Forgiveness/Remission of Sins

Scripture: Luke 24:47, (see also: 24:1-53)

Introduction

We in the churches of Christ have a mantra

Note

Dictionary

Mantra - noun

  1. (originally in Hinduism and Buddhism) a word or sound repeated to aid concentration in meditation.

  2. a statement or slogan repeated frequently: the environmental mantra that energy has for too long been too cheap.

Do you know what it is?

Acts 2:38, …​ be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. It is so pervasive in our teaching, that a former treasurer here used acts 2:38 as a password…​ he called it: "the church of Christ password"

We stress that one MUST be baptized FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS, or the baptism isn’t valid. Is that so?

Since we talk about baptism so much, I thought we should look at the passages that contain "for the forgiveness of sins" in the New Testament.

Sermon Message

You may have heard "for the remission of sins," is there a difference

  1. Let’s look at Forgiveness vs Remission of sins

    1. It appears that the same Greek word is translated by various translators into our two english words: forgiveness & remission.

    2. Translations using forgiveness: ESV, NASB, WEB, NIV

    3. Translations using remission: NKJV, ASV, KJV

  2. Forgiveness/Remission of Sins in the New Testament

    1. Matthew 26:27-29, my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

    2. Mark 1:4, [John, the harbinger of the Christ, was] proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

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    3. Luke 3:1-6, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

    4. Luke 24:36-49, [Jesus] said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

    5. Acts 2:38, [Peter said]…​ Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…​

    6. Acts 10:42-43, “…​To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

  3. So we see that the words/ideas associated with forgiveness/remission of sins are:

    1. "[Jesus'] blood" - Matthew 26:27-29

    2. "repentance" - Luke 24:46,47

    3. "baptism of repentance" - Mark 1:4; Luke 3:1-6

    4. "repent and be baptized" - Acts 2:38

    5. "whoever believes" - Acts 10:42,43

Note
Faith Alone?

Only ONCE in the gospels and Acts is faith mentioned with the forgiveness/remission of sins (the other five times mention other things). So how can salvation be by faith alone/only?

Not by Faith Alone!

The only reference in the Bible to "faith alone" is found in:

James 2:24 (ESV)

24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

Conclusion — Putting it all together

  1. As you can see, forgiveness of sins is not associated with faith (believes) only.

  2. You can also see forgiveness of sins is not associated with baptism only

    1. Perhaps the denominationalists are faith only

    2. But we tend towards baptism only for the remission of sins.

  3. But forgiveness of sins is also associated with Jesus' blood, & repentance

  4. In fact, repentance is mentioned the most with forgiveness of sins

  5. My intent here is not to say we are wrong to stress baptism so much, but to say it’s not baptism alone that is for the forgiveness of sins, but also: the blood of Christ, repentance, and faith, all combined in conjunction WITH baptism to bring about the forgiveness/remission of sins.

  6. We need to focus on the whole picture, So putting it all together:

    We need to proclaim

    a baptism of repentance in faith through the blood of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, believing that God is able to do what He has promised.