Salvation Before and After Christ Death “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3: 23); however, no sin can enter heaven (Revelation 21: 27); therefore, the forgiveness of sins is extremely important to those who desire heaven as their eternal home.
Yet, there is confusion in the world about how or upon what conditions sins are forgiven today and that has developed, in large measure, by not “rightly dividing the word of truth.” (II Timothy 2: 15)
Nonetheless, God does not change (Malachi 3: 6) and “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever. (Hebrews 13: 8); however, He does change the way he deals with humanity. For example, He doesn’t create women today in the same way He made Eve. (Genesis 2: …show more content…
The friends learned that Jesus was in the house; nonetheless, the door was blocked by the crowd. Yet, because of the friend’s faith in Jesus’ healing power, they uncovered a portion of the roof and lowered the man on his bed down into the presence of the Lord. “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven you. (Mark 2:5) Then, He healed the man of the Palsy.
When Jesus saw the faith of the man’s friends, He forgave his sins. No other conditions were required.
Later, at Simon’s house, a woman came and wet the Lord’s feet with her tears, dried them with her hair; kissed them and anointed them. It is commonly said that this woman was Mary Magdalene, but there is no proof of that in scripture. She was apparently a well-known sinner in the city who had heard the teaching of Jesus and wanted to make a change in her life.
Anyway, a Pharisee noted that she was a sinner; however, Jesus said, “Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little. Then he said unto her, Your sins are forgiven. (Luke 7: 47-48) and “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” So the sinful woman’s sins were forgiven based on her Love and …show more content…
Now, there are people who have cited the case of the thief being granted salvation without water baptism and concluded that baptism is not necessary in order to receive salvation today. But, if one can be granted salvation simply by requesting it, another person, with equal justification, could appeal to the case of the palsied man and expect salvation based upon the faith of his friends.
The fact is, while Jesus was on the earth he had the authority to forgive sins directly, upon whatever terms he chose. At the time of his death, however, his authority was transferred to His “will or testament” (Hebrews 9:15-17). And the terms of that Will specify baptism as a condition of pardon (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21, etc.). And no one; no one at all has the right to exclude that condition by appealing to something the Lord did before His
Yet, there is confusion in the world about how or upon what conditions sins are forgiven today and that has developed, in large measure, by not “rightly dividing the word of truth.” (II Timothy 2: 15)
Nonetheless, God does not change (Malachi 3: 6) and “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever. (Hebrews 13: 8); however, He does change the way he deals with humanity. For example, He doesn’t create women today in the same way He made Eve. (Genesis 2: …show more content…
The friends learned that Jesus was in the house; nonetheless, the door was blocked by the crowd. Yet, because of the friend’s faith in Jesus’ healing power, they uncovered a portion of the roof and lowered the man on his bed down into the presence of the Lord. “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven you. (Mark 2:5) Then, He healed the man of the Palsy.
When Jesus saw the faith of the man’s friends, He forgave his sins. No other conditions were required.
Later, at Simon’s house, a woman came and wet the Lord’s feet with her tears, dried them with her hair; kissed them and anointed them. It is commonly said that this woman was Mary Magdalene, but there is no proof of that in scripture. She was apparently a well-known sinner in the city who had heard the teaching of Jesus and wanted to make a change in her life.
Anyway, a Pharisee noted that she was a sinner; however, Jesus said, “Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little. Then he said unto her, Your sins are forgiven. (Luke 7: 47-48) and “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” So the sinful woman’s sins were forgiven based on her Love and …show more content…
Now, there are people who have cited the case of the thief being granted salvation without water baptism and concluded that baptism is not necessary in order to receive salvation today. But, if one can be granted salvation simply by requesting it, another person, with equal justification, could appeal to the case of the palsied man and expect salvation based upon the faith of his friends.
The fact is, while Jesus was on the earth he had the authority to forgive sins directly, upon whatever terms he chose. At the time of his death, however, his authority was transferred to His “will or testament” (Hebrews 9:15-17). And the terms of that Will specify baptism as a condition of pardon (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21, etc.). And no one; no one at all has the right to exclude that condition by appealing to something the Lord did before His