or even
a hint of any kind that any disciple, including Peter ever forgave anyone’s
sins, although they proclaimed the “forgiveness” of sin everywhere they went.
·
In the OT our sins were atoned for
“ON CREDIT” with animal sacrifices until in
the NT Jesus would come and “PAY” the final price so that when we
believe today, we get it all; sins forgiven, saved and filled with the Holy
Spirit.
Matthew 9:1-6 – HEALING showed authority to
forgive sins
1 And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city.
2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”
3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.”
4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?
5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?
6 But that YOU MAY KNOW that the Son of Man HAS AUTHORITY on earth to FORGIVE SINS”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” (ESV)
Matthew 10:7 – Preach the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand
7 And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.’ (ESV)
1 And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city.
2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”
3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.”
4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?
5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?
6 But that YOU MAY KNOW that the Son of Man HAS AUTHORITY on earth to FORGIVE SINS”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” (ESV)
Matthew 10:7 – Preach the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand
7 And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.’ (ESV)
Acts 2:21 – Peter – BELIEVE on Jesus & be
saved from your sins
21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ (ESV)
21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ (ESV)
Acts 2:41 – Peter preached THE WORD of God and
3,000 saved
41 So those who received his WORD were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
41 So those who received his WORD were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
(ESV)
Acts 10:43 – Peter; forgiveness of sins is through JESUS NAME
43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives FORGIVENESS OF SINS through his name.”
43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives FORGIVENESS OF SINS through his name.”
(ESV)
Matthew 10:8 – The 12 - Not given power to forgive
sins
8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. (ESV)
8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. (ESV)
Luke 10:1 – The 72 – No authority or Power to
forgive sins
1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. (ESV)
1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. (ESV)
Luke 10:9 – The 72 – Heal the sick
9 Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ (ESV)
9 Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ (ESV)
Luke 10:17 – The 72 - Cast out demons
17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” (ESV)
17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” (ESV)
Luke 10:19 – The 72 – Walk on snakes and scorpions
19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. (ESV)
19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. (ESV)
Matthew 28:19-20 – Great
Commission – Go, Teach and Baptize 19 GO therefore and MAKE DISCIPLES of all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 TEACHING THEM to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (ESV)
20 TEACHING THEM to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (ESV)
The Bible on Forgiveness
·
There is just one Mediator between God and man and
that is God’s only begotten Son Jesus the Christ. – All the sins of man; Past,
Present and Future were laid on Jesus Christ at the Cross. - Only the one who
paid the price for our sins can forgive them.
·
There is not one that does
not sin,
except the sinless Lamb of God; only the one who is without sin can forgive
sin. – NYOBS 09.24 - FORGIVENESS
·
Our forgiveness and peace with God comes through
His Son who is seated at the right hand of God interceding for us; He is our
advocate; our mediator with the Father.
Isaiah 53:5-6 - The sins of all of us was laid on
Jesus
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—EVERY ONE—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him THE INIQUITY OF US ALL. (ESV)
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—EVERY ONE—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him THE INIQUITY OF US ALL. (ESV)
1 Timothy 2:5 – There is
just one mediator – Jesus Christ
5 For there is one God, and there is ONE MEDIATOR between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, (ESV)
5 For there is one God, and there is ONE MEDIATOR between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, (ESV)
John 14:6 – No mediator
with God except Jesus His Son
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. NO ONE comes to the Father EXCEPT THROUGH ME. (ESV)
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. NO ONE comes to the Father EXCEPT THROUGH ME. (ESV)
1 John 2:1 – Jesus is our advocate with God
1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an ADVOCATE with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (ESV)
1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an ADVOCATE with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (ESV)
Romans 5:1 – Our forgiveness and peace comes
through Jesus
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (ESV)
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (ESV)
Romans 8:34 – Jesus at the
right hand of God interceding
34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is INTERCEDING for us. (ESV)
34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is INTERCEDING for us. (ESV)
Hebrews 7:25 - Christ lives
to make intercession for us
25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make INTERCESSION for them. (ESV)
25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make INTERCESSION for them. (ESV)
Romans 3:23 – All have sinned and fall short
23 For EVERYONE HAS SINNED; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. (NLT)
23 For EVERYONE HAS SINNED; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. (NLT)
1 Peter 1:19 – Jesus is the ONLY ONE who was
sinless
19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the SINLESS, spotless Lamb of God. (NLT)
19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the SINLESS, spotless Lamb of God. (NLT)
Religious Leaders
·
The Scribes were distinguished
professionals; Judges, Lawyers, Financiers, Interpreters. Teachers and Copiers’
of the OT scriptures.
·
The Pharisees were a school of thought,
a social movement; an ambitious political party who were the guardians of the written
and oral laws of God and believed in the resurrection.
·
The Sadducees were the elite; the very
wealthy upper class religious leaders who maintained the Temple, but did not
believe in the resurrection; no life after death.
·
Jesus had a few choice words for the Religious Leaders
of the time – He said they were Hypocrites teaching TRADITIONS and things that
were not in the Law; they were like whitewashed tombs full of all sorts of
impurities. – They were shutting up the kingdom of God from others and they
themselves would not enter in. – GOOD
GRIEF -
Matthew 23:13 – The teachers of the law were
Hypocrites
13 What sorrow awaits you TEACHERS of religious law and you Pharisees. HYPOCRITES! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either. (NLT)
13 What sorrow awaits you TEACHERS of religious law and you Pharisees. HYPOCRITES! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either. (NLT)
Matthew 23:27 – The teachers were like whitewashed
tombs
27 What sorrow awaits you TEACHERS of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like WHITEWASHED TOMBS—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity. (NLT)
27 What sorrow awaits you TEACHERS of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like WHITEWASHED TOMBS—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity. (NLT)
Last Thoughts
·
We cannot build doctrine on
just one isolated verse; there is no prophecy of scripture that is of any PRIVATE INTERPRETATION. – All scripture is God
breathed and given for training and correcting. - We prove scripture with
scripture, precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little and there a
little.
·
The Word of God divides;
In vain we teach men’s doctrines and make void the Word of God to
establish our traditions. We teach Philosophies
that are full of empty deceit according to human tradition and not
according to Jesus Christ. - Tradition causes some to hang on to their ways and
reject what is plainly written in the scriptures. – It’s in the
Book
·
There is just One Mediator between God and Man and
that is the person of Jesus Christ.
·
If a minister can forgive
sins,
then based on the example that Jesus set with His own words, the minister
should also be able to HEAL in order to demonstrate that his authority is from
God. – It’s MUCH EASIER to say “Your sins are forgiven” than to say “Arise,
take up your bed and Walk”. They do
these deeds in order to be seen by others; loving their place of
honor. – These are not my words; It’s
in the Book -
·
As best as I can see, I do not have the power,
nor the authority to forgive sins, but I have been given the authority to
proclaim His Word which when received will forgive Sin. – The only one who can
forgive sins is the one who paid the price for our sins.
·
NOTE; when we proclaim the
Gospel, we are privileged to be a part of, and to get in on, what God is already
doing. SELAH
·
Let God’s Word be true and everyone else a
liar. When you follow men’s tradition, God
will plainly tell you… Depart from me, I never knew you. – It’s in the Book –
Hebrews 4:12 – The Word of
God DIVIDES
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the DIVISION of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (ESV)
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the DIVISION of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (ESV)
2 Timothy 2:15 – Divide the Word of God rightly
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly DIVIDING the word of truth. (NKJV)
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly DIVIDING the word of truth. (NKJV)
2 Peter 1:20 – There is no
PRIVATE INTERPERTATION
20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. (ESV)
20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. (ESV)
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – ALL
scripture is God breathed for teaching
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for TEACHING, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for TEACHING, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
(ESV)
Isaiah 28:10 – Precept upon precept and line upon
line
10 For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little.”
10 For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little.”
(ESV)
Mark 7:7 – Worship in vain teaching man’s
doctrines
7 IN VAIN do they worship me, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES the commandments of men.’ (ESV)
7 IN VAIN do they worship me, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES the commandments of men.’ (ESV)
Mark 7:9 – Reject God’s commandments with
tradition
9 And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to ESTABLISH YOUR TRADITION! (ESV)
9 And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to ESTABLISH YOUR TRADITION! (ESV)
Mark 7:13 – You make Void God’s Word with your
Tradition
13 thus making VOID the word of God by YOUR TRADITION that you have handed down. And many such things you do.”
13 thus making VOID the word of God by YOUR TRADITION that you have handed down. And many such things you do.”
(ESV)
Colossians 2:8 - Teach deceitful Philosophy not
according to God
8 See to it that no one takes you captive by PHILOSOPHY and empty deceit, according to human TRADITION, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive by PHILOSOPHY and empty deceit, according to human TRADITION, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
(ESV)
Mark 2:5-10 – Jesus healed
– Forgave Sins – Know His Authority
5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’?
10 But that you may know that the Son of Man HAS AUTHORITY on earth TO FORGIVE SINS”—he said to the paralytic—
5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’?
10 But that you may know that the Son of Man HAS AUTHORITY on earth TO FORGIVE SINS”—he said to the paralytic—
(ESV)
Matthew 23:5-6 – They do their deeds to be seen by
others
5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,
6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues.
5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,
6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues.
(ESV)
Mark 2:9 – It’s easier to
say your sins are forgiven than to heal
9 WHICH
IS EASIER, to say to the paralytic, ‘YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN,’ or to say, ‘Rise,
take up your bed and walk’?
(ESV)
Romans 3:4 – God’s Word is True; everyone else is
a liar
4 By no means! LET GOD BE TRUE though everyone were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.”
4 By no means! LET GOD BE TRUE though everyone were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.”
(ESV)
Matthew 25:41 – Depart
from me; I don’t even know you
41 Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. (ESV)
41 Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. (ESV)
If man can
forgive Sin; then we do not need a Savior.
In the multitude of counselors,
there is wisdom.
Proverbs 11:14
I am grateful to those that went before me
providing concepts, ideas, historical
information, and scripture verses. Because of them I can stand on their
shoulders
and see further that I otherwise ever could
have.
A Commentary; Critical,
Experimental and Practical - Eerdmans
Antiquity of the Jews – Flavius Josephus Matthias
Apocrypha – Goodspeed
Baker Commentary on the
Bible - Elwell
Bible Almanac; The – Packer-Tenney-White
Bible Commentary – F.B. Meyer
Bible Dictionary – Harper and Row
Dake’s Annotated Bible – Dake
English Standard Version
Bible – ESV
Expositor’s Bible
Commentary – Frank E. Gaebelein
Illustrated Bible
Dictionary – Nelson’s
Illustrated Bible
Dictionary; The – Tyndale
Interlinear Greek-English
New Testament - Baker
King James Version Bible –
KJV
Matthew Henry’s Commentary - Zondervan
Mysteries of the Bible – Readers Digest
Nave’s Topical Bible - Zondervan
New International
Dictionary of the Bible; The – Douglas -
Tenney
New International Version
Bible (2011) – NIV
NOTE: The “new” NIV has
been corrupted and made gender neutral.
Avoid it.
Thru the Bible – J. Vernon
McGee
Vincent’s Word Studies of
the New Testament – Mac Donald
Who’s Who in the Bible – Paul D. Gardner
Wycliffe Bible Commentary;
The – Pfeiffer & Harrison
Wikipedia –
Zondervan Pictorial
Encyclopedia of the Bible; The – Tenney
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