WHO ARE THE MANY THAT ARE FORGIVEN?

[quietthinker]

Scripture never says that forgiveness is to be applied to all people, simply because they are human. Forgiveness is applied to those who are born again in faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Forgiveness is linked to repentance and faith, not just being human. Acts 10: 43 says, “To Him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”

Paul wrote, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace” (Eph. 1:7). That “we” is “believe[r]s who are in Him,” not the entire world without exception. John also wrote, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

God’s love is extended to all (John 3: 16), but only to the repentant who believe are actually forgiven and cleansed. Without the new birth the person is left in their sins (John 8:24).

Then I guess you don't have Good News for ALL people .....as the angels proclaimed on Bethlehem's hills?

 

[bdavidc]

Then I guess you don't have Good News for ALL people .....as the angels proclaimed on Bethlehem's hills?

The angels said, “We proclaim good news of great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10). But read it carefully, they did not say “forgiveness is applied to all.” The “good news” is that salvation has come into the world through Christ. It is made available freely to all, but it is only received by those who believe.

Jesus said, “Unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins” (John 8:24). That means that unbelief leaves a person unforgiven, even if the gospel is preached to all under heaven. John 3: 16 is universal in offer (“whoever believes in him should not perish”), but conditional in application (only those who believe get eternal life).

So yes, the news is for all, but the benefit is only for the repentant and believing. Otherwise, the rest of Scripture would contradict itself. That is why Acts 10: 43 is so clear: “everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

The good news is universal in scope but personal in effect. Christ is the Savior of the world, but only those who are born again actually experience His forgiveness (John 3:3).

 

[quietthinker]

The angels said, “We proclaim good news of great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10). But read it carefully, they did not say “forgiveness is applied to all.” The “good news” is that salvation has come into the world through Christ. It is made available freely to all, but it is only received by those who believe.

Jesus said, “Unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins” (John 8:24). That means that unbelief leaves a person unforgiven, even if the gospel is preached to all under heaven. John 3: 16 is universal in offer (“whoever believes in him should not perish”), but conditional in application (only those who believe get eternal life).

So yes, the news is for all, but the benefit is only for the repentant and believing. Otherwise, the rest of Scripture would contradict itself. That is why Acts 10: 43 is so clear: “everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

The good news is universal in scope but personal in effect. Christ is the Savior of the world, but only those who are born again actually experience His forgiveness (John 3:3).

I think you are confusing God's generosity (forgiveness) and man's willingness (faith) to trust it.
Do God's promises fail because some men don't believe/ trust them?

 

[soberxp]

Where are you getting this?

The Bible says all have sinned......................[Rom 3:23 KJV] 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

I am aware of this scripture in the Bible,
but through studying the Bible, I have come across a question:
Newborn children are without sin,
and Jesus said that welcoming a little child is like welcoming Him.
Don’t you think the meaning behind Jesus' words is profound?

 

[quietthinker]

I am aware of this scripture in the Bible,
but through studying the Bible, I have come across a question:
Newborn children are without sin,
and Jesus said that welcoming a little child is like welcoming Him.
Don’t you think the meaning behind Jesus' words is profound?

If you've never heard it explained, 'many' is more accurately and validly translated 'the many' .....meaning ALL

 

[soberxp]

If you've never heard it explained, 'many' is more accurately and validly translated 'the many' .....meaning ALL

Sorry, English is not my native language. I can't see "The many" is "all".

You can consider my understanding for a while.

Through studying the Bible, I have come across a question:
Newborn children are without sin,
and Jesus said that welcoming a little child is like welcoming Him.
Don’t you think the meaning behind Jesus' words is profound?

 

[quietthinker]

Sorry, English is not my native language. I can't see "The many" is "all".

You can consider my understanding for a while.

Through studying the Bible, I have come across a question:
Newborn children are without sin,
and Jesus said that welcoming a little child is like welcoming Him.
Don’t you think the meaning behind Jesus' words is profound?

Yes, I do.
On the note of 'many', make enquiries for yourself. You will find as I stated earlier.
To back this up, see Romans 5:15-19. In these 5 verses comparisons between Adam and Jesus are stated 5 times.....just so we don't miss it.

 

[Doug]

I am aware of this scripture in the Bible,
but through studying the Bible, I have come across a question:
Newborn children are without sin,
and Jesus said that welcoming a little child is like welcoming Him.
Don’t you think the meaning behind Jesus' words is profound?

Children are born into sin because they are in Adam......................[Psa 58:3 KJV] 3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.

God is gracious and declares them innocent until they know good and evil............................[Deu 1:39 KJV] 39 Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.

David knew his dead child was in paradise..............................[2Sa 12:23 KJV] 23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

 

[soberxp]

Children are born into sin because they are in Adam......................[Psa 58:3 KJV] 3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.

God is gracious and declares them innocent until they know good and evil............................[Deu 1:39 KJV] 39 Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.

David knew his dead child was in paradise..............................[2Sa 12:23 KJV] 23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

Actually, I don't completely agree with the words of those prophets. I find some of their views somewhat narrow, and not as profound as the teachings of others, like Confucius


Confucius said it Thousands of years ago, it was almost the same age as the prophets.

People at birth, are naturally good.
Their natures are similar; their habits become different.(their learning things made them far away from each other)
Without learning, one cannot know righteousness.
The Master never talk about Baalim to mess God.