Chapter 13: Martin Luther Believed That He and His Preachers Can Forgive Your Sin As God, Him...
Chapter Thirteen Martin Luther Believed That He and His Preachers Can Forgive Your Sin As God, Himself.
Since Martin Luther agreed with the Roman Catholic organization...
...that priests could be "mediators between God and man," and could forgive sin, he continued to propagate this false doctrine in his Catechisms. The Pope was able to get Martin Luther out of the Catholic Church; but, no one could get the Catholic Church out of Luther!
Who Can Forgive Sin?
A Minister, Priest, or Jesus Christ? This question has surfaced numerous times down through the years. One must remember--when you have placed your confidence in any priest or minister as mediator between yourself and God, you have acknowledged them as being equal with Christ. You have then placed yourself in a position to be susceptible to any other false teaching that they present. For any minister or priest to declare that you must go through him to obtain forgiveness of sins is ludicrous, apostate, and diametrically opposed to the Word of God.
Martin Luther, the Master of Deceit, continued this lie by deceiving his followers into thinking that he, himself, and his fellow pastors can forgive your sins. Here are Luther's own words, as stated in his Small Catechism, P.188, under:
"CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION.
What is Confession? Confession embraces two parts. One is that we confess our sins; the other, that we received absolution, or forgiveness, from the pastor as from God Himself, and in no wise doubt, but firmly believe, that by it our sins are forgiven before God in Heaven."
On the same page, under #284, he emphasizes the same,
"...BEFORE THE PASTOR we should confess those sins only which we know and feel in our hearts."
Again on Page 189, he stresses the importance of people obtaining absolution from the Pastor instead of God.
"BEFORE THE PASTOR we should confess those sins only which we know and feel in our hearts."
Luther continues this lie to deceive his followers into believing that he and his fellow preachers are replacing God in forgiving your sins. Here are Luther's own words.
"How should we regard the absolution, or forgiveness of sins, pronounced by the Pastor?
We should regard the absolution as if pronounced by God Himself, and in no wise doubt, but firmly believe, that by it our sins are forgiven before God in Heaven."
Now that Luther has his followers brainwashed into believing that he and his preachers are standing in God's shoes, with the power to forgive your sins; he continues by instructing the clergy as to what they are to say to the congregation. The Lutheran Pastor, for example, usually instructs the congregation as to what they are to believe and then expects a positive response.
For example: the following is taken and quoted from the writings of the Evangelical Lutheran Synodical Conference of North America and published by the Concordia Publishing House in Saint Louis, Missouri.
The Preacher says:
"Do you promise that with the aid of the Holy Ghost you will henceforth amend your sinful life? Then declare by saying: I do promise."
The Preacher says:
"Finally, do you believe that THROUGH ME, a called servant of God, you will RECEIVE THE FORGIVENESS OF ALL YOUR SINS? Then declare so by saying: I do believe. As you believe, even so may it be unto you."
The Preacher says: (although none of this is found in the Bible), and which is an exact quote from Luther in his Small Catechism, P. 190, Par. 287.
THE ABSOLUTION
"Upon this your confession, I, BY VIRTUE OF MY OFFICE, AS A CALLED AND ORDAINED SERVANT OF THE LORD, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I FORGIVE YOU ALL YOUR SINS in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, Amen."
To further the heresy that Luther imported from the Catholic Church we find in his Small Catechism, Pages 190 and 191, Paragraph 288.
"How should we regard the absolution, or forgiveness of sins, pronounced by the pastor?
We should regard the absolution as if pronounced by God Himself and in no wise doubt, but firmly believe, that by it our sins are forgiven before God in heaven.
666. Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them. John 20:23.
667. Whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matthew 18:18."
The question many have asked is, "Does the Lutheran preacher forgive his wife's sins also? Does he forgive his children's' sins, and does he forgive HIS OWN SINS?
The Roman Catholic Organization.
And since similar ideas about Confession and Absolution appear in almost all Catholic literature, the following quotes are from the Father Connell's Confraternity Edition, New Baltimore Catechism under "Penance."
"Penance is also a sacrament instituted by Our Divine Savior in which sins committed after Baptism are forgiven through the absolution of the Priest." (P. 221, Lesson 29, Penance, Question #379 ).
"The Priest has the power to forgive sins from Jesus Christ, who said to His apostles and to their successors in the Priesthood: 'Receive the Holy Spirit; whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; whose sins you shall retain, they are retained." (John 20:22-23). (P. 221, Lesson 29, Penance, Question #380 ).
"No man, by his own power and authority, could possibly forgive sins. Only God can do that because sin is an offense against Him. BUT the Priest, as God's representative, can forgive sins because God has given him the power to do so." (Scripture Quotation is Matthew 18:15-18). (P. 221, Lesson 29, Penance, Question #380, Par. (c) ).
"Our Savior could indeed have decreed that men should receive the Pardon of their sins by going directly to God with contrition. BUT a sacrament, administered by men in the name of God, IS A MORE ASSURING AND A MORE EFFECTIVE MEANS." (P. 223, Lesson 29, Penance, "Important Truths About Penance" ).
"The power to forgive sins by pronouncing these words of absolution is given to the priest at his ordination. In order to exercise this power the priest must have jurisdiction, or be authorized to ACT AS A SPIRITUAL JUDGE OVER THE PERSONS HE ABSOLVES..." (P. 222, Lesson 29, Penance, Question #381, Par.(a).).
THE PRIEST FORGIVES SINS WITH THE WORDS: 'I absolve thee from thy sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Amen." (P. 221, Lesson 29, Penance, Question #381).
One might notice under Point #3 that the Catholic Church acknowledges that no man has the power to forgive sins, but God only. They, then, transfer that power to their priests, who are most certainly only mortal men! They give a truth with one hand and take it away with the other hand. The following Scriptures are those they use to support their position:
Matthew 9:5-8.
"For whether is easier, to say, thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? (V.5). But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go into thine house. (V.6). And he arose and departed to his house. (V.7) But when the multitudes saw it, they marveled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men."(V.8).
Matthew 18:15-18.
"Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.(V.15). But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. (V.16). And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. (V.17).
"Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (V.18). (Also used by Martin Luther, Small Catechism, Page 182).
John 20:21-23.
"Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. (V.21).
And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them; (V.22). Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained." (V.23). (Also used by Martin Luther, Small Catechism, Page 183).
Matthew 16:19.
"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Also used by Martin Luther, Small Catechism, Page 183).
The Purpose of Miracles In The New Testament.
The 12 Apostles were given power to do healing and miracles; but, no human being was ever given the power to forgive sin!
We now examine the purpose of miracles in the New Testament. Christ performed hundreds of miracles, beginning with His first miracle of turning the water into wine in John 2:1-11. Not all miracles were recorded. John tells us in John 20:30,
"And many other signs (Gr. semeion, miracles) truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book." The purpose of the miracles which are recorded, is given in John 20:31.
"But these are written that ye might believe that Jesus (His humanity) is the Christ (deity, i.e., God in human flesh), the Son of God (by the Virgin Birth); and that believing ye might have life through his name."
In John 1:11 it is recorded that,
"He came unto his own (Israel) and his own received him not."
Christ declared to Israel that He was their Messiah (John 1:41), Savior (Luke 2:11), Sin-bearer (Matthew 1:21), and King (Matthew 2:2); but the religious leaders wanted nothing to do with Him. In Hebrews 2:3-4 the Word of God declares,
"How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him."(V.3).
"God also bearing them (Israel) witness, both with SIGNS AND WONDERS, and with DIVERS MIRACLES , and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will."(V.4).
In Matthew 9:1-8 Christ had healed a man sick of palsy (a paralytic) as proof that He had the power to forgive sins also. Anyone can say, "I will forgive your sins," but the miracle of healing was "proof positive" that He was truly the Son of God! In Matthew 10:8, this power of healing and other miracles would also be given to the Twelve Apostles, and to The Seventy in Luke 10:1-42. As we are going to see from Scriptures, no human being was ever given the power to forgive sins. The message of the Twelve Apostles was that Christ was to bear our sin on the cross, and by the power given to them to perform miracles, their message was substantiated as authentic. In Matthew 10:6-7, they were to go ONLY to the nation of Israel.
"…go, rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 10:6-7).
The power given them is recorded in (Matthew 10:8...
"Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils (demons): freely ye have received , freely give."
Nowhere in Matthew, Chapter 10, do you find they were given power to forgive anyone's sins. Their message and commission was to preach that...
…the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
The reason the Kingdom was "at hand" is that the King was here. When any Jew believed this message, their sins were forgiven. Matthew 1:21 states that,
"He (Christ) shall save his people from their sins." (Also note John 1:29).
The Seventy in Luke 10:9; Luke 10:17; Luke 10:19-20 were given the same power to perform miracles. Notice carefully, as you read Luke 10:1-42, NOWHERE do you find the Seventy being given the power to forgive sins! Their message to their own nation was that Jesus Christ was their Savior and Messiah. "Dr. Luke" stated earlier in Luke 2:11,
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."
Christ's crucifixion and resurrection were God's payment for our sins. Paul declared this in writing to the Ephesians, and we find it in Ephesians 1:7.
"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace."
Every minister that loves the Lord Jesus Christ will never draw attention to himself, let alone claim the power to forgive sin. He will declare, as Paul did in 1 Corinthians 2:2 and 1 Corinthians 3:1,
"For I determined not to know anything among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified."
" . . .He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord" (Not in himself.)"
To the Seventy who preached Christ and him crucified, the Lord said concerning their hearers in Luke 10:16...
"He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me."
Keep in mind, it was the message they preached that would be accepted or rejected! The message would save or condemn, and that God's word is truth (John 17:17). Ezekiel stated that God's word would be done; i.e., whatever God says He will back it up from Heaven…
" . ..but the word which I have spoken shall be done, saith the Lord GOD." (Ezekiel 12:28).
Scriptural Explanation of "the Keys" and "Binding And Loosing."
There is no great mystery about this! The same guarantee of God backing up His Word from Heaven, is in Christ's words to Peter in Matthew 16:19…
"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Vine's Expository Dictionary of Greek New Testament Words has this to say in reference to the Word "bind":
"The Lord's Words to the Apostle Peter in Matthew 16:19 as to binding, and to all the disciples in 18:18 signify, in the former case, that the apostle, by his ministry of the Word of life, would keep unbelievers outside the kingdom of God; and admit those who believed."
Thank you, Dr. Vine! It could not be made any clearer! The "keys" are symbolic of the Gospel which, if believed, unlocks Heaven for eternity; or, if rejected, shuts up Heaven to the unbeliever.
The "keys" spoken of in Matthew 16:19 were first used by Peter on the day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2:1-47. Nowhere did Peter or the Eleven ever even HINT that they could or would forgive anyone's sins! The whole chapter is a testimony concerning Christ, the resurrection and His forgiveness. Here are Peter's Words in Acts 2:21,
"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved..
They were saved because of the Word of God Peter preached. They were afterwards baptized as a public testimony of their faith. Notice Peter's Words in Acts 2:41…
"Then they that gladly received his Word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about 3,000 souls."
Peter used the "keys" (symbolic of God's Word) again in Acts 10:1-48. God sent Peter to the Gentile named Cornelius, to show the Jews that the Gentiles could be saved also. Read Chapter 10 and nowhere do you find Peter EVER claimed the power to forgive anyone's sins. Peter directed the lost to Christ and Him alone. Here are Peter's Words in Acts 10:43…
"To him (Christ) gave all the prophets witness, that through his (Christ's) name whosoever believeth in him (Christ) shall receive remission of sins."
Unlike Peter, some clergy, through pride, love to claim this power for themselves and love to mediate between God and man. In doing so they outright deny and resist God' s Word. 1 Timothy 2:5 blatantly declares that,
"For there is one God, and ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MAN, the man CHRIST JESUS."
When God's servants preach His Word on earth, it will divide. Those who believe it are saved and, those who do not are lost! It is as simple as that! God's Word is so powerful it will divide as a sharp, two-edged sword (He-brews 4:12). Isaiah 55:11 declares that His Word will not return unto Him void and empty.
Those in Matthew 16:10 that are bound on earth, are those who have believed God's WORD and are saved. They have the promises of the Omniscient and Omnipotent God, that in Heaven, He will make good the promises that He gave on earth. The same goes for those who reject God's Word (John 3:36). Even though many do not believe in Christ, the Word of God, or Hell; it will not alter God's faithfulness to his WORD when he pronounces their sentence in Matthew 25:41…
" ...Depart from me ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels."
Then they will realize that, not in all the New Testament; nor in Peter's two epistles, was there the vestige, either claimed or exercised, of Peter forgiving anyone's sin. Who will you believe--man or God? Romans 3:4 makes it perfectly clear concerning God's Word…
"God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar..."
Comparison of John 20:23 to Martin Luther's False Philosophy.
"Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained." (John 20:23).
John 20:23 is one of the verses relied upon, as the strongest, to support this position of "binding and loosing" held by Martin Luther and his followers, as well as the Roman Catholic organization. This, they claim, is the right and power given to them by God to forgive your sins.
Martin Luther's "Office of the Keys."
Martin Luther quotes this verse in his Small Catechism on Page 181, Part V, giving it the title "The Office of the Keys." Here are his words below:
"What is the Office of the Keys?
It is the peculiar church power which Christ has given to His Church on earth to forgive the sins of penitent sinners, but to retain the sins of the impenitent as long as they do not repent."
By calling this the "Office of the Keys," it reveals a combination of John 20:23 with Matthew 16:19. Martin Luther, to further complete his blasphemy against God's grace, states in his Small Catechism on Page 182, Par. 268,
268. "Why is this power called the Office of the Keys? This power is called the Office of the Keys because it opens heaven by forgiving sins, or closes heaven by retaining sins."
Then, just as the Catholic organization gives a power with one hand and takes it back with another, Martin Luther declares that Christ gave the Church the Office of the Keys. Then the church gives it to the men they ordain as pastors. The evidence is below and the blasphemy is complete!
"How does the local congregation publicly administer the Office of the Keys? According to God's will the Christian congregation chooses and calls men as ministers, who in the name of Christ and in the name of the congregation publicly perform the functions of the Office of the Keys..."(Small Catechism, P. 185, Par. 275.).
"The called ministers of Christ preach the Word of God, administer the Sacraments, and through these means of grace offer and convey the forgiveness of sins. This is as valid, in heaven also, as if Christ, our dear Lord, dealt with us Himself." (Small Catechism, P.185, 186, Par. 276).
Martin Luther believed that he had the power to open or shut heaven to poor unfortunate souls!
The Correct Exposition of John 20:23, Or, the Truth of God's Word.
To obtain the correct teaching of John 20:23, as any Bible student knows, you must compare all other Scriptures that pertain to the same subject or verse in question. When all Scriptures pertaining to the same subject AGREE, you then have the correct teaching of that subject or verse. If not, then you have a wrong interpretation or application of the verse or subject in question. This would then lead to a false teaching perpetrated upon the unsuspecting congregation.
Since all Scripture is given by the "inspiration of God" (2 Timothy 3:16), there can be no error or contradiction in God's Word. This is why Peter declared in 2 Peter 1:20 that…
"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation."
The Word "prophesy" is the Greek "propheteia" and defined by Vine's Expository Dictionary of Greek New Testament Words:
"Signifies the speaking forth of the mind and counsel of God. Though much of the Old Testament prophecy was purely predictive, it is the declaration of that which cannot be known by natural means. It is the FORTH-TELLING OF THE WILL OF GOD, WHETHER WITH REFERENCE TO THE PAST, THE PRESENT, OR THE FUTURE."
This does not mean that one cannot understand the Scriptures for themselves. It does warn against anyone building a doctrine on one, isolated, verse without comparing all other verses on the same subject. As we have learned from previous chapters, Martin Luther, the Master of Deceit, has no problem with taking Scripture out of context, removing words, or adding words. This is why the Holy Spirit inspired Paul in his second epistle to Timothy, 2:15, to emphasize the value of studying the Word of God for yourself.
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth."
Rightly dividing comes from the Greek Word "orthotom" and means "teaching Scripture accurately". Our study thus far has shown that only God, Who is Christ in human flesh, can forgive sins.
Now let us compare John 20:23 with some other Scriptures concerning forgiveness of sins, and a preacher or priest trying to place himself as mediator and intercessor between God and man..
A mediator is one who goes between God and man. There have been and still are myriads of men, either claiming they are the Christ, or that they possess special powers above others in order to be man's representative to God. Maybe you are one who actually believes your minister or priest can forgive your sins; thereby instilling in you the confidence that you are now ready for eternity. Let us examine the BIBLE and see if you have been misled, or if their claims are substantiated. Here is God's Word on the subject:
1 Timothy 2:5. "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;"
Romans 8:34. "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."
John 14:6. "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
Hebrews 7:25. "Wherefore he (Christ) is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him ( Christ), seeing He (Christ) ever liveth to make intercession for them."
Isaiah 53:12 ".. .and he (Christ) bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."
Hebrews 7:25. "Wherefore he (Christ) is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him (Christ), seeing He (Christ) ever liveth to make intercession for them."
1 John 2:1. "My little children,. these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."
Isaiah 53:12. ".. .and he (Christ) bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."
One would have to outright deny the Word of God and call Jesus Christ a liar by not acknowledging that Christ, and He alone, is the only One who can forgive our sins. Isaiah 53:5-6 describes the lost condition of man and what our wonderful Savior did for us. No wonder He is a jealous God!
"But he (Christ) was wounded for our transgressions, he (Christ) was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him (Christ): and with his stripes we are healed."(V.5).
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way and the LORD hath laid on him (Christ) the iniquity of us all." (V.6). The only One who can forgive sins is the One who paid for our sins, and that is Jesus Christ.
The only true and absolute peace a person can possess concerning eternal life comes from Jesus Christ and His payment for sin. Paul makes this perfectly clear in Romans 5:1…
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Scriptures are vouchsafed in plenty for those who have a sincere desire to know the truth. Tradition has propagated upon humanity the most dastardly evil employed by Martin Luther and his followers, as well as other clergy, to convince the unsuspecting that they have the power of Jesus Christ to forgive your sins. The following Scriptures will unmask the veil of error and illuminate the truth of God's Word:
Mark 2:10. "But that ye may know that the Son of Man (Christ) hath power on earth to forgive sins."
Luke 5:20. "And when he (Christ) saw their faith, he (Christ) said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee."
Matthew 9:6. "But that ye may know that the Son of man (Christ) hath power on earth to forgive sins,..."
Ephesians 4:32."And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
Colossians 2:13. "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him (Christ), having forgiven you ALL TRESPASSES."
1 Corinthians 15:3. "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures."
1 Peter 3:18. "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he (Christ) might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit."
John 1:29. "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. " (I don't see anything in this verse that indicates the priest or minister is the one who takes away sin.).
Romans 11:27. "For this is my covenant unto them, When I (Christ) shall take away their sins."
Acts 13:38. Be it known unto you, therefore, men and brethren, that through this man (Christ) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins." This is what every Lutheran minister and Catholic priest should be preaching; ie., that through Jesus Christ, and Him alone, is the forgiveness of sin. Our question is, and should be yours also, why are they not directing their parishioners to Christ instead of themselves? I, personally, have asked hundreds of people belonging to these two organizations to question their minister or priest, asking them why they cannot just go directly to Jesus Christ for forgiveness? Most often their answer is, "I wouldn't dare do something like that." My reply, "Why not, are you scared to?
You have a right to question your pastor or priest on ANYTHING they teach." I certainly get questioned, and it doesn't bother me as the Word of God backs me up every time!
Sad to say, the Lutheran clergy, being trained in "Luther's" seminaries, following Luther's philosophy, have almost promoted themselves to the level of a god in the eyes of their people, a practice so entrenched that their congregations feel it would be a "sin" to question their authority! It is obvious that the same is true of the Roman Catholic organization. Sad to say, that organization is able to hide the grossest of sin and are arrogant enough to be insulted when questioned about it.
We find the prophet, Jeremiah, experienced the same problem, so nothing has changed in over 2500 years!
"The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?" (Jeremiah 5:31).
Acts 13:39. "And by him (Christ) all that believe are justified (declared righteous) from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." (Please note: By believing...in Jesus Christ we are justified.)
Ephesians 1:7. "In whom we have redemption through his (Christ's) blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace."
Remember--nowhere in the New Testament can you find one case where any of the Apostle's ever forgave anyone's sin. They always pointed their listeners to Jesus Christ. If not one of the Apostles ever made that claim, then those today claiming that power have placed themselves above the Apostles, and equal with Jesus Christ, Himself.
Luke 7:47-48; Luke 7:50.
"Wherefore I (Christ) say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven..." In Luke 7:48, Christ assures this woman her sins have been forgiven:
"And He (Christ) said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven."
In Luke 7:50 the Lord gives the reason the woman's sins were forgiven. It is on the same basis that our sins are forgiven--our FAITH IN HIM--and not in a minister or priest. No priest or minister ever died for your sins, but Christ did.
"And he (Christ) said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace."
The Lord Jesus Christ forgave sins while he was on the earth, and is still the only One who can forgive sins today. Every preacher and priest is a sinner themselves, and needs forgiveness. Notice God's indictment on mankind in Romans 3:23…
"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."
My Bible says "ALL have sinned"; and I cannot find where it says, "ALL, but preachers and priests." "Coming short of the glory of God" literally means "falling short of being as righteous as God, Himself." Therefore, Romans 3:24-25 tell us how and why we have remission of sins.
"Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his (Christ's) blood, to declare his righteousness far the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God." (Romans 3:24-25).
Where do you find anything about a minister or priest being able to remit your sins? Ask your minister or priest if they are trusting Jesus Christ as the payment for their sin. The clergy go to Heaven the same way the congregation does, that is through Christ and Him alone. If their answer is "Yes," then ask them why you cannot go directly to Christ the same as they?
The only One who can forgive sin is the One who is sinless. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 the Bible declares that Christ was without sin.
"For he hath made him (Christ) to be sin (i.e. the payment for sin) for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
Would any minister or priest dare to claim they are sinless?
Remember--only the One who is without sin can forgive those who are sinners, and that is Christ Jesus. By making the claim they can forgive sins, they are actually placing themselves on equality with Christ and being sinless themselves.
I, personally, have talked to many and all deny they are sinless, but still become quite offended that one should question their self-appointed authority. Even though they deny this, their solicitation for sinners to come to them for forgiveness is an indictment against themselves by their own WORD AND PRACTICE..
1 John 1:8-10.
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (V.8).
"If we confess our sins, he (Christ) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (V.9).
"If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his (Christ's) Word is not in us." (V.10).
The First Chapter of I John is written to Christians who sin AFTER they are saved. John is addressing the Christian's service, not salvation. His fellowship with Christ, and not his Son-ship. His power for Christ as a witness, not his position with Christ in Heaven. Let us closely analyze what 1 John 1:8-10 actually says.
Who are we to confess our sins to?
Answer: Jesus Christ. Who is faithful to forgive our sins?
Answer: Jesus Christ. Who is able to cleanse us from all unrighteousness?
Answer: Jesus Christ. Should any Lutheran minister who follows Martin Luther, or a priest, even hint that they, themselves, are without sin, God says they are SELF DECEIVED (1 John 1:8), and make God a liar (1 John 1:10) .
I have been a pastor for 36 years and it is beyond my comprehension to even think I could forgive someone's sins so they could be saved; or, think they are keeping themselves saved! Of course, I forgive those who have offended me; but, that is something different altogether. That is just a personal thing and has nothing to do with where a person spends eternity.
What a blessing it has been, and still is, to direct people to our Wonderful Savior, who will forgive any and all sins. John 6:37 declares,
" and him that cometh to me (Christ) I will in no wise cast out."
There are multitudes of Scriptures in addition to what we have already quoted. Isaiah 43:25; Isaiah 44:22; Isaiah 53:5-6; Micah 7:18; Exodus 34:7; Daniel 9:17-19; and Psalms 130:1-4, could have been quoted, as well as many others.
Faithful Ministry of the Gospel Gives Remittance of Sin!
What follows is an examination of the verse most commonly used by Lutheran ministers and Catholic priests to justify their "power" in claiming they can forgive your sins. By this, they place themselves as the mediator between you and God.
"Whose soever sins ye remit they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained." (John 20:23).
As we compare other verses with John 20:23, we can easily see the only way a Christian, clergy, or layman, can remit sins is by presenting the WORD OF GOD. The Word will judge those who reject it, as Christ stated in John 12:48,
"He that rejecteth me (Christ), and receiveth not my Words , hath one that judgeth him: the WORD that I have spoken, the same (i.e., the Word) shall judge him in the last day."
In Psalms 138:2 God relates how important the Word of God is:
"I will . . . praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: FOR THOU HAST MAGNIFIED THY WORD ABOVE ALL THY NAME."
The reason the WORD is magnified above His name is that we today would not know the surety of God or His name, if it were not for the WORD OF GOD.
When a Christian witnesses to a lost person with the WORD of God, as recorded in John 3:16; John 3:36, that person then has a choice to make. If they accept Christ, they have everlasting life. Should they reject Christ until death, they will then experience the wrath of God in Hell, just as the Word of God has stated in John 3:36…
"He that believeth on the Son hath ever-lasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the WRATH OF GOD abideth on him."
When one believes God' s WORD, their sins are then remitted, not by the preacher or priest; but by the WORD OF GOD which promises them eternal life. Should they reject God's WORD, they will retain their sin. Only by presenting God's Word as a faithful witness for Christ, do we have a part in another person's salvation. This is what Christ meant in John 20:23 when he told His disciples that...
"Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them, and whose soever sins ye retain they are retained."
The Greek Word for "remit" is "aphiemi" and literally means "to send away." Vine's Expository Words in the Greek New Testament explains the use of this verb as such.
"Scripture makes clear that the Lord's Words could not have been intended to bestow the exercise of absolution which the Scripture declares is the prerogative of God alone. There is no instance in the New Testament of this act on the part of the Apostles. The Words are to be understood in a "declarative" sense; the statement has regard to the effects of their ministry of the gospel, with its two-fold effects of remission or retention."
None of the Apostles Ever Claimed the Power to Forgive Sins.
Search the New Testament through and you will not find where any of the Apostles ever claimed the power or authority to forgive anyone's sins. The Apostles always directed the lost to Christ, and Him alone, as the One who paid for sin and offers forgiveness to all in return for their faith.
Fact: The minister or priest who asks you to trust him as God's representative to forgive your sin has placed himself as mediator between you and God. God's Word in 1 Timothy 2:5 states, with no uncertainty,
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
If you are one who is trusting one of Luther's preachers or the Catholic priest to forgive your sins, instead of Jesus Christ, you will spend eternity separated from God. Christ encountered these same types of religious leaders in His day and levied a stern rebuke against them. Consider Matthew 23:13…
"But unto you, scribes and Pharisees, Hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in."
An analysis of this verse will show the strength of Christ's Words against these RELIGIOUS LEADERS:
The Scribes. In New Testament times the Scribes were the students, interpreters, and teachers of the Old Testament Scriptures, and were held in high esteem by the people. They were also called lawyers in Matthew 22:35. They were avowed opponents of Christ, and were publicly denounced by Him for making the Word of God of none effect through their tradition.
Pharisees. The name means" separated" and they were called" separatists" because they had separated themselves from the ambitious political party in their nation. They were the exponents and guardians of the written and oral law, and, in belief, were the "conservatives" in distinction from the Sadducees. Their religious orthodoxy was spiritually dead and barren. These were the religious leaders--just as you have today!
"Hypocrites!" Christ called the Scribes and Pharisees "Hypocrites" because they were aware that what they were teaching the people was not true. Christ knew this and that is why He labeled them correctly. Your minister may appear to be very humble and sincere on the surface, but when he tells you that he can forgive your sins, his true character is then exposed. Christ has this to say in Matthew 23:27…
" . . . for ye are like unto whited sepulchres which indeed appear beautiful outward, BUT are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness."
If you believe the false teaching of today's modern" scribes and pharisees", you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. "For ye shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men." I will be more specific. I am referring to the followers of Martin Luther and the Roman Catholic organization.
These false teachers are not saved and will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but Hell awaits their entry. "For ye neither go in yourselves."
Who do these ministers and priests confess their sins to? Do they forgive themselves? Have you ever heard one of these clergymen telling their congregation who they confess their sin to? If you support these churches with your money, you surely have a right to know how the Lutheran ministers or Catholic priests get their sins forgiven. Why not ask them?
Have they presented themselves to you as being without sin? I should hope not, but if that is the case with some, then, according to 1 John 1:8, God would indict them with "First Degree LYING".
"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves (not others), and the truth is not in us."
In Luke 23:43, it was Jesus Christ who forgave the thief on the cross next to Him. He didn't call for the religious leaders or the priests, did He? Only Christ could assure this thief that his sins were forgiven and give Him the absolute assurance that "TODAY SHALT THOU BE WITH ME IN PARADISE." Who are you going to trust for your salvation, the Lutheran minister who follows the writings of a man dead some 460 years ago, the Catholic priest, or JESUS CHRIST?
Ask the ministers and priests who assume the power to forgive your sins by claiming Matthew 9:8, why do they not claim and practice the power God gave the Apostles in Matthew 10:8?
"Heal the sick, cleanse the leper, raise the dead, cast out devils (demons): freely ye have received, freely give."
As Christ stated in Matthew 9:5…
"For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise and walk?"
If these Lutheran ministers and Catholic priests can legitimately forgive your sins, let us see proof of their claims such as: healing the sick, cleansing the lepers, or RAISING THE DEAD!
Notice the paradox. The Apostles had, and exercised, the powers given them by Christ in Matthew 10:8; but, NEVER claimed to possess the power to forgive anyone's sin. The Lutheran and Catholic clergy claim the power to forgive your sins; yet, are unable to exercise the power to heal the sick, raise the dead, etc. If they possess the power the Apostles had, let us take them to the nearest hospital and let us witness the healing of every person in that hospital. If they fail, you have exposed a false teacher who pretends to be humble, pious, a lover of God and etc. This all seems so convincing until compared with the Word of God.
Again, may I submit, IT IS MUCH EASIER TO SAY TO SOMEONE, "I forgive your sins" than to say "Arise and walk." Put them to the test and you will find their claims and teaching to be fraudulent.
Whether in the secular or ecclesiastical arena, men have always craved to have power over others. Martin Luther, the Master of Deceit, continues to convince men today that they have that power. Christ indicted the religious leaders for their pride.
Here are Christ's Words in Matthew 23:5-6; Matthew 23:28,
"But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders their garments," (V.5).
"And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues." (V.6).
"Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity." (V.8).
Conclusion: There is only one Person who can forgive your sin. There is only one Person who paid for your sin. There is only one Person who is your Mediator, and there is only one Person who can give you eternal life. That Person is the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Whether you go to Heaven or Hell depends on who you want to believe, Martin Luther, his puppet preachers, the Catholic priest, or THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!
"Jesus saith unto him (or you), I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6).
Personally, if I were visiting a church where the preacher got up and stated he would forgive my sins, I would get up and walk out immediately. I would not subject myself or my family to that type of brainwashing; but would find myself a good, Bible-teaching church where Jesus Christ is exalted, not the preacher!
The Lord Jesus Christ died on a cruel, Roman cross to pay the sin debt of mankind. Three days and nights later, He was resurrected showing God had accepted His payment for sin. If you will believe that Jesus Christ died for you, personally, He will give you the righteousness you need to go to Heaven. The price is paid. Will you reach out and accept it by faith?
"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5:21). Our prayer is that you will accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, and have the peace and assurance of eternal life in Heaven when this life is through. Jesus Christ, only, can forgive sin!
"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." (1 John 5:13 ).