John 20:23

Who Can Forgive Sin?


Introduction:

The Creeds and Confessions of the Christian Faith have been helpful in understanding Christian doctrine. The Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed written very early on in the fourth century was accepted by both Roman Catholics and Protestants. Such doctrines as the Trinity, the Deity of Christ, the Virgin Birth, the miracles of Christ, the Holy Spirit, Resurrection, and the Second Coming of Christ.

Nevertheless there are many differences between Roman Catholics and Protestant beliefs such as:

  1. The way we view Church tradition

  2. Justification

  3. Sacraments

  4. The role of the clergy, especially in the matter of Rome’s priesthood and the power to forgive or retain sin. The priests absolve and then God forgives and when the priest does not absolve God does not forgive. Protestants maintain that this is all backwards. God forgives and clergy or laymen proclaim that this is so.


  1. Forgiving and Retaining Sin

    1. Roman Catholic View of John 20:23

      1. Apostolic succession

      2. Auricular confession – 1215 AD


    1. Is the Doctrine of Confession (Penance) taught in the Word of God?

      1. The Scripture plainly teaches that there is none who can forgive sins but God only. Mark 2:5-7

      2. There is no occasion whatsoever where the Apostles took for themselves the authority to absolve or pardon sin of anyone.

  1. Peter confronts Cornelius – Acts 10:43

  2. Paul’s teaching in a synagogue at Antioch – Acts 13:48

      1. Besides the Apostles in the upper room there were other

disciples – Luke 24:33

      1. The authority to forgive or retain is preceded by:

  1. The gift of peace

  2. The great commission

  3. The impartation of the Holy Spirit


      1. The Greek text gives us great support here with the use of “forgive” and “retain” written in the perfect tense ( cf. NASV Matt.16:19; 18:18)

      2. The plural use of “you” indicates that was not conveying this authority to “forgive” or “retain” sins on a special kind of people.

Turn To: Luke 24:44-49



  1. The Priesthood of the Believer

    1. The Reformers view on forgiveness of sin

      1. Book: “Far From Rome Near to God” (testimony of 50 priest converted Catholic priests) complied by Richard Bennett

      2. Book:” The Priest the Woman and the Confessional” Father Chiniquy


    1. Distinctions to be made:

      1. Between our High Priest, Jesus Christ and His followers – Heb.4:14

      2. Jesus intercedes for us – Heb.7:25

      3. Jesus is our eternal High Priest – 7:17

      4. Christians offer up ourselves as living sacrifices – Rom. 12:1-3


    1. Gospel Responsibilities:

      1. Responsible to take the gospel of God’s grace in Christ to the lost.

      2. Those who reject the gospel retain their sin – John 8:24


    1. Present and Future Status:

      1. We are made priest and kings – Rev.1:6; 5:10; 20:6

      2. Turn To:Revelation 20:1-9

  1. We are partakers of the “first resurrection”

  2. Those who reject the gospel take part in the “second death”

  3. The believer in Christ will receive a new resurrected body – Rev.3:21

  4. Satan presently cannot deceive the nations – v.3

  5. At the close of the gospel age Satan will have his last shot at deceiving the nations – v.7

  6. The nations in the four corners of the earth will experience the greatest deception and war. v.8 (cf. Ezekiel 38,39; Rev.16,19)























Pastor Nick Iamaio

Reformed Presbyterian Church

207 South First Street, Fulton, NY 13069

Web Site fultonrpc.org

5/18/2008