"REMISSION"

DEFINITION # 8: ROMANS 3:25

REMISSION: basically means "Forgiveness" - to send away, to loose or release.

The Greek word "APHESIS" is translated booth "Remission" and "Forgiveness." There are, however, two types of forgiveness taught in the Bible. Before the Cross men were offered a temporary forgiveness, but after the Cross the message of total complete forgiveness was made known.

In the Old Testament (Leviticus 4, & 5) when the Priest, the common people, or the ruler committed certain sins, an animal sacrifice was offered to God for their forgiveness. The "Day of Atonement" (Leviticus 16) was a special day in which--once a year--the High Priest would take two goats. One he would sacrifice upon an altar and take the blood within the veil--into the holy of holies--and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat for the sins of the congregation of Israel. Afterwards the High Priest would lay his hands upon the other goat and confess all of the sins of Israel. Then that goat would be taken into the wilderness and set free. This was a picture of forgiveness, the release from their sins and sending them away.

This whole ceremony is a type of redemption and propitiation by the blood of Jesus Christ and the complete forgiveness of sins through Him.

Under the ministry of John the Baptist and the Twelve Apostles (Matthew-Acts 8) remission (forgiveness) of sins was offered through repentance and water baptism (see Mark 1:4 & Acts 2:38). This message and practice was for the purpose of calling out the believing remnant of Israel and the cleansing of that believing nation. By comparing Acts 2:38 with Acts 3:19, it is clear that this offer of remission was only a pardon for their sins until the second coming of Jesus Christ when Israel's sins (Nationally) will finally be blotted out.

It is upon the conversion of the Apostle Paul in Acts 9--along with the message of Grace revealed to him, and his unique ministry to the Gentiles--that God has set Israel's promise of national forgiveness aside (and along with it, forgiveness through water baptism) during this present age of grace. Jesus Christ's death on the cross is now the basis for all forgiveness. Therefore animal sacrifices have also been done away as well.

Hebrews 9:22 shows clearly that there is no forgiveness apart from the blood:

"...AND WITHOUT SHEDDING OF BLOOD IS NO REMISSION."

Hebrews 10:4 goes on to say that the blood of animals is not sufficient either.

"FOR IT IS NOT POSSIBLE THAT THE BLOOD OF BULLS AND OF GOATS SHOULD TAKE AWAY SIN."

As Romans chapter three teaches, only the blood of Jesus Christ can bring remission of sins. His blood provides total and complete removal of our sins. Sins are taken away once and for all (permanently) by Christ's work on the Cross.

Hebrews 10:10,14,17 reads:

"BY THE WHICH WILL WE ARE SANCTIFIED THROUGH THE OFFERING OF THE BODY OF JESUS CHRIST ONCE FOR ALL."

"FOR BY ONE OFFERING HE HATH PERFECTED FOREVER THEM THAT ARE SANCTIFIED."

"AND THEIR SINS AND INIQUITIES WILL I REMEMBER NO MORE."

This is why Paul speaks about our forgiveness in this age of grace as unconditional and in the past tense. We as believers do not need to pray for forgiveness since we have already received full forgiveness in Christ! (See Ephesians 1:7; 4:32; Colossians 1:14; 2:13; 3:13)

Everything we have said so far pertains to the Greek word "APHESIS." However, the word "Remission" in Romans 3:25 is "PARESIS" a different Greek word.

PARESIS": is the passing over of debt.

Romans 3:25 is saying: God set Christ forth to be the satisfying sacrifice for sins, which declares the truth that God was righteous in passing over those sins in past ages. This refers to the sins of the Old Testament saints! More will be said about this under the meaning of the word "Forbearance."

PRACTICAL POINT:

Wouldn't it be annoying to you if you told someone "I forgive you," and everyday afterwards for the rest of their life they came to you and asked, "Please forgive me"?

Not only would it be annoying, it would hinder the growth of your relationship. Instead of leaving the sin behind and growing closer, it is brought up again and again, day after day, hindering both the growth and enjoyment of the relationship. So many people, who say they believe their sins are forgiven, spend most of their prayer time begging God to forgive them. Growth and joy are hindered all because a person refuses to believe that they have been offered complete forgiveness for all their sins. Besides, a person would practically be calling you a liar if you said, "I forgive you", but they kept asking you for forgiveness.

My sins (past - present - and future) have been put away by God forever since I believed. Now, rather than asking for forgiveness every day, I thank Him for it and move on to grow in my relationship with my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you know that you have received the salvation which is through Christ by faith alone, and you know that your sins are paid for, but yet you walk around carrying the guilt of your sins, you have not yet come to enjoy and rejoice in your salvation. Do what Paul says in Philippians 3:13

"...FORGETTING THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE BEHIND, AND REACHING FORTH UNTO THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE BEFORE..."

What about the sins of the people who lived before Christ died? How can God save them?