Topical Bible: Pardon is Granted: To Those Who Believe

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In the Christian faith, the concept of pardon is deeply intertwined with the themes of grace, forgiveness, and redemption. Pardon, in a biblical sense, refers to the forgiveness of sins and the absolution of guilt, granted by God to those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior. This divine pardon is a central tenet of Christian doctrine, emphasizing the transformative power of faith and the boundless mercy of God.

Biblical Foundation

The New Testament provides a robust foundation for the understanding that pardon is granted to those who believe. In the Gospel of John, Jesus Himself declares, "Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life" (John 5:24). This passage underscores the promise of eternal life and pardon from judgment for those who place their faith in Christ.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this theme in his epistles. In Romans, he writes, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). Here, justification through faith is presented as the means by which believers receive peace with God, signifying the pardon of their sins.

The Role of Faith

Faith is the essential condition for receiving God's pardon. Hebrews 11:6 states, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him" . This verse highlights the necessity of faith as the foundation for a relationship with God and the reception of His pardon.

The act of believing is not merely intellectual assent but involves a heartfelt trust and reliance on Jesus Christ. In Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul emphasizes, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast" . Salvation, and thus pardon, is portrayed as a gift from God, received through faith and not through human effort.

The Assurance of Pardon

Believers are assured of their pardon through the promises of Scripture. In 1 John 1:9, it is written, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" . This assurance is rooted in the faithfulness and justice of God, who honors His promise to forgive those who confess and believe.

The assurance of pardon is also linked to the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, who testifies to the believer's status as a child of God. Romans 8:16 affirms, "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children" . This internal witness provides believers with confidence in their forgiven state and their relationship with God.

Implications for the Believer

The granting of pardon to those who believe has profound implications for the believer's life. It brings about a transformation that is both spiritual and moral. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul declares, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!" . This transformation is a result of the believer's new standing before God, having been pardoned and reconciled through faith in Christ.

Moreover, the experience of divine pardon compels believers to extend forgiveness to others. In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus teaches, "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matthew 6:12). The forgiven believer is called to emulate God's mercy by forgiving others, reflecting the grace they have received.

Conclusion

The biblical doctrine of pardon granted to those who believe is a testament to the grace and mercy of God, who offers forgiveness and eternal life to all who place their faith in Jesus Christ. Through faith, believers are justified, reconciled, and transformed, living as new creations in the light of God's pardon.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 10:43
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whoever believes in him shall receive remission of sins.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Disciple, -- Master, in These Days Some Learned Men and their ...
... But for those who believe in Me I ... upon him, his relatives explained the circumstances
and appealed for mercy for him, and he was granted pardon for the sin ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/singh/at the masters feet/section ii the disciple 2.htm

The Passage Quoted from St. ...
... has life is certainly not shut out from pardon; "that every ... say that life is not
restored to those to whom ... read: "Because unto you it hath been granted by God ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xi the passage quoted.htm

From Aversion to the Christians, Julian Granted Permission to the ...
... From Aversion to the Christians, Julian granted Permission to ... with hymns and
supplications, to pardon their transgression ... go and be convinced by those who heard ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter xxii from aversion to the.htm

Extent of Atonement.
... The mere pardon of sin, as an act of sovereign mercy ... for his saints, and then take
it for granted that he ... of Christ, and the full meaning of those passages of ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxvi extent of atonement.htm

That Cicero and Other Men of Learning Erred in not Turning Away ...
... But (as I have said) pardon may be granted to those who are ignorant and do not
own themselves to be wise; but it cannot be extended to those who, while ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap iii that cicero and other.htm

Dr. Martin Luther Concerning Penitence and Indulgences.
... of all penalties can be granted to any one, it is certain that it is granted to
none ... 32. Those who believe that, through letters of pardon, they are ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/disputation of dr martin luther.htm

What is Useful is the Same as what is virtuous...
... did, so as to fulfil the will of God; for whose sake pardon was granted to his ... great
impetus to mutual love if one shows love in return to those who love ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vii what is useful.htm

Letter clxiv. (AD 414. )
... of Christ, and may also have that pardon and salvation ... 16. Those who have inferred
from the words, "He ... 2688] from which deliverance was granted, not certainly ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter clxiv a d 414.htm

The Consolation
... holiness, justice and truth, in the pardon of sin. ... MESSIAH, which is the privilege
of those who enjoy ... these things were vouchsafed [graciously granted] to some ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon i the consolation.htm

The Gospel Message, Good Tidings
... punishment they deserved, the king vouchsafed [graciously granted] them a free pardon,
was ready to ... grace are thus welcomed and honoured by those who believe ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxi the gospel message.htm