Are we to repent for our ancestors past sins?

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by aegsm76

What I think is that there is no example in the NT of anyone repenting for a past ancestor's sins.
So, it seems like we are making up a new doctrine or adding to the Word of God.

Do you believe nothing is doctrine, or that nothing is the Word of God, if it is not in the New Testament scriptures?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by aegsm76

What I think is that there is no example in the NT of anyone repenting for a past ancestor's sins.
So, it seems like we are making up a new doctrine or adding to the Word of God.

We see God visiting the sins of the fathers unto the third and fourth generations in OT Scripture, and God changes not, therefore, such a disposition is a part of God's eternal nature. The prophets repeatedly repented and confessed the sins of the fathers on behalf of the people. All of this was an accepted OT reality.

In the New Testament, the willful rebellion of the Jewish people was revealed as being predicated upon their continuation of their father's stiff necked rebellion. This was mentioned several times in the NT, was it not?

The New Testament goes into how in Adam, all men die. Tracing the origin of sin and our fallen state back to our very first ancestor, Adam. Does it not?

These are all pieces of a larger picture.

[aegsm76]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Do you believe nothing is doctrine, or that nothing is the Word of God, if it is not in the New Testament scriptures?

No, but there should be the basic concept there.
Many of the OT "doctrines" are addressed in the NT.
Either to affirm, deny or to instruct.
And there is no such concept for this in the NT.

[aegsm76]

Originally Posted by Aquila

We see God visiting the sins of the fathers unto the third and fourth generations in OT Scripture, and God changes not, therefore, such a disposition is a part of God's eternal nature. The prophets repeatedly repented and confessed the sins of the fathers on behalf of the people. All of this was an accepted OT reality.

In the New Testament, the willful rebellion of the Jewish people was revealed as being predicated upon their continuation of their father's stiff necked rebellion. This was mentioned several times in the NT, was it not?

The New Testament goes into how in Adam, all men die. Tracing the origin of sin and our fallen state back to our very first ancestor, Adam. Does it not?

These are all pieces of a larger picture.

Does God give the Holy Ghost to someone who has not repented?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by aegsm76

Does God give the Holy Ghost to someone who has not repented?

You're committing another category fallacy. I've explained this already. I'll allow you to explain how you're committing a category fallacy with the statement above.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by aegsm76

No, but there should be the basic concept there.
Many of the OT "doctrines" are addressed in the NT.
Either to affirm, deny or to instruct.
And there is no such concept for this in the NT.

If the OT idea of confession includes confessing the sins of one's people and ancestors, and the NT does not redefine confession, then...?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by aegsm76

No, but there should be the basic concept there.
Many of the OT "doctrines" are addressed in the NT.
Either to affirm, deny or to instruct.
And there is no such concept for this in the NT.

Consider that given the fact that the NT canon wasn't established until well after Apostolic times, during the events depicted in the NT writings, all they had was the OT. And the OT is filled with references to generational sin being visited on subsequent generations. That being the case, is it not possible that most NT believers who were familiar with the OT automatically understood that when they repented, they included the sins of their fathers?

[n david]

Look, if it makes you feel better, go ahead put on sackcloth and ashes, wail and repent for the thievery, pillaging, slavery, adultery, lying, etc of your dead ancestors.

It will not do a thing to affect your salvation, nor does it have any bearing on your walk with God. Period.

Regarding the OT examples of repenting for sins of the nation: in the OT there were Levitical priests and a High Priest who would make a sacrifice for the sins of the children of Israel.

The cross changed everything. We no longer have priests or a human High Priest who offers a yearly sacrifice for our sin. Instead, when we repent of our sins and are baptized in Jesus Name, they are buried and gone.

You will not find a single example during Jesus' ministry of people repenting for dead ancestors, nor of Him requiring they do.

The woman found in the act of adultery was told "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." Jesus didn't demand she repent of sins of others. He didn't ask about her ancestor's accusers. He asked about her accusers, forgave her and sent her on her way.

Nor will you find a single example of Paul or any other Disciple/Apostle instructing NT saints to repent for the sins of their ancestors.

The Cross changed everything.

[aegsm76]

Originally Posted by n david

Look, if it makes you feel better, go ahead put on sackcloth and ashes, wail and repent for the thievery, pillaging, slavery, adultery, lying, etc of your dead ancestors.

It will not do a thing to affect your salvation, nor does it have any bearing on your walk with God. Period.

Regarding the OT examples of repenting for sins of the nation: in the OT there were Levitical priests and a High Priest who would make a sacrifice for the sins of the children of Israel.

The cross changed everything. We no longer have priests or a human High Priest who offers a yearly sacrifice for our sin. Instead, when we repent of our sins and are baptized in Jesus Name, they are buried and gone.

You will not find a single example during Jesus' ministry of people repenting for dead ancestors, nor of Him requiring they do.

The woman found in the act of adultery was told "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." Jesus didn't demand she repent of sins of others. He didn't ask about her ancestor's accusers. He asked about her accusers, forgave her and sent her on her way.

Nor will you find a single example of Paul or any other Disciple/Apostle instructing NT saints to repent for the sins of their ancestors.

The Cross changed everything.

Exactly

[Esaias]

Is somebody arguing that one can repent for other people and it produces forgiveness for those people?