SUNDAY SPECIAL - ONLY GOD FORGIVES SINS

Contrary to what men believe, only God can forgive the sins that have been committed against Him. Joseph Smith nor Brigham Young can forgive sins. Catholic priests cannot forgive sins. Lutheran Ministers cannot forgive sins. There are no men dead or alive who can forgive the sins that men commit against God.


ONLY GOD FORGIVES SINS!


Isaiah 43:25 "I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins. ( New American Standard Bible 1995)

ONLY GOD FORGIVES SINS


Micah 7:18 Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity ....


Only God pardons iniquity. Joesph Smith, Brigham Young, Catholic priests, nor Lutheran ministers have the authority to pardon iniquity.


Daniel 9:9 To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against Him;
Mankind has rebelled against God and He alone can grant forgiveness.


THE SCRIBES UNDERSTOOD ONLY GOD COULD FORGIVE SINS!


Mark 2:6-11 ..the scribes..7..He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?".......10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"---He said to the paralytic, 11 I say to you , get up, pick up your pallet and go home."


The problem with the scribes was they did did not realize that Jesus was God in the flesh. Joesph Smith, Brigham Young, Catholic priests, Lutheran ministers, nor any other man, was, or is God in the flesh.


DID JESUS GRANT THE APOSTLES THE AUTHORITY TO FORGIVE SINS? NO HE DID NOT!


Acts 8:18-22....20 But Peter said to him.....22 Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.


The apostle Peter did not grant forgiveness to Simon, he told Simon to pray to God for forgiveness. NOTE: Simon was already a Christian.


THE PROOF TEXT.
John 20:19-23....23 If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained."


Jesus was not giving Peter and the rest of the apostle the power to grant forgiveness of the sins to men on an individual basis, Jesus was not ordaining them as priests with that power. Jesus was giving Peter and the apostle the authority to proclaim the terms for forgiveness of sins. Peter and the apostles did just that on the Day of Pentecost. Acts 2:22-38......36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ---this Jesus whom you crucified."37....Peter and the rest of the apostles.....38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.


Peter and the apostles did "not" forgive sins on the Day of Pentecost or any subsequent day. They declared the terms for pardon:FAITH (John 3:16) REPENTANCE (Acts 2:38) CONFESSION (Romans 10:9-10) WATER BAPTISM (Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:20-21)


CHRISTIANS ARE NOT ASKED TO CONFESS TO JOESPH SMITH, BRIGHAM YOUNG, CATHOLIC PRIESTS, LUTHERAN MINISTERS NOR ANY OTHER MEN IN ORDER TO HAVE THEIR SINS AGAINST GOD FORGIVEN!


Christians are to confess their sins to God in order to receive forgiveness.( 1 John 1:5-9 ...God is light...9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from unrighteousness.) NOTE: Confessing sins and asking God for forgiveness is only available to Christians. Non-Christians must have FAITH, REPENT, CONFESS JESUS AS LORD, AND BE BAPTIZED IN WATER IN ORDER TO HAVE THEIR SINS FORGIVEN.
ONLY GOD FORGIVES SINS

Credits to Steve Finnel - http://christian-with-a-view.blogspot.com/