Who Can Forgive Sins, But God Only. Part [7] 09/05/2025 (Morning thought)

Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Again, some persons erroneously believe that Peter was granted power to forgive sins, but in the first example given, we see Christ addressing all of the disciples, not only Peter. In fact, the next example speaks about Peter being given the keys of heaven, and authority to bind and loose things in heaven and earth as the case might be. Peter, as well as all of the other disciples were never to do any of these things on, or of their own.

They were commissioned to declare to the people the written word of God, which contains the terms and conditions upon which pardon may be granted, but they were not to take it upon themselves to try to pardon anyone. In fact, later on in the next verses we see where even Peter was in need of pardon.

Matthew 16:20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. 21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

Matthew 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!

Who Can Forgive Sins, But God Only. Part [6] 09/05/2025 (Evening thought)

Exodus 32:31 And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. 32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

The removal, and retention of sins rested solely with God alone. This has always been the case, and it will remain the case until the last sin on the planet is either retained or remitted for eternity. Therefore, the servant of The Lord lays out the only correct interpretation to the above passage, so that any and everyone may know the truth in the matter. To put it plainly God, and God alone could pardon or forgive sin.

And wherever this authority is usurped by any mortal the person who seeks pardon through human agencies, outside of Christ, will have all their sins retained and unforgiven in the books of heaven. And if this knowledge never dawns upon the mind, or is rejected in favor of human pardons, those sins will usher the person in question into never land…. [The Desire of Ages pp 806] Remission of sins can be obtained only through the merits of Christ.

[The Desire of Ages pp 806] To no man, to no body of men, is given power to free the soul from guilt. Christ charged His disciples to preach the remission of sins in His name among all nations; but they themselves were not empowered to remove one stain of sin. The name of Jesus is the only “name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.

Exodus 32:33 And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!