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There such a thing as an "unforgivable sin or mortal sin", forgiveness can only be attained through the redemption of Christ's blood. Purgatory is unscriptural and invented by Rome in 593 AD. The Bible is clear that are only two destinations on Judgment Day- the Kingdom of God in heaven or the lake of fire.
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Unforgivable sins


Letter to the Editor:
PASUGO, September 1998, p.3

GREETINGS TO ALL of you!  l have read a copy of Pasugo and your letters section appealed to me.   I would like to ask you the following questions:

1.  Is there such a thing as an "unforgivable sin?" What if one has committed such sin but later on repents, changes for the better or renews his life, and follows God's teachings, will that person be forgiven?

2.  Do you believe in "mortal" and "venial" sins?   In connection with this, isn't the soul of a man who had committed sins but was not totally wicked destined first to purgatory for cleansing through the offering of Masses or prayers for the dead before going to heaven?

I am searching for the truth and I believe your answers to these questions will help me a lot.

Albert Distor
Bataan, Philippines


Editor's reply:

Thank you for writing us. The following are the answers to your questions:

1. The Bible teaches that all sins committed outside the redeeming function of Christ’s blood, regardless of gravity, will not be forgiven. The Scriptures emphasize:

In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Heb. 9:22, NIV)

Forgiveness of sins, therefore, can only be attained through the redemption of blood. This is why the Lord Jesus Christ redeemed His Church through His blood in order that its members be forgiven of their sins. The Bible teaches that the Church which Christ purchased with His blood is the Church of Christ (cf. Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation).

Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood. (Acts 20:28, Lamsa)

Christ will, thus, intercede for the sins of the members of the Church of Christ to be forgiven. Apostle John said:

“MY LITTLE children, I write you these things so that you may not violate God’s law and sin. But if anyone should sin, we have an Advocate (One Who will intercede for us) with the Father—[it is] Jesus Christ [the all] righteous [upright, just, Who conforms to the Father’s will in every purpose, thought, and action].” (I Jn. 2:1, Amplified Bible)

Christ will intercede for the members of His Church since He is its Savior (cf. Eph. 5:23).

23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.  (Eph. 5:23, NKJV)

Hence, the members of the Church of Christ should no longer be slaves of sin (cf. Rom. 6:6).

knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. (Rom. 6:6, NKJV)

But if a member still lives in a sin, he will be expelled from the Church and his end will be death (cf. I Cor. 5:13; Rom. 6:20-21).

13 But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.” (I Cor. 5:13, NKJV)

20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. (Rom. 6:20-21, NKJV)

2.  Catholics define “mortal sin” as a serious offense that, once committed, would automatically subject one to eternal damnation into the lake of fire upon one’s death, while a “venial sin” is, according to them, a less grievous offense that is pardonable and that one who has committed such sin shall proceed to purgatory right after his death for his soul to be cleansed.

This belief, however, is unbiblical. God will execute His salvation through Christ in accordance with His righteousness (cf.II Cor. 5:21).

21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.  (II Cor. 5:21, NKJV)

According to God’s law, everyone is accountable for his own sin (cf. Dt. 24:16).

16 “Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall children be put to death for their fathers; a person shall be put to death for his own sin. (Dt. 24:16, NKJV)

But how would Christ, who did not commit any sin (cf. I Pt. 2:21-22), be able to save man without breaking this law? To effect the salvation of man, Christ established a Church and made it as His body with Him as the head (cf. Mt. 16:18; Eph. 5:23; Col. 1:18).

21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us,[f] leaving us[g] an example, that you should follow His steps:
22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; (I Pt. 2:21-22, NKJV)

18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (Mt. 16:18, NKJV)

23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. (Eph. 5:23, NKJV)

18 And He is the head of the body, the church, . . . (Col. 1:18, NKJV)

In the sight of God, Christ and the Church are one new man (cf. Eph. 2:15). Being the head of the one new man, Christ assumes the responsibility to save His body, the Church of Christ.

15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, (Eph. 2:15, NKJV)

The Catholic doctrine concerning purgatory is also unbiblical. It is merely an invention of the Catholic Church as what Lucien Vinet, a former priest, reveals:

“Purgatory had been invented by Rome in A.D. 593 but it remained a very unpopular doctrine for many centuries…..

“Purgatory, like Mass, has no foundation in Holy Scripture. Christ and the first Christians never talked about it and never knew of its supposed existence.” (I Was A Priest, pp. 43, 44)

The Bible makes it clear that man is destined for one of only two destinations on Judgment Day: the Kingdom of God in heaven or the lake of fire (cf. Mt. 25:31-34, 41).

31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy[c] angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: (Mt. 25:31-34, 41, NKJV)

Moreover, the belief that the Masses and prayers offered for the dead could allegedly release their souls from purgatory and could “transfer” them to heaven contradicts biblical teachings. The Scriptures state that the dead can no longer benefit from the actions of the living because there is no more reward for them (cf. Eccl. 9:5-6).

5 For the living know that they will die;
But the dead know nothing,
And they have no more reward,
For the memory of them is forgotten.
6 Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished;
Nevermore will they have a share
In anything done under the sun. (Eccl. 9:5-6, NKJV).

___________________

Bible Study Suggestion: If you have further questions, please feel free to visit the Iglesia ni Cristo congregation nearest you. A minister or an evangelical worker would be happy to answer any biblical question you have in mind. For the latest Worship Service Directory of Iglesia ni Cristo Locales and Congregations outside the Philippines, please visit www.iglesianicristoworshipservice.com or just click link at home page.

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