The social gospel?

[Johann]

You can read the written word as you are doing, but...the written word is not who we are in, were in the Spirit, not the Bible..therefore your teachings is false...we must be Born Of The Spirit..to know that Jesus hung on a cross....because we are Born Again..a spirit child of God....we know Jesus hung on a cross in our spirit..not through reading the Bible.

Your just a theologian..as you have no spirit knowledge....therefore I rebuke your claim that the Bible is Alive in the Spirit.

Exercise caution in making assumptions about fellow members, as such actions could jeopardize your participation in this community/forum.
You are informed that your demotion stems from inappropriate behavior, including slander and provocation of other members.

Take care now.
J.

 

[Ritajanice]

Calling out your lack of NT theology, does not make me "poser" it simply reveals you as the one who Insulted the Cross of Christ by teaching that ..

"The Cross is NOT About Forgiveness".

Epi has never said this ..

 

[Ritajanice]

Exercise caution in making assumptions about fellow members, as such actions could jeopardize your participation in this community/forum.

You made assumptions that my spirit birth wasn’t biblical..therefore you rebuked that I’m Born Again..even though my testimony was biblical..

On the other hand if you don’t want to be called a theologian...tell us about your Living spirit birth?

You are informed that your demotion stems from inappropriate behavior, including slander and provocation of other members.

Take care now.
J.

My demotion was because I can’t let you and others bear false witness against the word of God a ET team..was not for me and Angelina did the right thing....we have to state our case and move on like a mod, without the power of a mod.

I am now a member just like you and can discuss and disagree until my hearts content.as long as I stick to forum rules..

I rebuke your post as it is false teachings..the Bible is not Alive in The Spirit..God is a Living Spirit and we are spirit children Born Again..I class you as a theologian as you have no spiritual knowledge.

Just posting reams and reams of the written word...and can’t explain what is being said in the Spirit.

You also post reams and reams of commentaries other people’s work.

We should be growing and maturing in the Spirit if we are Born Again?

You say you were Born from Above ..how? @Johann ...you have asked me the same question many times?

How were you Born Again?

God says we must be Born Again to see the Kingdom Of God?

Not we must be Born Of The Bible to see the Kingdom Of God?

How did your spirit become Born Again?

You said my spirit birth wasn’t biblical..it was.

Now I want to read how you were Born Of The Spirit?

I need to hear it before I can believe you are Born Again?

Then I will retract calling you a theologian..because that’s all I’m seeing at the moment from you?

 

[Episkopos]

Epi has never said this ..

Hi Rita. The reason that the "gang" (the ones who circle around me and attack me then call me the bully...poor them ) want the cross to be about forgiveness, is they that want to be justified in their carnal state.

The bible clearly teaches that the cross is about atonement, not forgiveness. Jesus said while on the cross...forgive them Father, they know not what they do. God has always been merciful. This is something that is denied...reproaching God in His character. Here are a few examples from the OLD Testament (for the "gang" FYI ...this is BEFORE the coming of Christ)

Lam. 3:22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

Ps. 103:8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

So the "gang" deny the truth of the bible and the Spirit...BOTH. They neither respect God, or His words.

Did Jesus have to die to make God merciful? Of course not. Carnal men have deviated the purpose of the cross to suit their own sinful ways.

The cross is about atonement into holiness. Those who experience the cross are SANCTIFIED...not just forgiven. The cross frees us from sin and the sin nature.

Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify (nor forgive) the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Heb. 13:12

But this is at the level of the Spirit and life...something the "gang" haven't a clue about.

 

[Episkopos]

The social gospel comes from the reformation...the time of human elevation. People want to be justified In their sin. And the devil sought to corrupt the faith of Christ at this time by deviating the gospel and grace to serve both the flesh...and himself.....and it worked. Many, many now hold the truth in unrighteousness...claiming to be imputed with God's own righteousness even as they sin and foul their garments. The folly of it.

The idea is that grace makes God blind to sin...or else He just smiles at it. Unlike those who do not give Him lip service...no, it is death for these. But not His favourites...no, not the rich Western privileged ones!

But God has no favourites....especially not rich spoiled mockers.

Among these the idea is that grace is also just about forgiveness....not power.

One of the "gang" said something like "outside of grace, the wages of sin is death"

A full departure from reality.

If the wages of sin is death...then that's what the wages are. Grace is not an overturning of the law...into lawlessness...but the power given to us by God to overcome sin.

Gravity is overcome by a greater law...no favourites needed.

Aircraft fly in the sky in defiance of gravity. How? By the law of flight. Does the law of flight eliminate the law of gravity? No. The law of flight gives us the power over the law of gravity, as long as we obey its law. The law of gravity still acts on the law of flight. Its just that the law of flight overcomes the law of gravity.

Likewise when we enter INTO Christ (like we enter into an aircraft) we walk as He walked without sin. How? The law of Christ and His life sets us free from the law of sin and death.

So the wages of sin is death is also for believers. It's just that being under grace means we are walking in the same life and power that Jesus walked in. So we walk above sin.

 

[Eternally Grateful]

We should not limit the power of God. God comes to us and draws us in many ways. Those who say he does not, or can not. limit the power of God.

As for the cross. All we have to do is look to the law. The law said without the shedding of blood, there can be no forgiveness. The only issue is the jews thought it was the blood of bulls and goats that made them right with God. Thats not the case.

It is the blood of the lamb that is the payment for sin. As jesus said on the cross before he gave up the spirit. It is finished, literally in the greek, it means "pain in full"

the sin debt was paid by the cross..

Try to replace the cross with anything is to mock God, Puts faith in self not God. and is to teach a false gospel

 

[Eternally Grateful]

The social gospel comes from the reformation...the time of human elevation. People want to be justified In their sin

excuse me, but is this not what you yourself are doing? Are you not watering down the law in a way you think you can be above the law and walk like christ so you can save yourself?

Why do you attack those who are trained by the law. and Know sin is sin, and instead of ignoring their sin, Blowing it off as if it is not really all that bad, because its not murder, or puff themselves up thinking they are righteous, when they are not, and confess that not only do they still need to grow (christian growth is a lifetime affair) but they continue to run the race striving to be all they can be for God.

It makes no sense, year after year you attack believers who understand the gospel and understand their sinfulness, while boasting and puffing yourself up as some sort of riughteous person.

 

[Ritajanice]

We should not limit the power of God. God comes to us and draws us in many ways. Those who say he does not, or can not. limit the power of God.

No one has limited God...there is only one way to Jesus, that is by God drawing us to Jesus.by His Holy Spirit Power...the natural man has no ability to do this as they are alienated from God in their spirit, they don’t know him.

As for the cross. All we have to do is look to the law. The law said without the shedding of blood, there can be no forgiveness. The only issue is the jews thought it was the blood of bulls and goats that made them right with God. Thats not the case.

It’s because of the cross that we can become Born Of The Spirit..the cross doesn’t make our spirit Born Again..only the Spirit Of God can do that..God is a Living Spirit...and we need to be a spirit child?

It is the blood of the lamb that is the payment for sin. As jesus said on the cross before he gave up the spirit. It is finished, literally in the greek, it means "pain in full"

the sin debt was paid by the cross..

Try to replace the cross with anything is to mock God, Puts faith in self not God. and is to teach a false gospel

Our sins are forgiven because of the cross, we must be Born Again to have our sins forgiven.

We must be Born Again to see the Kingdom Of God.

Not, we must be Born Again of the cross to see the Kingdom Of God.

 

[Episkopos]

We should not limit the power of God. God comes to us and draws us in many ways. Those who say he does not, or can not. limit the power of God.

Why do you limit God's power, and belittle His mercy and kindness...to justify yourself? You deny the truth of the scriptures? Why? To what end...beyond self-justification?

As for the cross. All we have to do is look to the law. The law said without the shedding of blood, there can be no forgiveness.

That's not in the bible. You are reading a mis-translation...and if you could read what I'm typing, you would see that aphesis means "freedom" not forgiveness. Do you trust human translators? Or God? Are you able to read a concordance? It's in English.

I always thought I was slow to understand...but compared to your "gang"...Oh my

The only issue is the jews thought it was the blood of bulls and goats that made them right with God. Thats not the case.

It is the blood of the lamb that is the payment for sin. As jesus said on the cross before he gave up the spirit. It is finished, literally in the greek, it means "pain in full"

A LOT of pain.

the sin debt was paid by the cross..

False. The cleansing of sin...ATONEMENT into holiness was effected on the cross. Again, you accuse God of being unmerciful. It is God's love to cleanse us into the same holiness as He has in order that we live WHERE He is.

You have such a superficial grasp of the bible that you slander God's character. I know you do this in ignorance.

Try to replace the cross with anything is to mock God, Puts faith in self not God. and is to teach a false gospel

EXACTLY what you are doing. Again, everything you say is backward. You put self beyond God's character and take on a scheme that is concocted by the evil one.

 

[Episkopos]

excuse me, but is this not what you yourself are doing? Are you not watering down the law in a way you think you can be above the law and walk like christ so you can save yourself?

Why do you attack those who are trained by the law. and Know sin is sin, and instead of ignoring their sin, Blowing it off as if it is not really all that bad, because its not murder, or puff themselves up thinking they are righteous, when they are not, and confess that not only do they still need to grow (christian growth is a lifetime affair) but they continue to run the race striving to be all they can be for God.

It makes no sense, year after year you attack believers who understand the gospel and understand their sinfulness, while boasting and puffing yourself up as some sort of riughteous person.

Are you saying that one day you hope to be a Christian?

 

[Johann]

The social gospel comes from the reformation...the time of human elevation. People want to be justified In their sin. And the devil sought to corrupt the faith of Christ at this time by deviating the gospel and grace to serve both the flesh...and himself.....and it worked. Many, many now hold the truth in unrighteousness...claiming to be imputed with God's own righteousness even as they sin and foul their garments. The folly of it.

Not so @Episkopos

Holding the Truth in Unrighteousness:

Romans 1:18: "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness."
This verse speaks to the issue of people who possess knowledge of God's truth but live in ways that contradict it, reflecting a corruption of faith.
Imputed Righteousness and Continuing in Sin:

Romans 6:1-2: "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"
Here, Paul addresses the fallacy that grace provides a license to sin, emphasizing that genuine faith leads to a transformation away from sinful behavior.
Faith Without Works:

James 2:17: "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."
James underscores that true faith is evidenced by righteous actions, countering the notion that one can claim righteousness while living in sin.

Filthy Garments and Righteousness:

Zechariah 3:3-4: "Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment."
This passage symbolizes the cleansing and transformation that accompanies true repentance and righteousness, contrasting with the idea of remaining in sin while claiming divine righteousness.
False Prophets and Deception:

2 Corinthians 11:13-15: "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."
Paul warns against deception within the church, where individuals may appear righteous but are fundamentally corrupt, serving to deviate true faith.
Self-Deception and Sin:

1 John 1:8-9: "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Exegesis of 1 John 1:8-9
Contextual Overview
1 John is a pastoral letter traditionally attributed to the Apostle John. The epistle addresses several key themes, including the nature of God, the reality of sin, and the assurance of salvation. It was written to early Christian communities to combat emerging heresies, such as Gnosticism, which denied the reality of sin and the need for confession.

Text Analysis
Verse 8: "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."

Conditional Clause ("If we say that we have no sin"): This statement addresses a false claim some individuals might make, denying their sinful nature or actions. This denial was likely a response to Gnostic teachings, which often claimed spiritual enlightenment and purity apart from moral conduct.

Self-Deception ("we deceive ourselves"): John emphasizes that such a denial of sin is a form of self-deception. It indicates a fundamental misunderstanding of one's own nature and the reality of sin.

Absence of Truth ("the truth is not in us"): The phrase "the truth is not in us" underscores that true knowledge of God and self-awareness cannot coexist with a denial of sin. True understanding involves acknowledging one's sinful condition.
Verse 9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Conditional Promise ("If we confess our sins"): Contrasting verse 8, this verse presents the proper response to sin: confession. Confession here involves a genuine admission and repentance of sins.
Attributes of God ("he is faithful and just"): John highlights God's character. God's faithfulness refers to His reliability in fulfilling His promises, and His justice emphasizes that He acts in accordance with His righteous nature.
Divine Forgiveness ("to forgive us our sins"): The promise of forgiveness is assured if confession is made. This forgiveness is based on God's faithful and just nature, rather than on human merit.
Cleansing from Unrighteousness ("and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"): Beyond forgiveness, there is also a promise of cleansing. This cleansing involves a purification from the moral and spiritual defilement caused by sin, restoring the believer to a state of righteousness.
Theological Implications
Human Sinfulness: John asserts the pervasive nature of sin in human life. Denying sin equates to self-deception and indicates a lack of truth within an individual.
Necessity of Confession: Confession is a crucial element of Christian life. It demonstrates awareness of one's sin and dependence on God's grace.
God’s Faithfulness and Justice: These attributes of God assure believers that their confession will lead to forgiveness. God's faithfulness ensures He will keep His promises, and His justice guarantees that forgiveness is granted righteously.
Restorative Cleansing: The process of confession and forgiveness leads to cleansing, signifying a restored relationship with God and moral renewal.
Practical Application
Acknowledge Sin: Believers are called to honestly acknowledge their sins rather than deny them. This recognition is foundational for spiritual growth and integrity.
Practice Confession: Regular confession should be integrated into the life of a Christian, fostering humility and reliance on God's grace.
Trust in God's Character: Believers can find assurance in God's faithfulness and justice, knowing that their sins will be forgiven and they will be cleansed from unrighteousness.
Seek Moral Renewal: Forgiveness is not merely about pardon but also about transformation. Christians are encouraged to pursue a life cleansed from sin, reflecting God's righteousness.
This passage emphasizes the need for honesty about one's sinful nature and the importance of seeking forgiveness and cleansing, rather than justifying sin.
These scriptures collectively highlight the biblical concern with holding onto true righteousness and not being deceived by false notions of grace that permit ongoing sinfulness. They underscore the importance of genuine transformation and the dangers of corrupting the gospel to serve fleshly desires or deceitful teachings.

So what makes you think we take grace for granted or that there is no genuine transformation in OUR lives?

Try and stay within the boundaries of the written word and do not add or subtract from what stands written and the gospel and the Imperatives are for ALL-not just you.

The 'gang" as I see it is you and a few others till you get a rap on your knuckles.
J.

 

[Lizbeth]

When I think of what could be termed as being a social gospel, I think of people like Gandhi, Oprah, or MLK (Martin Luther King)

Of the 3 only the latter could be termed as preaching a social gospel, as he was a minister of religion....aka a pastor.

Mlk used the life of Jesus as something to emulate in His humanity...not concerned for the more spiritual aspects....like whether Jesus was divine or not. To him, that was beside the point. Anything spiritual, to him, was to be taken as a metaphor...a philosophy meant to inspire a human activism in conformity with the message of Jesus in His humanity. Social justice, human rights,...love of one's fellow man.

Gandhi said...I love your Christ, not your Christians. Gandhi was exposed to the charlatan aspect of Christianity that did NOTHING to follow Christ but rather used Him as an idol to worship and a religious ideological claim to be "going to heaven" in an afterlife by simply "accepting" Him. Gandhi found that to be "anti-Christian". Why do we not obey the One we call Lord??

We can compare that social stance to the airy-fairy pseudo spiritual approach embraced by so many where religious beliefs trump actions...what we do with what we have been given.

What is acceptable in the decoy churches is the lip-service of Jesus being divine WITHOUT any obedience to Jesus in His humanity. So we are in a quandary...since there is NO balance in the churches of today, should we prefer one half-truth over the other?

When both these are compared...we see aspects of the truth...but no depth or balance. Basically, NOT the gospel. Neither is according to the gospel.

I preach a spiritual Christianity with the church being a spiritual fellowship of Christ followers...who hold to Jesus being BOTH human AND divine.

As such I weigh the ACTIONS of one extreme over the other. In the case of those who seek to follow Jesus' human side...we see so often self-sacrifice, love of others, and willingness to suffer. On the side of the hypocrites who name and claim the divine benefits of Jesus...we see assumptions and presumptions...naming and claiming...claiming to be saved by these...who REFUSE to emulate Jesus in His humanity, disdaining the human Christ by calling obedience to Him...a works salvation. As if all who obeyed Jesus did so for the same selfish reasons they were "accepting" Jesus' sacrifice for themselves. We judge others as WE are, so often.

So which extreme is better? I say, extreme because neither is the truth. Neither is balanced and represents the real Jesus.

Since we will be judged by our works, NOT our beliefs...I would think that DOING what Jesus would do is better than claiming Him as an idol for an afterlife salvation.

Can we condemn the one extreme without also condemning the other? Or are we also invested in naming and claiming and saying that those who follow Jesus' humanity are going to hell for it, as any carnally minded fundamentalist would...thereby justifying the importance of their own ideological opinions? Or is it...he who is not against Me is for Me?

Can we see that followers of Jesus' humanity (social gospel) are challenging us to NOT be hypocritical in our witness to the world?

I think by "Christians" Ghandi meant the British in particular, a Christian nation in the broad sense, and how they were treating his nation and people. Keep in mind though that those who want to reject Christ often point to those who bring the gospel into disrepute as a reason or excuse. The devil is always hard at work trying to do that, to bring Christ into disrepute for that purpose. There have been real Christian missionaries laying down their lives and going to India seeking to lift the people up, not put them down.

We should not be hypocritical, no. But it can't be denied that many who point to the hypocrisy of others do so as an excuse to reject the gospel. Nowadays they are looking at all the big name televangelists and mega church pastors........is that real Christianity?

 

[Eternally Grateful]

Not going to be goaded today.

I have made my peace and what I said stands.

Yes, there is one way to God through Christ . But God uses many ways to accomplish this task and draw it to him.

My comment about the many ways God uses is easy and simple for all to see. Like I said, I am sure there are more

 

[Episkopos]

I think by "Christians" Ghandi meant the British in particular, a Christian nation in the broad sense, and how they were treating his nation and people.

Not at all. Gandhi, being a righteous man, saw through the false gospel of naming and claiming. He saw the spoiled excesses that caused people to believe they were justified IN their sin. He probably never met an actual disciple of Christ. As such what he was rejecting was legitimate as Jesus will also reject these. As in..Lord lord....And...go away you workers of iniquity. It's not Gandhi's fault that he could discern charlatans. It's to his credit.

Keep in mind though that those who want to reject Christ often point to those who bring the gospel into disrepute as a reason or excuse.

That's on the hypocrites...they will pay for their false witness. However, we are not judged based on our beliefs anyway...but on what we did...our works. Read the bible.

The devil is always hard at work trying to do that, to bring Christ into disrepute for that purpose.

His number one victim is the namer and claimer in the superficiality of those who claim to believe. If the devil can divert them from entering into the truth....then he can display a counterfeit to the world that the true righteous ones will reject....as they should. Only the self-love of posers will adopt a false gospel...mischaracterizing a merciful God.

There have been real Christian missionaries laying down their lives and going to India seeking to lift the people up, not put them down.

True. And there have been real conversions. There will always be a remnant of actual disciples. But these are few, and not found in rich countries for the most part. Most in those countries are stored for judgment.

We should not be hypocritical, no. But it can't be denied that many who point to the hypocrisy of others do so as an excuse to reject the gospel.

Which gospel? God rewards people for rejecting lies. Which lies would you recommend to non-believers?

Nowadays they are looking at all the big name televangelists and mega church pastors........is that real Christianity?

Well, you have the very same doctrines that they have. What's the difference? It's all just religion....and partisan ideology....as in...if you don't believe such and such....you are going straight to hell. (Imagine some pulpit smasher with wild eyes) Quite the spectacle. :cool:

 

[Johann]

That's not in the bible. You are reading a mis-translation...and if you could read what I'm typing, you would see that aphesis means "freedom" not forgiveness.

Incorrect-and no need to attack our Bibles. @Episkopos I am watching you!


Analysis of 1 John 1:8-9: Forgiveness vs. Freedom
Greek Text and Translation
1 John 1:8-9 is written in Koine Greek. Let’s look at the original Greek text and examine the specific terms used for "forgive" and their meanings.

1 John 1:8-9 in Greek:

1 John 1:8: Ἐὰν εἴπωμεν ὅτι ἁμαρτίαν οὐκ ἔχομεν, ἑαυτοὺς πλανῶμεν, καὶ ἡ ἀλήθεια οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ἡμῖν.
1 John 1:9: Ἐὰν ὁμολογῶμεν τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν, πιστός ἐστιν καὶ δίκαιος, ἵνα ἀφῇ ἡμῖν τὰς ἁμαρτίας καὶ καθαρίσῃ ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης ἀδικίας.
Key Terms:

"ἀφῇ" (aphe): The term translated as "forgive" in many English versions. The root of this word is "ἀφίημι" (aphiēmi), which means to send away, release, or pardon.
"ὁμολογῶμεν" (homologōmen): Means to confess or to acknowledge.
"ἁμαρτίας" (hamartias): Refers to sins.
Translation and Interpretation

1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive (ἀφῇ) us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
The verb "ἀφῇ" comes from "ἀφίημι," which has a range of meanings including to forgive, to let go, to send away, to release. The context of the passage, which speaks about confessing sins and being cleansed from unrighteousness, strongly supports the interpretation of "ἀφῇ" as "forgive."

Early Church Fathers on 1 John 1:8-9
Clement of Alexandria: He emphasizes the importance of acknowledging one's sins and the assurance of forgiveness through God's faithfulness.

Augustine: Augustine often referred to the necessity of confession and repentance for receiving forgiveness. In his writings, he interprets "ἀφῇ" as God's merciful act of forgiving sins.

John Chrysostom: Chrysostom’s homilies often stress the cleansing power of confession and God’s readiness to forgive the truly repentant. He uses "ἀφίημι" in the context of divine forgiveness rather than freedom.

Forgiveness vs. Freedom in Biblical Context
While "ἀφίημι" can mean to release or set free in some contexts, in passages dealing with sin and confession, it is more accurately understood as forgiveness. The idea is that sin is something that binds or enslaves, and forgiveness is the release from that bondage. Hence, forgiveness can imply a form of freedom—from the bondage of sin.

Scholarly Consensus
Most biblical scholars and translators agree that in 1 John 1:9, "ἀφῇ" is best understood as "forgive" due to the context of sin and confession. The translation aligns with how early church fathers interpreted the passage and how forgiveness is thematically presented throughout the New Testament.


The term "ἀφῇ" in 1 John 1:9, while it can mean release or freedom in some contexts, is correctly translated as "forgive" in this passage. This interpretation is consistent with the broader biblical narrative on sin and forgiveness, as well as with early church teachings. Understanding the Greek term in its immediate and broader scriptural context supports the traditional translation and theological interpretation of this verse.

The Greek word "ἀφίημι" (aphiēmi) is used frequently in the New Testament and the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) in contexts related to forgiveness. Here are some examples that illustrate its connection to forgiveness:

New Testament Examples
Matthew 6:12 (The Lord’s Prayer)

Greek: καὶ ἄφες ἡμῖν τὰ ὀφειλήματα ἡμῶν, ὡς καὶ ἡμεῖς ἀφήκαμεν τοῖς ὀφειλέταις ἡμῶν.
Translation: "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."
Context: Jesus teaches His disciples to pray for forgiveness of sins as they forgive others.
Mark 2:5

Greek: καὶ ἰδὼν ὁ Ἰησοῦς τὴν πίστιν αὐτῶν λέγει τῷ παραλυτικῷ· Τέκνον, ἀφίενταί σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι.
Translation: "And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, 'Son, your sins are forgiven.'"
Context: Jesus forgives the sins of a paralyzed man, demonstrating His authority to forgive sins.
Luke 7:47-48

Greek: διό, λέγω σοι, ἀφέωνται αἱ ἁμαρτίαι αὐτῆς αἱ πολλαί, ὅτι ἠγάπησεν πολύ· ᾧ δὲ ὀλίγον ἀφίεται, ὀλίγον ἀγαπᾷ. εἶπεν δὲ αὐτῇ· Ἀφέωνταί σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι.
Translation: "Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little. And he said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven.'"
Context: Jesus forgives the sins of a woman who shows great love and repentance.
Acts 2:38

Greek: Πέτρος δὲ πρὸς αὐτούς· Μετανοήσατε, καὶ βαπτισθήτω ἕκαστος ὑμῶν ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ εἰς ἄφεσιν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ὑμῶν καὶ λήμψεσθε τὴν δωρεὰν τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος.
Translation: "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.'"
Context: Peter calls for repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
Old Testament Examples (Septuagint)
Leviticus 4:20

Greek (LXX): καὶ ποιήσει τῷ μόσχῳ, καθὼς ἐποίησε τῷ μόσχῳ τῆς ἁμαρτίας, οὕτως ποιήσει αὐτῷ· καὶ ἐξιλασεται ὁ ἱερεὺς περὶ αὐτῶν, καὶ ἀφεθήσεται αὐτοῖς.
Translation: "And he shall do with the bull as he did with the bull of the sin offering; thus shall he do with it. And the priest shall make atonement for them, and they shall be forgiven."
Context: Instructions for sin offerings and the resulting forgiveness.
Psalm 103:12

Greek (LXX): καθὼς ἀπέχει ἀνατολαὶ ἀπὸ δυσμῶν, ἐμάκρυνεν ἀφ' ἡμῶν τὰς ἀνομίας ἡμῶν.
Translation: "As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us."
Context: A psalm praising God for His mercy and forgiveness.
Jeremiah 31:34

Greek (LXX): καὶ οὐ μὴ διδάξωσιν ἕκαστος τὸν πολίτην αὐτοῦ καὶ ἕκαστος τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ λέγοντες· Γνῶθι τὸν Κύριον· ὅτι πάντες εἴσονται με, ἀπὸ μικροῦ αὐτῶν ἕως μεγάλου αὐτῶν, λέγει Κύριος· ὅτι ἵλεως ἔσομαι ταῖς ἀδικίαις αὐτῶν, καὶ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτῶν οὐ μὴ μνησθῶ ἔτι.
Translation: "And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."
Context: God's promise of a new covenant where sins are forgiven.
Conclusion
The use of "ἀφίημι" and its derivatives in both the Old and New Testaments consistently connects the term to the concept of forgiveness. In contexts dealing with sin and confession, it clearly conveys the idea of God's act of forgiving sins, as seen in the examples above. The translation of "ἀφίημι" as "forgive" is well-supported by its usage in Scripture and by the understanding of early church fathers.

J.

 

[Eternally Grateful]

Why do you limit God's power, and belittle His mercy and kindness...to justify yourself?

I am not limiting Gods power. Why would you acuse of such a thing,, do you have any example of how I am limiting his power?

as for me justifying myself If I thought I could justify myself. I would follow you and people like you. But I am not. Because I point to Christ. HE has justified me.. Because I can not justify myself..

You deny the truth of the scriptures? Why? To what end...beyond self-justification?

Strawman, Can you not ever talk about the word? All you do day after day is post stuff like this, do you do this to convince yourself your right? Because it has no bearing on me or my faith

That's not in the bible. You are reading a mis-translation...and if you could read what I'm typing, you would see that aphesis means "freedom" not forgiveness. Do you trust human translators? Or God? Are you able to read a concordance? It's in English.

So the law is not in the bible? The day of atonement is not in the bible? The author of Hebrews showing how without the shedding of blood there can be no forgiveness? Sin offering and sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin is not in the bible?

What bible do you read?

I always thought I was slow to understand...but compared to your "gang"...Oh my

non responsive. I am going to tru to stick on task today and not be goaded like so many of you try to do by making silly accusations

A LOT of pain.

Paid in full. Bur you know what I meant.. Just goes to show your character

False. The cleansing of sin...ATONEMENT into holiness was effected on the cross.

False, the forgiveness of sin and the atonment is the result of the cross.

We will not be perfectly holy until we enter heaven, Thats why it is said, our body is dead because of sin, our spirit is alive because of righteousness.

If Jesus did not pay for your sin, your still dead in your sin.

Again, you accuse God of being unmerciful.

So I accuse a God, who paid for the sin of all mankind and is offering them eternal life based on his grace unmerciful.

Now I really have to laugh here, Not because it sunny, But because I think you really do believe this, which is sad.

It is God's love to cleanse us into the same holiness as He has in order that we live WHERE He is.

You can;t live where he is UNTIL your sin debt is paid. and you are justified.

Until then your dead in your sin, thats why you must be born again. I am suprised your sister who keeps liking your posts has not called you out on this, considering this is why she has been attacking me for weeks on end

You have such a superficial grasp of the bible that you slander God's character. I know you do this in ignorance.

Another sideset. Again, I am not going to be goading into a persons fantasy world.

EXACTLY what you are doing. Again, everything you say is backward. You put self beyond God's character and take on a scheme that is concocted by the evil one.

lol.

I am not boasting and puffing myself up.


Thats you my friend.

 

[Episkopos]

Incorrect-and no need to attack our Bibles. @Episkopos I am watching you!

Attacking your bible? I have many bibles...and I never once had an urge to attack any of them. But I don't just read commentaries or translations thinking they are from God. How gullible can you be?

And you are watching me? LOL I grovel in mortification at your omnipresence. Who do you take yourself for? Are you here for comedic diversion...or are you that deceived? :cool:

 

[Eternally Grateful]

Are you saying that one day you hope to be a Christian?

I recieved christ 40 years ago and was adopted into his family

Your the one who teaches we must hope we will be a christian.

why do you always push what you do on others? is this not serious to you> Are you just here, in chatroom after chatroom trying to gather a following?

I have never met someone in all my life who continues of accusing others of doing the very thing he himself is doing as much as you do.

It boggles my mind..

 

[Johann]

Attacking your bible? I have many bibles...and I never once had an urge to attack any of them. But I don't just read commentaries or translations thinking they are from God. How gullible can you be?

Indicative you don't read-show me where I am using "commentary?" As for being gullible----

And you are watching me? LOL I grovel in mortification at your omnipresence. Who do you take yourself for? Are you here for comedic diversion...or are you that deceived?

Are you here distorting the Scriptures? As for being deceived-----

 

[Eternally Grateful]

Indicative you don't read-show me where I am using "commentary?" As for being gullible----

Are you here distorting the Scriptures? As for being deceived-----

it is his tactic. to try to throw you off. I sometimes wonder if they do it in fear?

I think more than likely though it comes from Pride.