Is restitution necessary to be baptized(forgiven).

[Sean]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Seems to me Jesus is saying God expects to be reconciled to our fellow man as a condition of offering acceptable worship to Him.

The context btw is the temple service and thus not "among saints in the church".

Peter called unregenerate Jews "brothers" when preaching to them, so the term brother does not ONLY mean "fellow Christian."

In any event one shpuld make restitution when and where possible. And yes failure to make restitution when possible may hinder receiving from God.

Well think about this for a moment. In EVERY event of a Baptism in the N.T.(early church), restitution was never mentioned prior to baptism.
All those that were baptized(and believing) were done immediately.
Repent in those days, would simply mean turn around(do a 180), not scatter and go fix your mistakes the best you can and then come back and we will baptize you.


Did Paul make restitution prior to baptism(for his sins against the church), or did God accept him in his brokenness? Did Paul EVER try to make restitution even AFTER he was baptized?

Paul is trying to show us that whatever happened in the past cannot be fixed, so we must accept the GRACE of God regarding unmerited forgiveness and move forward.


Restitution, prior to baptism is another man made barrier between man and God. It is just ANOTHER hurdle man has erected to make it extremely difficult to find salvation.