Matthew 9:1-8 “Getting into a boat, Jesus crossed over and came to His own town. Some men brought to Him a paralytic lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith He said to the paralytic ‘Take heart, son, your sins are forgiven.’
At this some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, ‘This fellow is blaspheming.’
Knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, ‘Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your heart? Which is easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or to say ‘Get up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins….’
Then He said to the paralytic, ‘Get up, take your mat and go home.’ And the man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this they were filled with awe and they praised God who had given such authority to men.”
Two quick thoughts about this passage. It is common for believers today while reading the Scripture to get arrogant about passages like this. “Those foolish scribes, how pathetic to even question Jesus about forgiving someone’s sins. Don’t they know He’s God!”… No, they didn’t actually. And honestly, if Anyone other than Jesus had been the one to pardon this man’s sins, their shock and idea of blasphemy would have been right! Bc only God can forgive sins! Even the High Priest did not forgive sins. In fact, the wording the Priests used when it came to sacrifices and the forgiveness of sins was simply that a person’s sins had been forgiven (i.e by God) not that the Priest himself was forgiving the sin.
So, honestly these guys were understandably shocked and upset. And again, they would have been right to be upset had it been anyone other than Jesus who forgave this man’s sins.
Hmmmmm, do you think Jesus was aware and claiming to be God at this moment????
Second, did you notice the people’s response to Jesus’ miracle? Did you catch what Matthew wrote “when the crowd saw this they were filled with awe and they praised God…” So perfectly did Jesus live, so in tune was He with His Father that even the doing of a miracle by Jesus didn’t bring praise simply to Jesus but caused the people around Him to glorify God!
Even for Jesus the Son, life was all about His Father. May we grasp this in small ways like He did.
ONLY GOD FORGIVES SINS
Contrary to what men believe, only God can forgive the sins that have been committed against Him. Joseph Smith nor Brigham Young can forgive sins. Catholic priests cannot forgive sins. Lutheran ministers cannot forgive sins. There are no men dead or alive who can forgive the sins that men commit against God.
ONLY GOD FORGIVES SINS!
Isaiah 43:25 "I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins.
ONLY GOD FORGIVES SINS!
Micah 7:18 Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity…
Only God pardons iniquity. Joesph Smith, Brigham Young, Catholic priests, nor Lutheran ministers have the authority to pardon iniquity.
Daniel 9:98 To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against Him;
Mankind has rebelled against God and He alone can grant forgiveness.
THE SCRIBES UNDERSTOOD ONLY GOD COULD FORGIVE SINS!
Mark 2:6-11..the scribes…7…He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone? ….10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins"—He said to the paralytic, 11 "I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet and go home."
The problem with scribes was they did not realize that Jesus was God in the flesh. Joesph Smith, Brigham Young, Catholic priests, Lutheran ministers, nor any other men, are or were, God in the flesh.
DID JESUS GRANT THE APOSTLES THE AUTHORITY TO FORGIVE SINS? NO HE DID NOT.
Acts 8:18-22 ….20 But Peter said to him….22 Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.
The apostle Peter did not grant forgiveness to Simon, he told Simon to pray to God for forgiveness. Note, Simon was already a Christian.
THE PROOF TEXT.
John 20:19-23 ….23 If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained."
Jesus was not giving Peter and the rest of the apostles the power to grant forgiveness of sins to men on an individual bases, Jesus was not ordaining them as priests with that power. Jesus was giving Peter and the apostles the authority to proclaim the terms for forgiveness of sins. Peter and the apostles did just that on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:22-41…36 Therefore let the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified. 37…Peter and the rest of the apostles….38 Peter said to them , "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.)
Peter and the apostles did not forgive sins on the Day of Pentecost nor on any subsequent day. They declare God's terms for pardon.
FAITH: John 3:16
REPENTANCE: Acts 2:38
CONFESSION: Romans 10:9-10
WATER BAPTISM: Acts 2:38
Christians are not asked to confess to Joesph Smith, Brigham Young, Catholic priests, Lutheran ministers, nor any other men, in order to have their sins against God forgiven!
Christians are to confess their sins to God in order to receive forgiveness. (1 John1:5-9 ….God is light… 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from unrighteousness.)
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between men, the man Christ Jesus,
The only priest standing between men and God is the high priest, Jesus Christ.
NOTE: Confessing sins and asking God for forgiveness is only available to Christians. Non-Christians must have FAITH, REPENT, CONFESS JESUS AS LORD, BELIEVE IN HIS RESURRECTION AND BE BAPTIZED IN WATER IN ORDER TO THEIR SINS FORGIVEN.
ONLY GOD FORGIVES SINS!