Bible Question:
John 20:23 "If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained." By retain is Jesus giving the Disciples the power to judge others sins to tell them they aren't forgiven I thought only God could make a determination like that. I've read other translations and it actually says forgiven and unforgiven so whats the scoop here what is he telling the disciples? |
Bible Answer: Hi some1sbubba, Good question. Has someone taken the authority of judgment out of the hands of the Father? I think they have. Do you remember the story of Peter preaching to the Greek centurion Cornelius, Acts 10:42 "And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead." Peter preached salvation in Christ, and they believed and the Holy Spirit fell on those who heard and believd. Outside the church forgiveness always comes through the cross. Inside the church there may be cause to believe that the elders possess authority to mediate disputes and make judgments which those who hear better take to heart, Matt 18:16-18 may be an example of this. But salvation is the NT is offered to the world through the gospel. Rom 10:13 'for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." Rom 10:14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?' We then offer salvation which Christ has bought to the world. He has commissioned us to do this. God bless, tortoise |