Topical Bible: Pardon: Ministers are Appointed to Proclaim

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the Christian faith, the concept of pardon is central to the message of the Gospel. Pardon refers to the forgiveness of sins, a divine act of grace whereby God absolves sinners of their transgressions through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This forgiveness is not only a personal experience but also a message that ministers are appointed to proclaim to the world.

Biblical Foundation

The New Testament provides a clear mandate for ministers to proclaim the message of pardon. In the Great Commission, Jesus instructs His disciples to spread the Gospel to all nations, which inherently includes the message of forgiveness. Matthew 28:19-20 states, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you."

The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, emphasizes the role of ministers in proclaiming pardon. In 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 , Paul writes, "All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God."

Role of Ministers

Ministers, as ambassadors for Christ, are tasked with the responsibility of communicating the message of pardon. This involves preaching the Gospel, teaching the doctrines of the faith, and administering the sacraments, all of which point to the forgiveness available through Jesus Christ. The proclamation of pardon is not merely an announcement but an invitation to enter into a restored relationship with God.

In Acts 13:38-39 , the Apostle Paul declares, "Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses." This passage underscores the transformative power of the message of pardon, which ministers are called to share.

Theological Significance

The proclamation of pardon is rooted in the theological understanding of atonement and redemption. The sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the foundation upon which the promise of forgiveness stands. Ministers, therefore, are not merely messengers but stewards of this profound truth, entrusted with the responsibility to faithfully convey the hope and assurance of pardon to all who will hear.

In Ephesians 1:7 , Paul writes, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace." This verse highlights the grace of God as the source of pardon, a grace that ministers are to proclaim with clarity and conviction.

Practical Implications

The appointment of ministers to proclaim pardon has practical implications for the life of the church and its mission. It calls for a commitment to evangelism, discipleship, and pastoral care, ensuring that the message of forgiveness is accessible to all. Ministers are to embody the grace they proclaim, serving as living testimonies of the transformative power of God's pardon.

In summary, the role of ministers in proclaiming pardon is a divine appointment, integral to the mission of the church. Through their faithful proclamation, the message of forgiveness continues to reach the hearts of individuals, inviting them into the redemptive embrace of God's love.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 40:1,2
Comfort you, comfort you my people, said your God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Corinthians 5:19
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them; and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Life of Mr. James Durham.
... smiled, and the parson ashamed, asked pardon of them ... the common session of Glasgow,
appointed Mr. Patrick ... when dying, to the magistrates, ministers and some of ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr james 2.htm

Directions How to Hear Sermons
... is an ordinance of God, a means appointed by Jesus ... and lend an attentive ear to his
ministers, when they are declaring, in his name, how our pardon, peace, and ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/directions how to hear sermons.htm

In the Creation of the World, and all Things in It, the True God ...
... led away from God by angels who have been appointed for the ... As God does not make
angels the ministers of his power ... does Paul hold out a hope of pardon in case ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 in the creation.htm

Dedication
... and in earnest prayer to God, for the pardon of our ... may be, and therefore should
have their appointed times ... of men, beseech all the faithful ministers of Christ ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/dedication.htm

Absolution.
... sin, and apportion to each its appointed penance and ... of England into the lips of
her ministers"I cannot ... formula of absolution, or reverse the pardon of him ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/robertson/sermons preached at brighton/v absolution.htm

The Ordination of Paul and Barnabas; their Missionary Tour in Asia ...
... the laying on of hands the ministers of Antioch ... by the fallacy that whatever is
appointed by God ... circumcision, nor any other ordinance, to complete his pardon. ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter v the ordination of.htm

The Morning Light
... It is the appointed instrument of Divine power for ... the cross has been preached,
encourages ministers to persevere ... In His name we proclaim pardon and peace to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon vii the morning light.htm

The Foundation of the Church.
... in the living cleansing streams of grace and pardon. ... supply them, seven deacons,
or ministers, were set ... the government, and a Roman procurator was appointed. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xxi the foundation of.htm

The Epistle of Alexander, Bishop of Alexandria to Alexander ...
... Three bishops [296] of Syria, appointed no one knows ... unanimous piety of all our
fellow-ministers concerning Christ ... the mystery, and who asked pardon from those ...
/.../chapter iii the epistle of alexander.htm

V. ...
... out of the Church, who are its officers and ministers, and appointed to this end ...
of excommunication and deadly sin," then you are to say, "Pardon, my master ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter ii v .htm