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Forgive Us Our Sins for Christ’s SakeBy: Joseph H. MurrayPeople who pray this prayer from day to day are not asking for deliverance from committing sins but are asking permission to continue in their sinful way of life, and God answers accordingly. The only way prescribed for deliverance from committing sin is by repentance and faith toward God. To the Jews who asked, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Peter gave this answer, “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. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:38–39). Jesus said to His disciples, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). This power is given to us to enable us to live without continuing in sin: or committing sin any longer. When one continues to commit sin on a daily basis, he is not a witness for Christ, but rather a witness that he is not a believer, for in Christ is no sin. True repentance will bring to us the repelling power to keep us out of the sinning business, if we walk in obedience to it, or be led by it. The prescription to the Gentiles who first received the Holy Ghost is given by Peter in the 10th chapter of Acts. “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him. And He commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is He (Jesus) which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To Him gave all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision (Jews) which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we (Jews)?” (Acts 10:1–2, 34–35, 42–47). The Holy Ghost had fallen upon these Gentiles without having been baptized in water because it was not required of them to do so, for the carnal ceremonies imposed on the Jews were not given to the Gentiles. This was proven true by them receiving the Holy Ghost without having been baptized in water. Jer. 20:9 1Cor. 9:16 Rom. 1:14 Necessity is laid on me |
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