DavidM writes: That would be like me trying to look up third party support for Jesus actually existing and dying for the sins of the world.
Jonathan writes: Sorry David but I want to pick up on this point you made. I believe that Jesus did die for the sins of the world. John the Baptist states that He is the Lamb of God coming to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29). However, I think that most people (possibly including yourself) really read this idea/verse as if Jesus came to take away the sins of the Christians, or the sins of those who got their theology right, or those who followed enough of the law to be justified, or those who prayed a certain prayer, or those who repented? (Note here that in the parable of the prodigal son, the son's repentance has absolutely nothing to do with the Father's acceptance and loving embrace - in fact the text says that the Father pretty much ignored the son's attempt at confessing his sin against him. The acceptance and embrace come before repentance in this case (Luke 15). There is a large difference between a response towards God (belief etc.) and a criterion for being in right relationship with Him). So my question for the group is this: Although the Bible specifically states that He came to take away the sins of the world (that is the entire world, not just a subset of people), why do some here continue to claim that He only took away the sins of the Christians? Also note 2 Cor 5:19. Was Christ actually reconciling the world to himself or just a few of us? "For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others". Sorry about the translation(NLV) but it is the one I have beside my computer. Please take some time today to think about the three passages mentioned above. Jonathan ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
