The concept of the remission of sins is central to Christian theology and salvation. In simple terms, the remission of sins refers to the forgiveness of sins by God. It is through Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross that the remission of sins becomes available to humanity. When someone repents and puts their faith in Christ, their sins are forgiven and they are reconciled with God. The Bible has much to say about this vital doctrine.
Definition and Meaning
The word “remission” means forgiveness or pardon. It comes from the Greek word aphesis which means “to send away” or “release.” The remission of sins is the sending away or releasing of the sins we have committed, freeing us from the penalty of those transgressions. It is God’s gracious act of forgiving us and not holding our sins against us any longer.
Several other terms are sometimes used synonymously with the remission of sins, including redemption, justification, and atonement. While each of these words has its own nuance, they all convey the essential truth that through Christ, our sins are no longer counted against us. Our debt of sin has been paid.
Old Testament Background
The foundation for the doctrine of remission of sins is rooted in the Old Testament. While the sacrifices prescribed under the Mosaic law were limited in their power to take away sins (Hebrews 10:4), they foreshadowed the sacrifice of Christ which would completely deal with sin.
Several Old Testament prophecies pointed ahead to a time when sins would be decisively forgiven:
“I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me.” (Jeremiah 33:8)
“He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” (Micah 7:19)
These prophecies built anticipation that a day was coming when sin would be vanquished and removed for God’s people. Jesus came to fulfill these prophecies.
Christ’s Sacrifice and the New Covenant
The death of Jesus on the cross is the basis on which God forgives and removes sin. Jesus bore the penalty for sin on our behalf so that we could be set free. As Isaiah prophesied about the Messiah: “Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.” (Isaiah 53:11)
Because of Christ’s sacrifice, a new covenant was established, under which sins are remembered no more. As the author of Hebrews explains:
“For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, ‘This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,’ then he adds, ‘I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.’ Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.” (Hebrews 10:14-18)
The new covenant promised in Jeremiah 31:31-34 is now operative through Christ’s shed blood, which provides the basis for the remission of sins.
Sins are Forgiven at Salvation
According to the Bible, remission of sins is available to all who place their faith in Christ and repent of their sins (Luke 24:47). When someone turns to Christ, confessing Him as Lord and Savior, their sins are forgiven instantly through the blood Jesus shed on the cross. At the moment of faith, one’s sins are remitted.
Several verses connect repentance, faith in Christ, and forgiveness of sins:
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.” (Acts 3:19)
“To the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: ‘Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.'” (Romans 4:5-7)
Saving faith and repentance are the human responses necessary to receive the lavish gift of forgiveness Christ purchased. There is no earning or merit involved, but only humble reception of a gracious pardon.
Forgiveness is a Central Gospel Message
The fact that sins are freely forgiven through Jesus was central to the gospel proclamation in the book of Acts. Peter preached:
“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)
Philip taught the Ethiopian eunuch that Isaiah 53 described Jesus, “who was led like a sheep to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice…For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Acts 8:32-35). The good news is that Christ bore our sins so they could be taken away.
Paul summed up his gospel ministry by stating: “I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ…that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” (Acts 20:21, 26:18). Preaching forgiveness through Christ was the heart of apostolic evangelism.
Forgiveness Cleanses the Conscience
An important result of the remission of sins is a cleansed conscience before God. Guilt is taken away and we experience inner moral renewal.
The author of Hebrews explains how the sacrifices under the old covenant could not make the worshiper perfect in conscience since they were just outward rituals. But “when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.” Therefore, “how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” (Hebrews 9:11-14)
Because of Christ’s sacrifice applied to us through faith, our moral conscience is cleansed, and we are empowered to serve God in freedom and joy.
Continuing Forgiveness for Believers
While Scripture makes it clear that sins are initially forgiven at the point of saving faith, it also teaches that believers need ongoing cleansing as we continue to struggle with sin in this life (1 John 1:9). Through continual confession and repentance, Christians receive continual forgiveness and restoration in their walk with Christ (1 John 1:7). The initially received gift of redemption is applied to our lives daily as we humbly agree with God about our sins and turn from them. This ongoing need for confession and forgiveness does not contradict the completeness of Christ’s work which accomplished our redemption fully. But as sinners, we still need daily restoration to fellowship with God. The remission of sins is received both definitively at conversion and continually throughout the Christian life.
Complete Remission of Sins at Christ’s Return
While believers experience genuine forgiveness in this life through faith in Christ, we still await a future, ultimate remission of sins. At Christ’s second coming, the work of salvation will reach completion and perfection. The author of Hebrews says “Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” (Hebrews 9:28)
Peter also speaks of this arriving salvation ready “to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:5) When Christ returns and the dead are raised, at that time our final adoption and redemption will occur, as our physical bodies are resurrected to immortality and sin is eradicated. The definitive remission of sins we presently possess by faith will transform into everlasting freedom from sin’s presence and influence when “the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” (Romans 8:21)
What believers enjoy in part now through the remission of sins will be experienced in fullness in resurrected glory. Sin’s power and presence will be no more.
Implications of Remission of Sins
The remission of sins through faith in Christ changes everything. Those who receive God’s pardon have assurance of eternal life rather than judgment (John 5:24). Our relationship to God is one of peace and favor rather than hostility and condemnation. Access to God is open as Christ’s high priestly ministry sanctifies us (Hebrews 10:10). And with sins forgiven and removed as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12), we experience freedom from guilt and empowerment to live an obedient life, bearing fruit for God. Forgiveness is not the end, but the new beginning.
The doctrine of the remission of sins reveals the gracious love of God. That He would send His Son to bear our sins and pay our moral debt demonstrates infinite mercy. A holy God has made a way to justly forgive. And all who humble themselves in repentance to receive His offer of pardon can experience newness of life, being set free from sin’s penalty and power. The remission of sins liberates us to joyfully follow after Christ.