There is much confusion over the remission of sins. Some of the concerns I will address in this Bible study include: What is it and is it equivalent to forgiveness of sins? Why is remission of sins necessary?
Hopefully, by the end of this Bible study you, the reader, will have the biblical truths and all your questions answered.
First, what is the nature of the remission of sins?
“Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.”
John 20:23
So, from the Scripture above to remit means to remove. Not to forgive but to take away!
What Is The Meaning of Remission?
At no place in the Bible, does the remission of sins means the forgiveness of sins. The word remission occurs ten times in the KJV Bible and not once does it denotes forgiveness.
The prefix “re” and “mission” constitute remission. This prefix means back, again, or away.
Mission derives from the Latin word missio which means “to send.” Thus, when the Bible speaks of the remission of sins it means the sending away of them.
The removal of it! Forgiveness is not removal.
Biblical Examples of the Meaning of Remission of Sins
This word is a New Testament (NT) phenomenon. It only appears in the NT. Thus you will not find it in the Old Testament (OT).
Here is a list of all its occurrences in the NT.
- “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” Matthew 26:28
- John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” Mark 1:4
- “To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,” (Luke 1:77).
- And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;” (Luke 3:3).
- And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem,” (Luke 24:47).
- Then Peter said unto them, 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” (Acts 2:38).
- “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins,” (Acts 10:43).
- Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;” (Romans 3:25).
- “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission,” (Hebrews 9:22).
- “Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin,” (Hebrews 10:18).
Is Remission The Same As Forgiveness?
No! Remission is different from forgiveness. The former is necessary to be clean. If our sins remain we are defiled.
But if they are washed away or removed or remitted, then we are clean.
The latter does not remove the sins but the person is treated as if they are none.
In the Bible, the removal of sins has seen a steady progression to Christ.
In the Bible, and in our lives repentance to life and remission of sins are inseparable.
How Was Removal of Sins Achieved in The OT?
The major method was by offering a yearly sacrifice for each person. But this method had a flaw. It left the person making the offering feeling guilty. Additionally, the blood of animals could not take away (remit) sins.
It couldn’t purge the conscience from sins.
John The Baptist And The Remission of Sins
In the NT John the Baptism preached and practiced the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
See Mark 1: 4 & Luke 3:3 in the list above.
But even that couldn’t permanently remove the sins of the people. But it wasn’t meant to for he was the forerunner of Christ.
Jesus came to die once to remove all our sins forever.
And for that reason, Jesus Christ came and shed his blood for our sanctification.
Blood is essential in both the OT and NT to accomplish it. See Hebrews 9:22 in the list above.
We can’t say the same about forgiveness of sins because no blood is needed to forgive.
Conclusion
The remission of our sins means the removal of them. It is different from the forgiveness of sins. Our sins could be forgiven but not removed (that’s why Jesus had to die).
It is important for the conscience to be free from sin. In the OT the removal of sins was temporary because the blood of animals is inadequate for permanent removal.
Thus, Christ came and bleed for our permanent cleansing.
On the other hand, if they are removed there is nothing to forgive.
From our point of view, forgiveness requires the input of our hearts. But remission is contingent on the shedding of pure blood.
