Results 1 - 4 of 4
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Retain or forgive sins? | John 20:22 | flinkywood | 204785 | ||
Doc, I'd agree with you if scripture did: And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. (Jas 5:15) This verse seems to echo both in form and practice Jesus' healing of the paralytic in Matthew 9:2-8, which indicates that Jerusalem elders, called to imitate Christ, were doing so in a manner already well established by the time of James' writing. These verses lend credence to an interpretation of John 20:23 as indicating that our Lord did indeed authorize the apostles to forgive sin - and most certainly in His name. I do appreciate your view of John 20:23 as a commission to declare what God has already done; but Jesus hadn't yet ascended to the Father and was still about the business of founding and teaching His fledgling church on earth. For sure we're called to proclaim the Gospel and to "be holy" as our Father is Holy, but in this verse forgiving and retaining, like binding and loosing, are more about institution than proclamation. And of course none of it, not one jot or tittle, would be possible without the atoning work of Christ. I also take issue with you about Jesus not partnering with the apostles. How else to take the meaning of, "As the Father sent me, so I send you"? These are his brothers, his family, what better partners? And though I respect J.C. Ryle's opinion, it does sound like saying, 'the fact that cars kill so many people proves they were never meant for driving.' In other words, a conclusion doesn't change a fact. Thanks for your careful reply. Colin |
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2 | Retain or forgive sins? | John 20:22 | Val | 204787 | ||
Colin, this passage in James 5:15 if you look at it closely you will see that the person who is sick is the one who initiates the call for the leaders of the church to come pray over him. Some believe this means that God has put this in the heart of the sick person and it is this impression from God that is an assurance of his healing. We know not all sick people are healed here on earth so it is not for everyone, just those whom God has put this in their hearts. | ||||||
3 | Retain or forgive sins? | John 20:22 | flinkywood | 204790 | ||
Hi, Val, Nevertheless, James tells us that the healing is accompanied by forgiveness for any sins committed. | ||||||
4 | Retain or forgive sins? | John 20:22 | Val | 204816 | ||
Are you still holding to your comments that it is man who forgives the sins? | ||||||