Topic(s):  Forgiveness

Todd Clippard

I believe the verse to which you refer is John 20:23, which reads, "Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained." KJV

Only God has the power to forgive sins (Matthew 9:1-7). This statement was given to the apostles just after Jesus' resurrection. The statement has reference to the conditions attached to obtaining remission of sins when the gospel would be preached for the first time. In Acts 2, Peter preached the first gospel sermon, and in Acts 2:38, he gave the conditions of repentance and baptism in order to receive remission of sins. This is in accordance with what Jesus said in Luke 24:46-47.

The only control we have over forgiveness of sins is in regard to our own sins! Matthew 6:14-15 says, "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." KJV