Part 6 of 16 -
Is Confession of Sin Required for the Christian to Gain Forgiveness of Sins?
John
writes to the Diaspora, the scattered of
The
Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul, never suggests to “the body of Christ”
what John writes of when John addresses the Jews. Paul received a deeper truth
from the ascended Christ for “the body of Christ.” Paul never once
writes of confessing our sins. Paul only mentions the word “confessing”
(Greek, homologeo, acknowledge) in the context of “acknowledging
Jesus Christ is Lord.”
Paul
says the one requirement for “remission of sins” is
“through faith in his blood.”
Romans
3:25 (KJV) Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through
faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission
of sins …
The one requirement for receiving anything of the Lord is “faith” in God’s word and faith in His work on our behalf through the cross of Christ. Paul says simply – “believe on (pisteuo, trust in, cling to and rely upon) the Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 16:31 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…
Paul writes to “the body of Christ,” concerning “faith” as the only means of gaining what may be gained from God, in Christ, under "the dispensation of the grace of God." Note the words "by faith" as you enjoy reading these Pauline verses.
Romans
1:17 (KJV) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed
from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live (zao,
have spirit life to enjoy) by faith.
Romans
3:22 (KJV) Even the righteousness of God which is by
faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for
there is no difference:
Romans
3:28 (KJV) Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by
faith without the deeds of the law.
Romans
3:30 (KJV) Seeing it
is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith,
and uncircumcision through faith.
Romans
5:1 (KJV)
1 Therefore being
justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord
Jesus Christ:
Romans
5:2 (KJV) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein
we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans
9:32 (KJV) Wherefore? Because they sought it not by
faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at
that stumblingstone;
Romans
11:20 (KJV) Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou
standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
2
Corinthians 1:24 (KJV) Not for that we have dominion over your faith,
but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
2
Corinthians 5:7 (KJV) (For we walk by faith, not by
sight:)
Galatians
3:11 (KJV) But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God,
it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Galatians
3:22 (KJV) But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the
promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that
believe.
Galatians
3:24 (KJV) Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us
unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Galatians
3:26 (KJV) For ye are all the children of God by faith
in Christ Jesus.
Galatians
5:5 (KJV) For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by
faith.
Ephesians
3:17 (KJV) That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith;
that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Philippians
3:9 (KJV) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which
is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness
which is of God by faith:
Paul also writes to the Hebrews, concerning “by faith” as the only means of gaining what may be gained from God.
Hebrews
10:38 (KJV) Now the just shall live by faith: but if any
man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Hebrews
11:4 (KJV) By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice
than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of
his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Hebrews
11:5 (KJV) By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death;
and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he
had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Hebrews
11:7 (KJV) By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as
yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which
he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by
faith.
Hebrews
11:8 (KJV) By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place
which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not
knowing whither he went.
Hebrews
11:9 (KJV) By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in
a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with
him of the same promise:
Hebrews
11:17 (KJV) By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and
he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
Hebrews
11:20 (KJV) By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to
come.
Hebrews
11:21 (KJV) By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons
of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
Hebrews
11:22 (KJV) By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the
departing of the children of
Hebrews
11:23 (KJV) By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of
his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were
not afraid of the king's commandment.
Hebrews
11:24 (KJV) By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be
called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
Hebrews
11:27 (KJV) By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the
king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Hebrews
11:29 (KJV) By faith they passed through the
Hebrews
11:30 (KJV) By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were
compassed about seven days.
Hebrews
11:31 (KJV) By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that
believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
Thus,
with such a heavy weight of Scriptural evidence concerning the supremacy of
faith, is it any wonder that Paul saw also that forgiveness of sins
was by faith in Christ’s shed blood,
plus nothing - that’s the pure grace of “the
dispensation of the grace of God.”
And we should ask, “Where did this message of pure grace of God, received by faith, come from?”
It
came, via the Ascended Jesus Christ, to Paul, for us.
Ephesians 3:1-2 (KJV) For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
