Abstract
I Believe in the Forgiveness of Sins
The Apostles creed affirms: “I believe in the forgiveness of sins.” What is it we believe? The paper asserts the heart of the doctrine of forgiveness of sins is the sacrificial, atoning death of Christ. Sin is the context of forgiveness and is preceeded by repentence. Paper’s vital contribution is answering the question ‘what is forgiveness’ by elucidating 24 terms used is Scripture as discriptors of its meaning and results. Based on insights from Scripture and scientific evidence the pathway from victim to forgiver is explored.
The paper contends the heart of the Christian doctrine of forgiveness of sins is found in the sacrificial atoning death of Christ [Calian 1980]. Forgiveness of sins centers on the blood Christ, (Matt 26:27-28; Heb 10:10-22; Stibbs, 1947). We believe Jesus sheds his blood to procure forgiveness (Eph 1:7; 1Pet 1:18-19). It is the Cross that provides the righteous basis for divine forgiveness. Jesus claims the prerogative to forgive sins (Mark 2:1-12); serves as the paradigm of forgiveness; commands repentance for the forgivness of sins be preached in his name (Luke 24:47).
Humans are described as ‘dead-in-sins’ [Eph 2:1, 5]. The frightful consequense of sin, transgression, iniquity [Isa 53:5-12], the reality of God’s wrath, necessitate sacrificial forgivness. The paper insists that unless there is a basic understanding the universal sinfuless of man, [Mark 7:20-23; 1Cor 6:9-11; Rev 21:8], it is almost impossible to comprehend what it means to be forgiven [Porúbčan, 1963]. Sin is the context of forgiveness. Forgiveness is the antidote to sin.
Is repentance a necessary precursor to forgiveness and ultimate reconciliation? The paper explores the link between repentance and forgiveness [cf Matt 4:17 Ezk18:30; Blum, 1980; McNulty, 2020]. Kern [2025], notes that “If we say, ‘father forgive them, for they do not know what they do’ [Luke 23:34], should we assume the impossibility of forgiveness because it, in this case and in this moment, clearly is not accompanied by repentance?” Is Jesus granting forgiveness to unrepentant persons? [cf Acts 2:28; 3:13-19].
Paper makes a vital contribution answering the question ‘what is forgiveness’, elucidating 24 terms used is Scripture as discriptors of its meaning and results [Busenitz, 1980; Davis et al., 2015; Graham, 1990; Grider, 1984; McCullough, 2008; Olsen, 1970]. These terms portray forgiveness as a ninefold, multi-dimensional dynamic concept. This gives insight into how forgiveness works and what it means for both victim and transgressor.
Christians wanting to obey the injuction “forgive as God forgives” often feel stuck, unable to move from deep seated unforgiveness to becoming a forgiver. The paper indicates Galatians 4:15; Ephesians 4:17-31, Colossians 3:12-14 offer insight into barriers which block forgiveness. The paper explores possible journeys people may take from being unforgiving to being forgiving as suggested by the Bible and the works of Ausburger, Enright, Smedes, Worthington and others.
It’s my prayer the paper will result in a meaningful understanding of what it means to say: “I believe in the forgiveness of sin,” and practice of forgiveness individually and as a community of forgivers.