NO BLOOD NO FORGIVENESS

NO BLOOD, NO FORGIVENESS

Many in the church today have had struggles with understanding what forgiveness of sins actually is. This article is not to touch every area on forgiveness, but to share the fundamentals on the biblical perspective of forgiveness of sins.

Hebrews 9:22

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood, and without shedding of blood is no remission

The above verse is very crucial in understanding biblical forgiveness of sins. Taking a reference point from the law, into today’s covenant, there must be shedding of blood for there to be forgiveness.

Since man sinned in Genesis chapter 3, the Lord promised to handle sin from the very roots. He made a vow to save man from sin in verse 15, which was followed by an action on the Lord’s part, explaining to man what needs to be done to receive forgiveness as a result of man’s sin.

Genesis 3:15

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: it shall bruise your head, and thou shalt bruise the heel

Genesis 3:21

Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

The shedding of blood in this context is not a mere killing, but refers to the offering of blood. In offerings, blood speaks of life:

Leviticus 17:11,14

11. For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

12. For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Isreal, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off.

Hence In Genesis chapter 3 verse 21, the life of the animal was offered for them, thereby clothing them with the skin of the same animal. Through scripture, it is evident that forgiveness is received only by blood. Therefore, Jesus’ sacrifice for man in accordance with the scriptures MUST be a shedding of blood.

Hebrews 10: 1-4

1. For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

2. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.

3. But in those sacrifices, there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.

4. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

Until the blood of Jesus, every offering for sin was a shadow. These offerings COULD NOT do the job. See, there were offerings, and there was forgiveness even under the law, but these offerings NEVER accomplished what God promised to man.

Hebrews 10:10-14

10. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

11. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

12. But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

13. From henceforth expecting till his enemies are made his footstool.

14. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Until this sacrifice of God (The offering of the blood of His Son), the promise God made was not fulfilled. What did God promise?

Hebrews 10:15-17

15. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

16. This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

17. And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

WHAT GOD PROMISED WAS REMISSION OF SINS!

Acts 2:38

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 10:43

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

The word Remission in the Greek lexicon means to take away, put away, wipe out. This is the new testament forgiveness: a remission. This is the forgiveness we have in Christ: the forgiveness that actually took away sin. The priest did not minister daily and yearly for sins because they had a routine. They ministered so because the sins they offered for were still present; only atoned (covered) for.

Hebrews 10:4

For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

Also, the sacrifice / the shedding of the blood of Jesus was done once not because he only had one chance. NO! It was done once for the promise of God was now accomplished. It was done once for there will be no need for another. It was done once because the effect of the result of this one offering lasts forever.

To trust in another sacrifice for forgiveness is to deny the forgiveness of God and seek a sense appealing forgiveness. To accept the ONE sacrifice Jesus offered more than once is to equate his sacrifice, with the sacrifice of the blood of the bulls and goats.

In conclusion;

Hebrews 10:18

Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering of sin.

No sacrifice is acceptable anymore! Why? Because the one sacrifice HAS DONE the job! Make no sentiments about forgiveness. It is only blood that brings forgiveness! (According to the scriptures)

This is God’s Idea, and it is God’s prerogative. And he himself has done the job. Praise God!!!