The Mystery Of Sin Atonement: Understanding Redemption

The remission of sins is a central concept in Christianity. According to the Bible, Jesus told his apostles: Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained (John 20:23). This means that the apostles had the power to forgive sins, but only in the sense that they preached the doctrine of Christ, which, when obeyed, brought God's forgiveness. In other words, the apostles could not forgive sins themselves, but they could instruct sinners on how to receive God's forgiveness.

Through the apostles' preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

The apostles did not have any "special power" within themselves to remit sins. Instead, they preached the doctrine of Christ, which, when obeyed, brought God's forgiveness and salvation to the obedient.

The apostle Peter told people to repent and be baptised for the remission of their sins. The Lord added to his church all those who did this. Simon of Samaria was one of those thus added to the Lord's church.

Jesus said to his apostles, "Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained". This means that the apostles could forgive sins by preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which, when obeyed, brought God's forgiveness. If those who sinned did what God required of them to be forgiven, they were forgiven.

Through baptism

Baptism is seen as a way of remitting sins, and is referenced in the Nicene Creed (AD 381), which states that we believe in "one baptism for the remission of sins". This is also referenced in the Bible, which states that the sinner's sins are washed away through baptism.

Baptism is seen as a sign of obedience and an ordinance that precedes the gift of the Holy Ghost. It is not a cleansing or washing ordinance, but rather a way of purifying the conscience and regenerating the soul. The act of baptism involves being dunked thrice in water, with the words "I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost".

However, some argue that it is not the act of baptism itself that remits sins, but rather the grace of God and the blood of Christ. Ultimately, it is God who has the power to remit sins and give grace and eternal life.

Through the apostles' successors, who are said to have the power to forgive sins

The apostles did not have any "special power" to remit sins, but they could forgive sins by preaching the doctrine of Christ. When sinners obeyed the Gospel of Jesus Christ, God remitted their sins.

> Jesus said to his apostles, "Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained" (John 20:23).

Some believe that the apostles had successors, and that there continues to be a religious hierarchy of men who are successors of the apostles, with the power to forgive sins. This is said to be done through the "sacrament of confession". However, the Bible does not mention confession as a sacrament.

The apostle Peter told people to repent and be baptised for the remission of their sins. Those who did this were added to the church.

Through repentance

The apostles preached and taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and when sinners believed that Gospel and obeyed it, God remitted or forgave their sins. The apostle Peter told people to repent and be baptised for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38). The Lord added to his church all those who did this (Acts 2:41, 47).

Simon of Samaria was one of those added to the Lord's church. After he was added to the church, he sinned and Peter told him to repent and pray for remission or forgiveness of his sin (Acts 8:18-24). Therefore, the way the apostles remitted the sins of those in the church who erred from the truth was by telling them how to get God's forgiveness. If those who sinned did what God required of them to be forgiven, they were forgiven.

Being saved and having sins remitted are the same. The apostles did not have any "special power" within themselves to remit sins in the sense that some teach; they could only forgive or remit sins in the sense that they preached the doctrine of Christ, which, when obeyed, brought God's forgiveness and salvation to the obedient (Hebrews 5:8-9).

Jesus said to his apostles, "Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained" (John 20:23). This passage of Scripture should be studied in light of all other passages that speak on the same subject. Some affirm that the apostles had successors, and that there continues until the present a religious hierarchy consisting of men who are successors of the apostles, and that these men are endowed as were the apostles with power to forgive sins. It is said that through the "sacrament of confession" these "clergymen" forgive sins. However, the Bible says nothing of confession as a "sacrament".

Through obedience to the doctrine of Christ

The apostles did not have any "special power" within themselves to remit sins. They could only forgive or remit sins in the sense that they preached the doctrine of Christ, which, when obeyed, brought God's forgiveness and salvation to the obedient.

Jesus said to his apostles, "Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained" (John 20:23). This implies that the apostles had the power to forgive sins, and that this power continues until the present day through a religious hierarchy of men who are successors of the apostles.

The apostle Peter told people to repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38). The Lord added to his church all those who did this (Acts 2:41, 47). Simon of Samaria was one of those thus added to the Lord's church.

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