How are we to tell the difference between the true gospel and what is for all intents and purposes "another gospel"? The modern church too often finds its legitimacy in an artificially generated gospel that is without power; where any kind of eternal security must be supposed and presumed without being verifiable.The ideological religious dimension, however, provides us with no guarantees. But the truth will set us free. Better to store up actual heavenly riches that don't tarnish or are lost by being diverted away through misappropriation.
I don't know how you can sit there and with a straight face say the gospel is not about the forgiveness of sins-
Yes, forgiveness of sins is a central theme of the gospel message presented in the New Testament. Here's how forgiveness of sins is foundational to the gospel:
Biblical Foundation: The gospel, which means "good news," proclaims the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ. This forgiveness is rooted in God's mercy and grace, as demonstrated through Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection (Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14).
Human Condition: The gospel addresses humanity's universal need for forgiveness due to sin. Sin separates people from God (Isaiah 59:2), and forgiveness restores the broken relationship with God, offering reconciliation and eternal life (Romans 6:23).
Jesus' Mission: Jesus Himself emphasized that He came to offer forgiveness of sins. He declared, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10). His ministry and ultimate sacrifice on the cross were to provide a way for humanity to receive forgiveness and salvation (Acts 13:38-39).
Salvation Message: The apostles and early church proclaimed forgiveness of sins as a core component of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. This message is central in the preaching recorded in the book of Acts and in the letters of the apostles (Acts 2:38, Acts 10:43, Ephesians 2:8-9).
1. Ephesians 1:7
Scripture: "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;" (Ephesians 1:7, KJV)
Breakdown:
Morphology:
Redemption (ἀπολύτρωσις, apolytrōsis) - Noun, Feminine, Nominative Singular
Forgiveness (ἄφεσις, aphesis) - Noun, Feminine, Genitive Singular
According to (κατὰ, kata) - Preposition
Riches (πλοῦτος, ploutos) - Noun, Masculine, Accusative Plural
Grace (χάρις, charis) - Noun, Feminine, Genitive Singular
Syntax:
The main clause is "In whom we have redemption" (Ἐν ᾧ ἔχομεν τὴν ἀπολύτρωσιν).
"Through his blood" (διὰ τοῦ αἵματος αὐτοῦ) describes the means of redemption.
"The forgiveness of sins" (τὴν ἄφεσιν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν) is in apposition to "redemption," explaining its purpose.
"According to the riches of his grace" (κατὰ τὸν πλοῦτον τῆς χάριτος αὐτοῦ) describes the standard or measure of this forgiveness.
2. Colossians 1:14
Scripture: "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:" (Colossians 1:14, KJV)
Breakdown:
Morphology:
Same as Ephesians 1:7 for key terms: redemption, blood, forgiveness.
Syntax:
Similar structure to Ephesians 1:7, emphasizing the connection between redemption and forgiveness through Christ's blood.
3. Acts 2:38
Scripture: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38, KJV)
Breakdown:
Morphology:
Repent (μετανοήσατε, metanoēsate) - Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Be baptized (βαπτισθήτω, baptisthētō) - Verb, Aorist Imperative Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Remission (ἀφέσεως, apheseōs) - Noun, Genitive Singular
Receive (λήμψεσθε, lēmpsesthe) - Verb, Future Indicative Middle, 2nd Person Plural
Syntax:
Imperatives "Repent" and "be baptized" command action.
"In the name of Jesus Christ" specifies the authority or basis for baptism.
"For the remission of sins" (εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν) indicates the purpose or goal of baptism.
Promise of receiving the Holy Ghost (Spirit) follows repentance and baptism.
4. Acts 10:43
Scripture: "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." (Acts 10:43, KJV)
Breakdown:
Morphology:
Believeth (πιστεύοντι, pisteuonti) - Verb, Present Active Participle, Dative Singular
Receive (λήμψεται, lēmpsetai) - Verb, Future Indicative Middle, 3rd Person Singular
Syntax:
Prophets bear witness to the promise through Christ.
"Whosoever believeth in him" (πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν) emphasizes faith as the condition.
Future tense "shall receive" denotes certainty of receiving remission (forgiveness) of sins.
5. Romans 4:7
Scripture: "Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered." (Romans 4:7, KJV)
Breakdown:
Morphology:
Blessed (μακαρισμένοι, makarismenoi) - Verb, Perfect Passive Participle, Nominative Plural Masculine
Forgiven (ἀφέθησαν, aphethēsan) - Verb, Aorist Passive Indicative, 3rd Person Plural
Covered (ἐπεκαλύφθησαν, epekaluphthēsan) - Verb, Aorist Passive Indicative, 3rd Person Plural
Syntax:
"Saying" introduces a quotation from Psalm 32:1-2.
"Blessed are they" declares the blessedness of those whose sins are forgiven and covered.
Perfect tense "are forgiven" and "are covered" emphasizes the completed action with ongoing results.
These breakdowns show how morphology (word forms) and syntax (sentence structure) contribute to understanding the rich theological concepts of forgiveness of sins as presented in these scriptures. Each passage underscores the importance of forgiveness through Jesus Christ, emphasizing repentance, faith, and the grace of God.
FORGIVENESS UNDER GRACE
Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles and the revealer of the mysteries of God to the Church which is His Body, gives only one condition—belief in his gospel. According to the above Scripture from Ephesians 1:7, the forgiveness of sins is intimately linked with our redemption which in turn is based upon Christ’s sacrificial blood and the riches of His grace. Also, notice carefully that forgiveness (as with all our spiritual blessings) is past tense for the believer in Christ. We have redemption…the forgiveness of sins.
For those who need further confirmation of this wonderful news, please consider prayerfully these additional examples from Paul’s epistles:
“And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32).
“In Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:14).
“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses” (Col. 2:13).
“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye” (Col. 3:13).
“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying, `Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin'” (Rom. 4:5-8).
“Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man [Jesus Christ] is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses” (Acts 13:38,39).
The above verses represent the teaching on forgiveness for the present dispensation of the grace of God (Eph. 3:1-9). The instructed grace believer knows that man is by nature dead in trespasses and sins and as such cannot merit a place in heaven with God (Eph. 2:1,8,9). The love of God has provided forgiveness for fallen man through the blood of His Son. Faith in Jesus Christ is the responsibility which a Sovereign God has placed upon man in response to His love. “Christ died for our sins… and rose again” is the gospel which Paul received from the glorified Lord Jesus and preached wherever he went (I Cor. 15:1-4). The Holy Spirit of God then takes the believing sinner and supernaturally baptizes him into Christ, thus establishing an eternal union (I Cor. 12:13). This has been testified to by the revelation that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ because the Holy Spirit has sealed us until the day of redemption (His coming) (Rom. 8:31-39; Eph. 1:13,14; 4:30).
The knowledge of these scriptural facts give the believer great peace and joy unspeakable. But as is the case with so many Bible subjects, those who want to homogenize the Word of God go to forgiveness teachings given to Israel for a past dispensation and arbitrarily transplant them into the present dispensation of Grace. The result is fear, doubt, and a lack of boldness in our prayer life.
FORGIVENESS UNDER THE LAW
At this point, it may be beneficial to contrast forgiveness under the law of Moses.
“If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (II Chron. 7:14).
"[Christ] in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7). A businessman near St. Louis recently received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and was rejoicing in the knowledge of sins forgiven. Lately, however, he has become consc
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