Remission of Sins
The Purpose of Preaching Remission of Sins
For the Jews, knowledge of their salvation would come through the preaching of “remission of sins.” This is told to us in Luke 1:76-77. In these verses, we see Luke tell of the prophesy of Zachariah, who prophesied that the “prophet of the Highest,” will give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the “remission of their sins.” These verses refer to John the Baptist, who would be the first to preach “remission of sins.”
Luke 1:76-77
76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins.
In the Bible, we see John the Baptist, Matthew, Mark, Luke, Peter, Paul, Jesus and Zachariah speak of “remission of sins.”
Mark and Luke, tell of John the Baptist preaching the baptism of repentance for the “remission of sins.” These verses are Mark 1:4 and Luke 3:3.
In Matthew 26:28 Jesus tells His apostles that His blood is the blood of the New Testament, which is shed for “many” for the “remission of sins.”
On Pentecost, Peter preached baptism for the “remission of sins.”
Acts 2:38 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.
Jesus said that repentance and “remission of sins” should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Luke 24:46-47
46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Those Jews who have received “remission of sins” will have their sins totally “blotted out” when Christ returns and establishes His Millennial Kingdom, as recorded in Acts 3:19.
Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
Non-Imputation of Sins
Currently, God is not imputing sins. We see in Romans 4:15 and Romans 5:13 that sins are not currently being imputed to us.
Romans 4:15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
Romans 5:13 For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
Additionally, in II Corinthians 5:18-19 we are told that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them.
However, to have our sins forgiven we have to appropriate the blood of Christ. We do this through our belief of the gospel of the grace of God. Our sins are totally forgiven when we believe that Christ died for our sins, was buried and that God raised Christ from the dead.
Forgiveness of Sins
How We Receive Forgiveness of Sins
All of our sins are forgiven and we are saved eternally through our belief of the gospel of the grace of God recorded in I Corinthians 15:1-4.
I Corinthians 15:1-4
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.
Imputed Righteousness
Abraham believed in the promises of God and his faith was imputed to him for righteousness – Romans 4:21-22.
Likewise God’s righteousness is imputed to us when we believe Christ died for our sins, was buried and that God raised Christ from the dead – Romans 4:24-25.
Romans 4:24-25
24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
When we believe the gospel of the grace of God we have “forgiveness of sins” through the blood of Jesus Christ.
The following verses tell us that we have “forgiveness of sins” through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.
Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses.