Don McClain 65th St church of Christ - 1/30/2005 1

Don McClainDon McClain 65th St church of Christ - 1/30/20065th St church of Christ - 1/30/20055

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Are there two plans of salvation? [“If baptism is Are there two plans of salvation? [“If baptism is necessary in order to receive the forgiveness of necessary in order to receive the forgiveness of sins, why does the Christian who sins not have to be sins, why does the Christian who sins not have to be baptized when he sins?]baptized when he sins?]

Is a Christian “automatically” cleansed by the blood Is a Christian “automatically” cleansed by the blood of Christ when he sins? [An examination of I John of Christ when he sins? [An examination of I John 1:5-2:2].1:5-2:2].

If there are conditions to the Christian receiving If there are conditions to the Christian receiving forgiveness of sins, what are they?forgiveness of sins, what are they?

What does it mean to “confess” our sins?What does it mean to “confess” our sins? What does the term “repentance” really mean?What does the term “repentance” really mean? Can one sin condemn a Christian?Can one sin condemn a Christian? What about sins of ignorance?What about sins of ignorance? Assurance of Salvation: Can We Know If We Are Assurance of Salvation: Can We Know If We Are

Saved?Saved?


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The Question:

“If baptism is necessary in order for the alien sinner to receive the forgiveness of past sins, why does a Christian who sins—not have to be baptized in order to be forgiven?”

The answer:

The alien sinner has never become a child of The alien sinner has never become a child of God, (Gal. 3:26,27)God, (Gal. 3:26,27)

A Christian has enjoyed a covenant relationship A Christian has enjoyed a covenant relationship with God, but has fallen away (Galatians 5:4). with God, but has fallen away (Galatians 5:4).

They are both guilty of sin, but are approaching They are both guilty of sin, but are approaching the Lord from two different perspectives.the Lord from two different perspectives.


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Acts 8:20-24 (NKJV)

But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! [21] You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. [22] Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if

perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. [23] For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity." [24] Then Simon answered and said, "Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken

may come upon me."


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James 5:16 (NKJV)

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails

much.

James 5:19 (NKJV)

Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back,


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1 John 1:9 (NKJV)

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all

unrighteousness.

1 John 2:1 (NKJV)

My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have

an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.


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Key questions to consider in the study Key questions to consider in the study of this text:of this text:

Is a Christian “automatically” cleansed by Is a Christian “automatically” cleansed by the blood of Christ when he sins?the blood of Christ when he sins?

If there are conditions to the Christian If there are conditions to the Christian receiving the cleansing of sins he/she has receiving the cleansing of sins he/she has committed, what are they?committed, what are they?

What does it mean to “walk in the light”?What does it mean to “walk in the light”?

What does it mean to “confess our sins”?What does it mean to “confess our sins”?

What does it mean to “repent”?What does it mean to “repent”?


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Exegesis of the TextExegesis of the Text The series of “if” clauses - (1:6, 7, 8, 9, 10).The series of “if” clauses - (1:6, 7, 8, 9, 10).

Albert Barnes on “walking in the light” - Albert Barnes on “walking in the light” - includes at least the following three things: includes at least the following three things:

Leading a life of holiness and purity (2:15-Leading a life of holiness and purity (2:15-17; 3:3-10);17; 3:3-10);

Walking in truth [i.e. embracing the truth in Walking in truth [i.e. embracing the truth in opposition to all error] (4:1, 6; 2 John 9-11); opposition to all error] (4:1, 6; 2 John 9-11);

Enjoying the promises of God (1:3, 4; 5:10-Enjoying the promises of God (1:3, 4; 5:10-12).12).

““Walking in the light” indicates continuous Walking in the light” indicates continuous action on the part of the believer.action on the part of the believer.


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Exegesis of the TextExegesis of the TextThe blood of Christ “cleanses all sin.” The blood of Christ “cleanses all sin.”

The struggling Christian should be greatly The struggling Christian should be greatly encouraged by the truth that the blood of Christ encouraged by the truth that the blood of Christ is powerful enough to cleanse “all sin.” is powerful enough to cleanse “all sin.”

There is NOTHING in the verb used which There is NOTHING in the verb used which assumes that the sinning Christian is assumes that the sinning Christian is automatically cleansed of his errors.automatically cleansed of his errors.

The cleansing of the Christian’s sins is The cleansing of the Christian’s sins is continuously available, but the context also continuously available, but the context also makes it clear that forgiveness is attained only makes it clear that forgiveness is attained only by meeting the divine condition stated in 1:9, “if by meeting the divine condition stated in 1:9, “if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgives us…”forgives us…”


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Exegesis of the TextExegesis of the TextThe blood of Christ “cleanses all sin.” The blood of Christ “cleanses all sin.”

John does not say that we should merely confess John does not say that we should merely confess that we sin, but he teaches us to confess our that we sin, but he teaches us to confess our “sins.” “sins.”

This demands acknowledgment of such with This demands acknowledgment of such with a desire to turn away from such errors. a desire to turn away from such errors.

This does not demand that one is to recall This does not demand that one is to recall dates, times, places, etc., but it does dates, times, places, etc., but it does demand acknowledgment of a sin if we are demand acknowledgment of a sin if we are to turn away from such. to turn away from such.

Can we “walk in the light” and “walk in Can we “walk in the light” and “walk in darkness” at the same time? - (1:6-7).darkness” at the same time? - (1:6-7).


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Believed Repented Confessed Baptized

Pentecost – Pentecost – Acts 2:14-41Acts 2:14-41 37,3837,38 38,4138,41

Samaria – Samaria – Acts 8:5-13Acts 8:5-13 1212 12,1312,13

Eunuch – Eunuch – Acts 8:35-39Acts 8:35-3936,336,3

773737 3838

Saul – Saul – Acts 9,22,26Acts 9,22,26 22:1622:16

Cornelius Cornelius Acts 10:34-48Acts 10:34-48 4343 4848

Lydia – Lydia – Acts 16:13-15Acts 16:13-15 1414 1515

Jailor – Jailor – Acts 16:30-34Acts 16:30-34 3131 3333

Corinthians Corinthians Acts 18:8Acts 18:8 88 88

Ephesians - Ephesians - Acts 19:3-5 Acts 19:3-5 55


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RepentanceRepentance ConfessionConfession PrayerPrayer

Simon - Acts Simon - Acts 8:14-248:14-24

2222 2222

James 5:16James 5:16 1616 1616

James 5:19James 5:19 1919

1 John 1:9-1 John 1:9-2:22:2

1:91:9 2:12:1


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The problem of a false The problem of a false conceptualization of sin.conceptualization of sin.

““What about sins of What about sins of ignorance?”ignorance?”

““We cannot understand the We cannot understand the Bible?”Bible?”

““Will one sin condemn a Will one sin condemn a person?”person?”

““You are teaching sinless You are teaching sinless perfection”perfection”


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In order for Noah’s family to be In order for Noah’s family to be saved? – Gen 6:8, 22; 7:5; Heb saved? – Gen 6:8, 22; 7:5; Heb 11:7; 1 Peter 3:2111:7; 1 Peter 3:21

In order for the walls of Jericho to In order for the walls of Jericho to fall? – Josh. 6:2, 20; Heb. 11:30fall? – Josh. 6:2, 20; Heb. 11:30

In order for Naaman to be cleansed In order for Naaman to be cleansed of his leprosy? – 2 Kings 5:10-14of his leprosy? – 2 Kings 5:10-14

In order for the 3,000 on the day of In order for the 3,000 on the day of Pentecost to receive the remission Pentecost to receive the remission of their sins? – Acts 2:38of their sins? – Acts 2:38

In order for the erring child of God In order for the erring child of God to be forgiven of sin? – Acts 8:19-to be forgiven of sin? – Acts 8:19-24; 1 John 1:7-924; 1 John 1:7-9


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The Biblical Answer: YES!The Biblical Answer: YES! We can know we are saved by We can know we are saved by

God’s grace through an obedient God’s grace through an obedient faith (Rom 8:16; Acts 8:35-39; faith (Rom 8:16; Acts 8:35-39; 2:36-41).2:36-41).

We can trust God’s promises (I Jn We can trust God’s promises (I Jn 5:11-13).5:11-13).

We can know that God would not We can know that God would not ask us to do something we are not ask us to do something we are not capable of doing.capable of doing.

We all make mistakes, but the We all make mistakes, but the cleansing blood of Christ is cleansing blood of Christ is available to us when we repent, available to us when we repent, pray and confess.pray and confess.


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Don McClain 65th St church of Christ - 1/30/2005 1