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Aphesis ~ Forgiveness ~ Remission

-by: Elder Bert V.

Matt 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed
for many for the REMISSION (aphesis)*of sins.

Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism
of repentance for the REMISSION (aphesis)*of sins.

Luke 1:77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the
REMISSION (aphesis)*of their sins,

Luke 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching
the baptism of repentance for the REMISSION (aphesis)* of sins;

Luke 24:47 And that repentance and REMISSION (aphesis)* of sins
should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at
Jerusalem.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every
one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the REMISSION (aphesis)*
of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with
blood; and without shedding of blood is no REMISSION. (aphesis)*

Hebrews 10:18 Now where REMISSION (aphesis)* of these is, there
is no more offering for sin.

Mark 3:29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath
never forgiveness (aphesis)*, but is in danger of eternal damnation:

Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince
and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and
FORGIVENESS(aphesis)* of sins.

Acts 13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that
through this man is preached unto you the FORGIVENESS(aphesis)*
of sins:

Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to
light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive
FORGIVENESS(aphesis)* of sins, and inheritance among them
which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the
FORGIVENESS(aphesis)* of sins, according to the riches of his
grace;

Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood,
even the FORGIVNESS(aphesis)* of sins:

(aphesis)

* 859 - Strongs Exhaustive Concordance Number
AV - remission (9)
- forgiveness (6)
- deliverance (1)
- liberty (1) [17]
1) release from bondage or imprisonment
2) forgiveness or pardon, of sins (letting them go as if they
had never been committed), remission of the penalty

All of the above instances where the words FORGIVENESS or REMISSION are used, are translated from the same Greek word "aphesis", which means that which ever word is used, it means the same thing. Remission then, is not something that happens after you have "Forgiveness", but rather it is the same thing as FORGIVENESS.

What then is the difference, if both words mean the same
thing?

The difference does not lie in the meaning of the words, but in who is
involved in the APPLICATION of the word.

In the Gospel of John Chapter 20, Verse 23 we read, " Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained."

Now then does the question arise, "Can a man Forgive or Remit another mans sins?

And how can a man RETAIN, another man's sins?

Looking to the Scriptures as we are admonished to do,(1Tim.
3:15-16,Matt.22:29, Lk.24:25, John 5:39, Acts 17:2, Acts 17:11, Acts
18:28, Rom.15:4, 1 Cor.15:3-4) rather than the practices and traditions that have taken the power to forgive sins out of the hands of God who is righteous and just, and placed it in the hands of men, whose heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: (Jer. 17:9)

John the Baptist, at the Jordan River, Peter, at the house of Cornilius,
Paul at Thy-a-ti-ra, Phillip at Samaria, and on the road with the Ethiopian eunuch, Ananias, at Damascus, Paul again, with the Macedonian jailor, all these and more examples are given in the Scriptures of men when they through the knowledge that God gave them, either baptized or refused baptism, to those who came to them. It is my contention that, the only place that man becomes involved with the (forgiveness or remission) of sins is when administering water baptism. John the Baptist, baptized (remitted) hundreds who came to the Jordan with repentant hearts, but turned away(retained) all the self-righteous religious people who thought they had no need of repentance. He called them a "generation of vipers", who would need more than a genealogy that went back to Abraham. Peter also declared the same requirements for baptism, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the REMISSION of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

When Paul baptized Lydia and her household, she said " if ye have judged me to be faithful, to the Lord, come into my house and abide there". This was not a question, she knew Paul judged her faithful, or he wouldn't have baptized her. I want to say this as strongly as I can,

IF YOU DIDN'T REPENT, YOU DIDN'T GET BAPTIZED!!! BY JOHN, BY THE APOSTLES, BY THE ELDERS, BY THE DEACONS, IT JUST DIDN'T HAPPEN THEN, AND IT SURE SHOULDN'T HAPPEN NOW. IF YOU REPENT, AND ONLY IF YOU REPENT, ARE YOUR SINS FORGIVEN OR REMITTED, AND ONLY THEN ARE YOU READY TO BE BAPTIZED (Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death:Rom.6:4) WE DON'T HAVE TO BE CRUCIFIED ON A ROMAN CROSS, WE DON'T HAVE TO BE BURIED IN A BORROWED TOMB, JESUS DID IT FOR US. NOW WE CAN REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED IN HIS NAME AND IDENTIFY WITH HIS DEATH AND BURIAL. BUT GLORY TO GOD THAT'S NOT THE END OF THE MATTER, (that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.) ROM.6: 4, and there is more,
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection… Rom. 6:5 Glory to God!!! Read the Scriptures below and see the importance of repentance then and now!

And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matt.3: 2

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, repent: for the
kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matt. 4:17

And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand:
repent ye, and believe the gospel. Mark 1:15

And they went out, and preached that men should repent. Mark 6:12
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke
13:3&5

Then Peter said unto them, repent, and be baptized every one of you
in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted
out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the
Lord; Acts 3:19

Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the
thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. Acts 8:22

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth
all men every where to repent: Acts 17:30

But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that
they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for
repentance. Acts 26:20

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do
the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove
thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Rev. 2:5 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Rev 2:21

Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with
her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. Rev 2:22
Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. Rev 3:3

It takes more than a "bless me father" to make repentance real. "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." 11Cor.7:10

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached
unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" 1 Cor. 15:1-4

The Gospel;
Death--------------Repentance
Burial--------------Baptism
Resurrection---- Holy Ghost

Are you willing to die out to your sinful nature, and repent, and be
buried with Him in Baptism, and be filled with resurrection power by
the infilling of the Holy Ghost?

Remember the words of Jesus " And when he had called the people
unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will
come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow
me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall
lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it."

Mark 8:34-35