[good samaritan]

Originally Posted by Esaias

The idea was mentioned by the thread starter on page 1, and GoodSamaritan seemed to be arguing in favor of that position (although it's hard for me to tell exactly what his position is).

Current ALJC Articles of Faith:

"Repentance and Remission of Sin
The only grounds upon which God will accept a sinner is repentance from the heart for his sins that he has committed. A broken and contrite heart He will not despise (Psalm 51:17). John preached repentance, Jesus proclaimed it, and before His ascension commanded that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name, beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:47). Peter fulfilled this command on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38)."

UPCI Articles of Faith:
"REPENTANCE AND CONVERSION
Pardon and forgiveness of sins is obtained by genuine repentance, a confessing and forsaking of sins. We are justified by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). John the Baptist preached repentance, Jesus proclaimed it, and the Apostles emphasized it to both Jews and Gentiles. (Acts 2:38, 11:18, 17:30).

The word “repentance” comes from several Greek words which mean, change of views and purpose, change of heart, change of mind, change of life, to transform, etc.

Jesus said, -except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).

Luke 24:47 says, “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” - http://www.preachingpoints.com/2009/...international/

The UPCI main official website no longer has their Articles of Faith for some reason. And it seems the ALJC has updated their Articles. I remember they used to read almost verbatim the same way the UPCI's did.

Granted, the UPCI could be read in such a way as to accommodate both views (the whole point of the issue during the 1945 Merger), but consider the official PAJC statement which does not conjoin forgiveness with repentance, prefers the term remission, and definitely conjoins remission with baptism (see here and scroll down for link to pdf ---> https://www.pajci.org/about-us ).

I never differentiated forgiveness/remission on this thread. My view is that you receive forgiveness/remission the moment you truly repent and put your faith in Jesus. Baptism is a command we must follow, but we don’t manipulate the grace of God by doing so. Repentance is a matter of the heart, and forgiveness is a matter of God. We can become like the Pharisees by making salvation by our doctrine rather than salvation by Jesus Christ.

Acts 2:38 doesn’t save me(but God does), but if I live for God,I will follow his commands to be baptized (as well as all the others). If I don’t consent to baptism then I am refusing to serve Him by being disobedient to his Word.

I may have deviated from the threads question, but I haven’t said anything to make you think that forgiveness and remission are 2 different things. In the English yes, in the Greek No. I have agreed all through this this thread that the same Greek word is used for forgiveness/remission.