This is difficult. It involves Greek aorist tense (
John 20:23) for the first verbs --sins [
ye remit] and also for the other first verb [
ye-might-retain]. Technically it is V-ASA-2P (Verb Aorist Subjunctive-Active, 2nd Person, Plural). Also Malachi challenges the noun "sin" but not from this passage specifically (even though the same Greek root word is used) and I am not familiar enough to comment. ἀφῆτε is translated "ye remit" but that does not do justice to the Greek tense 'cause there is no English equivalent for that verb tense and I'm not sufficiently versed except to know where to spot the big trouble points. The second use (are remitted) is easier. It means "have already been remitted or forgiven". That's where I got my
Post 72 thought but I still can't speak dogmatically to say "No" in all or every case.
The whole connection was when Jesus breathed on them saying Receive the Holy Spirit. Then he said whosoever sins YE leave, they are left. Otherwise the person retains them.
This command would be in conjunction with the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Mar_6:11
And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
Shaking dust off your feet and walking away is a testimony against someone. There would have to be a just as equal testimony if they let you in and listened. A testimony that would benefit them. Leaving, they would retain, with the testimony to back it up.
Case 2:
And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy;
Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
(Mat 9:2)
Is Jesus imparting eternal life to this person? Eternal life to based on who? Jesus had yet to go to the cross. We know it was not based on the sin of not believing in the son of God, but based on sin that caused the sickness to start.
Jesus was led in this case, saw the cause of the issues.
But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house. But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men. (
They marvel at the fact the man got up and walked? and/or the power to forgive sin given to men? It does not say.)
(Mat 9:6-8)
Case 3:
Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him,
Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
(Joh 5:14)
Sin can bring sickness. Jesus warns this guy about that.
2Ch_7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will
forgive their sin, and
will heal their land.
Psa_103:3
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;
who healeth all thy diseases;
Being healed and forgiven are connected.
And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and
if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
(Jas 5:15)
How have I used this principle?
The sad, the bad, and defeated.
I have run into lots of folks that need healed, need something from the Lord. Christians are the worse of the bunch to witness to though.
I'll say something about being healed, but if they go into a thing about Paul and His thorn or want to bring up How sick Job's turkeys where. I just say fine. There is no receiving, no questions, 17 years of teaching faith, and they want to tell me their version of Paul's thorn.
I just say, OK then. Unless they ask, I won't say a word. They can have whatever they want to have.
Even talking about Jesus. Had one guy go into a thing with me about how there are many bibles and you just don't know which one is true and man wrote it.... Well, if you are more interested in telling me about how you don't value the Word, Than me telling you about Jesus, then have at that then.
One girl, my wife's friend on 1,200 dollars a month of depression medication, Bi-polar and schizophrenic, I met her. A complete mess, and often hospitalized. I told her she can be free of all mental illness, but you have to do what I say. She believed me, but the wife did tell her how the Lord had used me in the past.
I said Lord, have mercy on her, Forgive her and give her time to see all that you want to show us. Be patient Lord.
(Not a Bam, be forgive in Jesus name, but that is how I use this)
Spent 6 months with her in the Word. The Lord told me what to do. He had me have her write down on paper that She does not have a spirit of fear, but of peace, power and sound mind. I said confess that every single chance you get, in the store, at home, read it off that piece of paper.
Well that is what she did for 6 months. None the better.
It was going into the 7th month and she had to go in for a regular doctor visit, get test, check her dosages. She said she was sitting there, and she said it was like a light that came on. "I have a sound mind, I don't need medication."
She said it seemed more real than anything around her. So she told the doctor, no more meds, I am through. One she had to be weened off though because of the danger of withdraws.
That was years ago, we still talk to her. She teaches now, and shares her testimony about standing on God's word.
Long enough.
Blessings.
