Listener Question
keithstewart8613: "Hey Brother Searcy, I hope all is well! You have really helped me over the years when it comes to learning how to rightly divide the scriptures. So I first want to say a Big thank you for that!
With that said, I had an important question for you... There is another prominent Mid Acts pastor who is aligned on most things you teach, but does not believe that everyone's sins are forgiven and that you must believe first in order to get your sins forgiven. Now with that said, ever since I have been watching your videos and rightly dividing it has been my understanding that forgiveness of sins and salvation are two separate events with two separate calendar dates.
My understanding is that forgiveness of sins is for everyone and happened at the cross while salvation is for individuals and happens when you believe. But this particular pastor says that God would be unjust if he sent someone to hell with sins that were forgiven. And he uses Acts 26:18 to prove his point that you must have faith and believe first in order to have forgiveness of sins.
What would your response be to this? Thank you for all you do and may God continue to bless you, and your ministry!"
TTR Answer: Good to hear from you brother!
Acts 26:18 "to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me."
"that they may receive forgiveness of sins,"
I always find it interesting when someone uses this as a "gotcha" verse when it actually makes our point.
You cannot "receive" something that isn't already in place/FINISHED. To receive forgiveness means to BELIEVE it. (to believe that it was achieved at Calvary) This verse is about receiving the gospel of "how that Christ died for our sins."
To receive the news that our sins HAVE been forgiven, does not mean you get forgiveness at the time you "receive" it.
A newspaper contains news whether I receive it or not. But I won't know about it until I receive it.
When Jesus met Saul on the road to Damascus, forgiveness of sins was already in place. Forgiveness was in the rear-view mirror and the only thing left for the Gentiles to do was to receive that good news. "To open their eyes" to what had already happened.
You said, "This particular pastor says that God would be unjust if he sent someone to hell with sins that are forgiven."
God doesn't send someone to hell WITH THEIR SINS. So his statement is confusing. The worlds sins were put on Christ who was made to be sin FOR us.
In reality "God would be unjust" if He sent someone to hell for the same sins that Christ was punished for. (that math don't math) That's two punishments for the same thing. (Talk about "unjust")
What was the point of Him making Christ to be sin for us if He was going to one day go retrieve those sins and reapply them to each individual?
If God stopped imputing sins to the world (2 Corinthians 5:19) because He imputed them to Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21) how does this fictitious UNIMPUTING ceremony take place? Where God will unimpute sins from His Son and reimpute them back to man? That presents quite the conundrum since Christ no longer has those sins.
If the world's sins weren't dealt with once and for all, where are they located at this time? Does God have a sin storage unit somewhere?
No wonder some become Atheists. Religion has made the cross-work sound like mere folly.
Hopefully this "prominent" pastor was saved before deciding to trust that his own belief is somehow responsible for getting his sins forgiven.
You should sign up for our blog because we've addressed Acts 26:18 at least twice. Here's one. Hope it helps. https://truthtimeradio.com/blog
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