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NASB | John 20:22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them and *said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 20:22 And when He said this, He breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. [Acts 1:8; 2:1-3] |
Subject: Retain or forgive sins? |
Bible Note: Hi, flinkywood... It's that pesky, old word "alone." Scripture alone: The Word teaches that officers of the church can only declare what God has already done (John 20:23), not that He partners with the apostles. We don't find a single example in Scripture of church officers forgiving sin. Instead, they direct every to seek forgiveness from God. Clearly they did not interpret John 20:23 as the authority to forgive sins. Therefore, one must find some other authority on which to base such a doctrine. Grace alone and faith alone: Justification can only come from the judge Himself (Romans 3:30; 8:32-34). Sin is, after all, a direct offense against God's law (Romans 5:13), will (Leviticus 26:24), and holiness. Christ alone: The forgiveness of sins is always connected to the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 24:46-48). It is never joined with anything else. He is our sole advocate (1 John 2:1). To the glory of God alone: The Lord does not share His glory with anyone or anything (Isaiah 42:8). Redemption originates in Him (Psalm 3:8), is effected by Him (Hebrews 12:2), worked entirely by Him (Ephesians 2:8), and entirely for Him (Psalm 21:5; Isaiah 48:9). In Him, Doc "The experience of the Romish Church, in which the priests are practically regarded as having the power to absolve sinners, and shut heaven against persons not absolved, affords the strongest indirect evidence that our Lord's words can only have been meant to bear a 'declarative' sense. Anything worse or more mischievous, both to minister and people, than the results of the Romish system of penance and absolution, it is impossible to conceive. It is a system which has practically degraded the laity, puffed up and damaged the clergy, turned people away from Christ, and kept them in spiritual darkness and bondage." --J. C. Ryle |