By Steve A. Hamilton 

Introduction:  Generally, the world doesn’t pay attention to instructions.  When I was in school, the teacher passed out a test which told the students in the instructions that filling in your name would complete the test.  The few who read the test instructions got to watch in amusement while the other students (who obviously did not read the instructions) needlessly worked through the questions.

          Unfortunately, that happens in religion.  Most people don’t read the religious instructions (the Bible) for themselves.  As a result, they lead a life which they think is right but is full of error. 

          One such subject in religion that the world pays little attention to in God’s instruction manual (the Bible) is forgiveness.  We’ll address how to obtain forgiveness and discuss a number of misconceptions that have been promoted because people don’t pay attention to God’s instructions.

I.  Two ways to obtain forgiveness.

          A.  Initially through baptism:

                   1.  Hear (Rom. 10:17; Matt. 7:24-27).

                   2.  Believe (Heb. 11:6; Mark 16:15-16).

                   3.  Repent (Acts 2:38; 17:30).

                   4.  Confess (Matt. 10:32-33; Acts 8:36-37).

                   5.  Baptism (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:20-21).  At this point, a person has obtained forgiveness of all past sins.  However, if sin is committed subsequent to baptism, forgiveness is obtained …

          B.  Through prayer (James 5:14-16).

                   1. Confessing our sins is required (1 John 1:9; Prov. 28:13).

                   2.  Repentance is also required (Acts 8:18-24). 

II. Misconceptions about forgiveness.

          A. “Once saved always saved” (James 5:19-20; 2 Thess. 1:8-9).  

          B.  People can obtain forgiveness through prayer without baptism.

                   1.  God only hears the prayers of Christians (John 9:31).

                   2.   If you won’t do God’s will, your prayers are an abomination (Prov.28:9).

C.  We can sin willfully because we can always pray for forgiveness    (Rom. 6:1-2, 15; Heb. 10:26-27).

          D.  We can be re-baptized according to Acts 19:1-7.

                   1.  These men where not baptized into Christ.  There is only one baptism (Eph. 4:5).  Therefore, they needed to be baptized.

                   2.  I knew a man who wanted to be re-baptized after his unscriptural divorce so he could remarry.  Baptism does not dissolve the bond of marriage before God.  Baptism dissolves past sins.

                   3.  Simon the sorcerer illustrated for us the proper response to sin after baptism (Acts 8:13, 18-24).

Conclusion:  Do you have a need to be forgiven of sin?  We are willing to forgive as often as needed (Matt. 18:21-22).  Or if you wish to be baptized for the remission of sins…

Last modified: 05/02/08