No Sins of Ignorance
The sermon explores the concept of sins of ignorance and the biblical basis for their atonement and forgiveness.
Daniel Steele preaches about the concept of unavoidable infirmities and ignorances not needing expiation, citing examples from Hebrews and Leviticus to emphasize the importance of atonement for sins of ignorance. He highlights that sins not committed willfully but through human infirmity or with partial awareness of their moral wrongness can still be atoned for through the blood of sprinkling. Steele points out that even unconscious sins or those committed with passive consciousness are included in sins of ignorance, as seen in the case of Saul of Tarsus finding forgiveness due to his ignorance of Jesus as the true Messiah.
Text
OUR author says, "Unavoidable infirmities and ignorances need no expiation." He could not have read Heb. ix, 7, in his Greek Testament, nor in the Revision, just before writing that sentence: "Not without blood which he offers for the ignorances of the people," or " errors," as in the Authorized Version. Nor could he have read Heb. v, 2, nor Lev. iv, 13: "If the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done somewhat against any of the commandments of Jehovah . . .
When the sin, which they have sinned, is known, . . . then they shall offer a young bullock for the sin." In this chapter there are precepts respecting the sin of ignorance of "a soul " and of the anointed high priest, who must first offer sacrifice for his own ignorances. The great day of atonement assumes that he and "his household" and "all the congregation of Israel" have need of expiation (Lev. xvi, 17), not because they are all conscious of willful sin, but their involuntary "errors " in the presence of the holy God need the screen of the atonement.
All sins not committed "with a high hand," in open defiance of the known law of God, "but through human infirmity, or with a half-consciousness only of their moral turpitude, and such as when recognized as sins, are truly repented of" (Delitzsch), were atoned for by the blood of sprinkling. What CREMER calls "unconscious sin, as well as sin wherein consciousness is passive," is included in "sins of ignorance." Saul of Tarsus found forgiveness because his sins were committed in ignorance, not with a high hand. He did not know that Jesus is the true Messiah.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Definition of sins of ignorance
- Biblical references supporting the concept
- Distinction between willful and unintentional sins
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II
- The role of atonement in addressing ignorance
- Examples from the Old Testament
- The significance of sacrifice for unintentional sins
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III
- The implications for modern believers
- Understanding God's grace in ignorance
- Encouragement to seek forgiveness
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IV
- The example of Saul of Tarsus
- Lessons learned from his experience
- Application of his story to our lives
Key Quotes
“Unavoidable infirmities and ignorances need no expiation.” — Daniel Steele
“Not without blood which he offers for the ignorances of the people.” — Daniel Steele
“Saul of Tarsus found forgiveness because his sins were committed in ignorance.” — Daniel Steele
Application Points
- Recognize the importance of understanding our actions and their moral implications.
- Seek God's grace and forgiveness for unintentional sins in our lives.
- Learn from biblical examples to navigate our own spiritual journeys.