Some Closing Thoughts For Consideration
VI. SOME CLOSING THOUGHTS FOR CONSIDERATION.
A. 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.
B. 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, in no uncertain Words, "For there is one God, and ONE MEDIATOR between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;"
If you are one who is trusting the Lutheran preacher or 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:
1. 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. (Mark 7:7-9)
2. 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!
3. Christ called the Scribes and Pharisees "Hypocrites..."
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!..." (Matthew 23:27 a).
...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 b,
"...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."
4. Modern Scribes and Pharisees.
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:..." (Matthew 23:13 b).
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,..." (Matthew 23:13 c).
C. 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?
D. 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."
E. 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 priest, did He? Only Christ could assure this thief that his sins were forgiven and give Him the absolute assurance that...
“...TO DAY SHALT THOU BE WITH ME IN PARADISE."
Who are you going to trust for your salvation, the Lutheran minister, the Catholic priest, or JESUS CHRIST?
F. For 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 lepers, 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:
a. healing the sick,
b. cleansing the lepers, c. 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!
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 and pious, a lover of God, with an outward appearance of righteousness. This would all be so convincing unless we compare their claims 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. 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 of their garments, (v.5). And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues" (vs. 6).
"Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity." (v.28).