The Apostles' Creed - Lesson 12: The forgiveness of sins

The Apostles' Creed

Lesson 12: The forgiveness of sins

I believe in God, the Father, Almighty, maker of heaven and earth;

And in Jesus Christ, his only son, our lord;

Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

Born of the virgin Mary,

Suffered under Pontius Pilate,

Was crucified, dead and buried.

He descended into hell,

And on the third day he rose again;

He ascended into heaven,

Where he is now seated at the right hand of God, the Father, Almighty,

Whence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

The holy, catholic church,

The communion of saints,

The forgiveness of sins,

The resurrection of the body,

And the life everlasting.

Amen.

Psalm 130:3-4 [3] If you, Yah, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? [4] But there is forgiveness with you, therefore you are feared.

2 Chronicles 7:13-14 [13] “If I shut up the sky so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; [14] if my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

The Main Points for This Lesson:

The purpose of this series of lessons is, using the Apostles' Creed, to teach the essential teachings of the Christian faith and what it means to believe them. To state it simply, the goal is to teach what we believe and what it means to believe it.

The Apostles' Creed has three main sections. The third section begins with the Holy Spirit. In this lesson we will learn about the third part of this third section: “...The forgiveness of sins.”

Unless the Almighty Maker of heaven and earth, the Giver of life, the Judge of all men, were willing to forgive us, we would have no hope for this life or the next, and would be lost forever. As the race of men we have sinned against God, and even made ourselves his enemy. As individuals we have each sinned against our holy Maker. Our sins have made a barrier between us and God (Isaiah 59:2). Through our own choices and actions we have incurred a debt of sin that can only be paid by death. Would the Almighty Maker be willing under any conditions to restore, or reestablish a relationship with us, who have been by word, thought and deed his enemies, and owe such a debt? The Psalmist tells us that there is forgiveness found with God (Psalm 130:4).

God offers forgiveness to all men under certain conditions. That is, forgiveness is given only to those who meet the conditions. The Holy Spirit, leading holy men, has shown us both the possibility of forgiveness and the conditions for receiving it from God.

We must humble ourselves. We must be honest with ourselves about ourselves. Sin in our hearts and in our actions must be recognized as sin. Jesus told of a Pharisee and a tax collector (Luke 18:9-14). The tax collector went home justified (forgiven), because he humbled himself (v14).

We must repent. While such honesty is necessary, it must be followed by repentance, by an actual turning (in our heart, mind and daily living) away from our sin and a turning to God and his ways. I may be willing to admit that when I steal, or when I do not honor my parents, I am breaking God's holy law. Until I decide that I no longer want to steal, or no longer want to dishonor my parents, but instead want to obey God above, until I repent in my heart and mind and in how I live each day, I cannot expect to receive forgiveness from God. It must be understood that repentance is not a single event in time that can then be forgotten. We must daily live out our repentance. The apostle John said it this way, “If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and don’t tell the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:6-7).

We must confess our sins. Humbling ourselves and repenting cannot be a private matter in our own heart alone. You must confess your sins to God. This is done through prayer. This confession of sins and repentance must also be made with the mouth before men. This is often done through baptism.

The debt of sin must be paid. This debt must be paid on two levels. The debt of death must be paid. God demonstrated his love to us by sending his own beloved Son to pay that debt for us while we were yet his enemies (Romans 5:8). God paid this impossible debt. On a second level, through our sins, we may have caused damage that should be repaid. As much as possible, we should make restitution on earth for our sins. Have we stolen? We should repay. Have we lied? We should confess the truth. It was after Zacchaeus (Luke 19:8-9) publicly pledged to give half his wealth and repay (four times as much) whatever he stole that Jesus said, “Today, salvation has come to this house.”

We must forgive others. Jesus taught simply that if we forgive others, our Father in heaven will forgive us, but if we do not forgive others, neither will our Father in heaven forgive us our sins. If we do not forgive those who comes to us saying, “I repent,” we cannot rightly expect God to forgive us.

God forgives us. God does not owe us forgiveness. We have not earned forgiveness by our humility, repentance and confession. God gives forgiveness freely to whom he will. He has told us through his apostles and prophets, and through his Son, that he will give forgiveness to those who “humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways” (2 Chronicles 7:14). Forgiveness is not simply a one time event. God forgives us at the beginning of our Christian life, that is, he establishes a relationship with us who were once his enemies. We do not outgrow humility, repentance, confession or forgiving others. When we outgrow these things, when we no longer walk in humility, when we no longer turn from our sins to God, when we no longer confess our own sins and forgive others, when we outgrow these things, then we outgrow forgiveness. As did the king's servant (Matthew 18:23-35), we will lose the forgiveness we once had.

Are there means or methods of obtaining forgiveness from God? Has God himself established means for men to receive forgiveness? In the words of Jesus and in the teaching of the apostles we do see such means established. It should be noted that these means are different from the conditions. A man who has fulfilled the conditions must receive forgiveness through the means God has chosen.

Baptism. John the Baptist preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus and his disciples baptized people (John 3:22). Jesus commanded his disciples to make disciples, baptizing them (Matthew 28:19). At the first pouring out of the Holy Spirit, the apostle Peter offered hope to the crowds, saying, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins” (Acts 2:38). Baptism has been established by God as a means of receiving forgiveness of sins.

The church. When on earth, Jesus had authority to forgive sins. When on earth, he gave this authority to his church. He told his disciples that they had the authority to forgive or to not forgive men's sins (John 20:23). For this reason, baptism is connected and should be connected to the church. Beyond baptism, James wrote about confessing our sins to one another. He wrote about calling for the elders for prayer, and he connected this to forgiveness if sins had been committed. God has established both baptism and the church as means through with he gives forgiveness to the humble, repentant sinner.

What does it mean to believe this? If we believe in the forgiveness of sins, we will desire God's forgiveness. We will take account of the conditions for forgiveness and humbly do our part to fulfill those conditions. We will come to God for forgiveness under his conditions using his means. If we believe in the forgiveness of sins, we will live in humility, forgiving others, until we see our Lord face to face.

Suggestions:

Open each lesson with prayer for the teacher and the students and this class time.

Remind the children that we are using the Apostles' Creed to teach the essential teachings of the Christian faith, that is, what we believe and what it means to believe it. Read through the Apostles' Creed with the children.

For the purpose of these lessons, we have broken the creed into twelve parts. Let the children know that today we will talk about the tenth part: ...The forgiveness of sins.

Ask the children what they think forgiveness means. Help them to understand that forgiveness means that God is willing to have a relationship with us again. They may understand the example of a friend. When a friend hurts you, and then the friend comes and says they are sorry, the friendship is not mended until you forgive them so that you can be friends again.

Read the story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) to the children. Use this story to mention the idea of conditions for forgiveness. You can ask questions such as: Did Zacchaeus seek after God? (He sought after Jesus) How did Zacchaeus change? Could you say that he repented? When did Jesus say that salvation had come to his house?

You don't need to read it, but you could remind the children of the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector from Luke 18:9-14. You can ask them who was justified, or who was forgiven. What was the difference? Do you think humility is important if we want to be forgiven by God?

Close the lesson with prayer related to the subject and the students. Pray the Lord's Prayer together.

Stories:

Matthew 18:21-35 [21] Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?” [22] Jesus said to him, “I don’t tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven. [23] Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who wanted to reconcile accounts with his servants. [24] When he had begun to reconcile, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. [25] But because he couldn’t pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, with his wife, his children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. [26] The servant therefore fell down and kneeled before him, saying, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will repay you all!’ [27] The lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. [28] “But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, who owed him one hundred denarii, and he grabbed him, and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ [29] “So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay you!’ [30] He would not, but went and cast him into prison, until he should pay back that which was due. [31] So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were exceedingly sorry, and came and told to their lord all that was done. [32] Then his lord called him in, and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt, because you begged me. [33] Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, even as I had mercy on you?’ [34] His lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors, until he should pay all that was due to him. [35] So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you don’t each forgive your brother from your hearts for his misdeeds.”

Luke 19:1-10 [1] He entered and was passing through Jericho. [2] There was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. [3] He was trying to see who Jesus was, and couldn’t because of the crowd, because he was short. [4] He ran on ahead, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. [5] When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” [6] He hurried, came down, and received him joyfully. [7] When they saw it, they all murmured, saying, “He has gone in to lodge with a man who is a sinner.” [8] Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my goods I give to the poor. If I have wrongfully exacted anything of anyone, I restore four times as much.” [9] Jesus said to him, “Today, salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham. [10] For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”

More Stories and Examples:

Matthew 9:1-8 [1] He entered into a boat, and crossed over, and came into his own city. [2] Behold, they brought to him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a bed. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, cheer up! Your sins are forgiven you.” [3] Behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man blasphemes.” [4] Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? [5] For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk?’ [6] But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...” (then he said to the paralytic), “Get up, and take up your mat, and go up to your house.” [7] He arose and departed to his house. [8] But when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

[Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26]

Luke 7:36-50 [36] One of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered into the Pharisee’s house, and sat at the table. [37] Behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that he was reclining in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of ointment. [38] Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. [39] Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what kind of woman this is who touches him, that she is a sinner.” [40] Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” He said, “Teacher, say on.” [41] “A certain lender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. [42] When they couldn’t pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?” [43] Simon answered, “He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most.” He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” [44] Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered into your house, and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head. [45] You gave me no kiss, but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet. [46] You didn’t anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. [47] Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” [48] He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” [49] Those who sat at the table with him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” [50] He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Luke 18:9-14

This is the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector. This shows the importance of humbling ourselves before the Lord. It was in this humility that the tax collector was justified.

Other Verses:

Exodus 34:5-7 [5] Yahweh descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed Yahweh’s name. [6] Yahweh passed by before him, and proclaimed, “Yahweh! Yahweh, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth, [7] keeping loving kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and disobedience and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the children’s children, on the third and on the fourth generation.”

Psalm 32:1-2 [1] Blessed is he whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is covered. [2] Blessed is the man to whom Yahweh doesn’t impute iniquity, in whose spirit there is no deceit. [Romans 4:7-8]

Psalm 103:2-3 [2] Praise Yahweh, my soul, and don’t forget all his benefits; [3] who forgives all your sins; who heals all your diseases;

Psalm 130:3-4 [3] If you, Yah, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? [4] But there is forgiveness with you, therefore you are feared.

Isaiah 59:1-2 [1] Behold, Yahweh’s hand is not shortened, that it can’t save; neither his ear heavy, that it can’t hear: [2] but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.

Micah 7:18-20 [18] Who is a God like you, who pardons iniquity, and passes over the disobedience of the remnant of his heritage? He doesn’t retain his anger forever, because he delights in loving kindness. [19] He will again have compassion on us. He will tread our iniquities under foot; and you will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. [20] You will give truth to Jacob, and mercy to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.

1 John 1:6-10 [6] If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and don’t tell the truth. [7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. [8] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we say that we haven’t sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

FORGIVENESS AND JESUS

Luke 23:34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Dividing his garments among them, they cast lots.

Acts 13:37-39 [37] But he whom God raised up saw no decay. [38] Be it known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man is proclaimed to you remission of sins, [39] and by him everyone who believes is justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Colossians 1:9-15 [9] For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don’t cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, [10] that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; [11] strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy; [12] giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; [13] who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love; [14] in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins; [15] who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

Colossians 2:13 You were dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh. He made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,

1 John 2:12 I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.

FORGIVENESS AND BLOOD

Ephesians 1:7 in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

FORGIVENESS AND REPENTANCE

2 Chronicles 7:13-14 [13] “If I shut up the sky so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; [14] if my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Jeremiah 36:1-3 [1] In the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying, [2] Take a scroll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken to you against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spoke to you, from the days of Josiah, even to this day. [3] It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do to them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.

Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are decreed on your people and on your holy city, to finish disobedience, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy.

Mark 1:4-8 [4] John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching the baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins. [5] All the country of Judea and all those of Jerusalem went out to him. They were baptized by him in the Jordan river, confessing their sins. [6] John was clothed with camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. [7] He preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and loosen. [8] I baptized you in water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.”

Mark 4:11-12 [11] He said to them, “To you is given the mystery of the Kingdom of God, but to those who are outside, all things are done in parables, [12] that ‘seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest perhaps they should turn again, and their sins should be forgiven them.’”

Luke 24:45-48 [45] Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures. [46] He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, [47] and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. [48] You are witnesses of these things.

Acts 2:37-40 [37] Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” [38] Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [39] For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.” [40] With many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”

Acts 3:19 “Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord,

Acts 5:30-32 [30] The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed, hanging him on a tree. [31] God exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins. [32] We are His witnesses of these things; and so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

Acts 8:22 Repent therefore of this, your wickedness, and ask God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.

FORGIVENESS AND CONFESSION

James 5:16 Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.

1 John 1:8-10 [8] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we say that we haven’t sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

FORGIVENESS AND FORGIVING OTHERS

Matthew 6:9-15 [9] Pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. [10] Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. [11] Give us today our daily bread. [12] Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. [13] Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’ [14] “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. [15] But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Mark 11:25-26 [25] Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father, who is in heaven, may also forgive you your transgressions. [26] But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your transgressions.”

Luke 17:3-4 [3] Be careful. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him. [4] If he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times returns, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

Ephesians 4:30-32 [30] Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. [31] Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice. [32] And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 [1] But know this, that in the last days, grievous times will come. [2] For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, not lovers of good, [4] traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; [5] holding a form of godliness, but having denied its power. Turn away from these, also.

FORGIVENESS AND BAPTISM

Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned.

Acts 22:16 Now why do you wait? Arise, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’

FORGIVENESS AND THE CHURCH

John 20:23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they have been forgiven them. If you retain anyone’s sins, they have been retained.”

James 5:14-16 [14] Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, [15] and the prayer of faith will heal him who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. [16] Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.

2 Kings 5:18-19 [18] In this thing may Yahweh pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon. When I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, may Yahweh pardon your servant in this thing.” [19] He said to him, “Go in peace.” So he departed from him a little way.

In this Old Testament story, Naaman seeks forgiveness (future) from God through the prophet of God. Elisha released Naaman from guilt regarding the matter.

FORGIVENESS AND NOT FORGIVEN

Matthew 6:14-15 [14] “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. [15] But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 12:30-32 [30] “He who is not with me is against me, and he who doesn’t gather with me, scatters. [31] Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. [32] Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, neither in this age, nor in that which is to come. [Mark 3:28-29]

Mark 3:28-29 [28] Most certainly I tell you, all sins of the descendants of man will be forgiven, including their blasphemies with which they may blaspheme; [29] but whoever may blaspheme against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation.” [Matthew 12:30-32]

Hebrews 10:26-31 [26] For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, [27] but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries. [28] A man who disregards Moses’ law dies without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses. [29] How much worse punishment, do you think, will he be judged worthy of, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant with which he was sanctified an unholy thing, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? [30] For we know him who said, “Vengeance belongs to me,” says the Lord, “I will repay.” Again, “The Lord will judge his people.” [31] It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.