As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. They saw Him as a blasphemer. Look, the body was there on Friday - everybody knew that. Michael Brown holds a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Languages and Literatures from New York University and . Fouled by Rahmat . He tells us to go to the person first, but if he/she will not listen, to bring in others and, if the presumably guilty person will not listen to the advice of Two or three others then to take it to the church. Because He lives, we will live. All rights reserved. However, about a year later, Paul told them that the mans punishment and repentance were sufficient for them to forgive and comfort him (2 Corinthians 2:6-7). Mailing . The NASB Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible adds the following marginal note: have previously been forgiven (Spiros Zodhiates, Th.D.). The first line of testimony for the resurrection of Christ is the empty tomb, the second is the angelic declaration, and the third is the testimony of the eyewitnesses. $2.90 (48 used & new offers) Other formats: Paperback , MP3 CD. And so Simon Peter also came, following him, entered the tomb. Peter was not shy. He breathed on them to receive the Holy Spirit (v. 22). " (John 20:19-21) How do we understand this? He has frequently spoken out against the modern Charismatic. Weekly telecasts and daily radio broadcasts of "Grace to You" are seen and heard by millions worldwide. However, I believe that John 20:23 is relevant today. The soldiers fled the tomb. Matthew 7:21-23 Read or Hear at gty.org. You need to understand that the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is not just a feature of Christianity, it is the main event; it is the main event. The same women who were at the foot of the cross were there on Friday when Joseph and Nicodemus were burying the body of Jesus. But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. But then who would? The Risen Christ His Peace, Power, and Purpose. [to] be witnesses" for Him to the "end of the earth.". In John's Gospel, Jesus talks about sin as unbelief, the unwillingness or incapacity to grasp the truth of God manifested in him. John MacArthur is the pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, as well as an author, conference speaker, chancellor of The Master's University and Seminary, and featured teacher with the Grace to You media ministry. Peter and John run also. They also dont know that in the deep, dark night of Sunday, God sent a very localized earthquake. Does it mean that God hands over authority for who will ultimately be in heaven to humans in the church? At first glance it appears to contradict rather clear passages in scripture which teach that only God can forgive sins (Mark 2:7 for example). God supports the right of the leaders (presumably the elders in the ideal case) of the church to make binding decisions on such discipline matters. Gods forgiveness is supreme in that He cleanses one from sin or blots out your transgressions (Isaiah 43:25). How John MacArthur loves the Bible but not his neighbor. He was about to leave, and he was delegating to them authority to make some authoritative decision for the church. Heres the evidence of an empty tomb: the absent guards, the absent guards; the stone removed; the body gone; and then the grave clothes neatly lying in place. The Persistence of Love, Part 1. Therefore, the NASB better reflects the fact that these individuals sins will have already been forgiven or retained by God before the apostles recognition of the same. The Roman executioners knew He was dead; thats why he didnt break His legs. Romans10:9-10, If you confess Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.. But the linen wrappings were lying there where the body had been, and the face wrappings where the head had been, because He had just gone through them, just gone through them. November 11, 2022. 1 In the first book, O a Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began b to do and teach, 2 until the day when c he was taken up, after he d had given commands e through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. So the disciples went away again to their own homes. They just went home. Our forgiveness involves letting go of grudges, lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled (Hebrews 12:15). I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Genesis 2:4-7. Whats going to happen when Pilate the governor finds out? And then they would wrap around and around and around and around the head the spices as well. In the meantime the Lords talking to His followers, telling them to go to Galilee, and Hes going to meet them there. Look at Luke24, Luke24. What is the correct interpretation of John 20:23? The stone wasnt rolled away to let Jesus out. Back to John MacArthur's Bio & Resources. Thats all we know. Totally confusing. The leaders of the local churchespecially the eldersare being given real authority to make decisions, to settle disputes and to exact discipline in local churches with regard to sinful behavior. Phone: 877-227-1091 Email . I believe that, in the context, Jesus is talking about church discipline and about the authority of the leaders of the church. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." 20 characters) Last Name (max. 10 But in order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins, I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home., If you have any issues, please call the office at 385-246-1048 or email us at, Responding to Andrew Tate on Islam and Christianity, Responding to Andrew Tate on the nature of God. They were afraid of hells power raising Him, as well as perhaps the disciples trying to steal His body. Clearly His body was there, and then it wasnt. Instead, he affirms their claim, states he has the authority to forgive sins, and then heals the paralytic. God doesnt wait to see whom men will forgive before He forgives a persons sins (upon repentance). We come in chapter 20 to the resurrection of our Lord Jesus. The disciples therefore rejoiced when they saw the Lord. received Gods Spirit (Numbers 11:16-17). We dont know how any of the miracles of Jesus occurred. Lets look at it. The Jews numbered their days. 3 f He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and Jesus forgave sins; and the Scribes, students of the Law, rightly stated that only God forgives sins. Do you want to receive free resources from John MacArthur through the mail? This is the notion that a one-time justification saves apart from sanctification. Often in the Synoptists (Matthew 6:12; Matthew 9:5; Mark 2:5; Luke 5:23, etc.). You start in the book of Acts with the first sermon by Peter. And he has not repented. He was dead. She runs to Simon Peter and the other disciple, who is John, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, They whoever she thought that they were have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.. But in Acts 1:8 the Spirit was to be given to provide "power . The whole purpose of God in creating and redeeming His people is to raise them to eternal glory so that they can worship Him forever. Both the punishment and pardon were Spirit-led judgments. This is supported by 2 Corinthians 2:5-11 in which Paul tells the Corinthians to forgive the one sent away. Well, maybe Deuteronomy19:15. The case that is too hard for you, bring to me, and I will hear it (Deuteronomy 1:17). It speaks of the laying on of hands to receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:19) as well as ordaining men to the ministry (1 Tim. Grace To You - John MacArthur. This validates the earlier testimony of Mary Magdalene. First Name (max. So everything from here to the end of the gospel of John just two more chapters is about the risen Christ, the risen Christ. Now lets pick up the soldiers. And verse 23 represents the fruit of Gods Spirit, that is, they will be inspired to either pardon or discipline people according to what has already been bound by God. More Buying Choices. Sign up to receive the week's latest articles, blog posts andupdates. Understanding Islam: Class by Dan Conder and John Oakes, Seattle Teaching Weekend Christian World View Freedom in Christ. However, a church where MacArthur also was slated to speak in March has stated MacArthur is cancelling its engagement due to "family health issues." It is a creative miracle. Small problem. The majority of Bible translations use similar wording here, making it sound like God has given the ministry of the Church the authority to forgive or retain sins. John 20:23 If you forgive anyones sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.. : John MacArthur is the pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, Calif., president of The Master's College and Seminary and featured teacher with the Grace to You media ministry. Lets take a look. I dont know just exactly what he believed fully, because the next verse says, As yet they didnt understand the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. So hes maybe like the man who said, Lord, I believe; help my unbelief. The point that I want you to notice is that they had no expectation that Jesus would rise: the women didnt, the leaders of the apostles didnt. In the context, he is giving the apostles the Holy Spirit by breathing on them. I would say that this would be overstepping what Jesus is saying and, besides, it would contradict a great number of passages which clearly teach that judgment is of God, not of humans. But the revival goes on off-campus. Its the first day of the week; that would be Sunday. At best, the laying on of hands deals with ordinationnot apostolic authority being passed down. 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, Your sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, and take up your pallet and walk? He tells them that if they, in their authority as apostles, forgive sins, then He forgives them as well. This raises the question of how John 20:23 applies today. And this can be extended repeatedlythe implied meaning of seventy times seven (Matthew 18:22). Jesus promised He would rise: Destroy this body, in three days Ill raise it again. Peter and the other disciple went forth, verse 3, and were coming to the tomb. But go, and tell His disciples and Peter, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you. They went out and fled. Theres a lot of running going on this morning. But no one saw the resurrection, no one. (John 20:23) 12,569 views Sep 6, 2017 What did Jesus mean when he said "If you forgive anyone's sin .more .more 250 Dislike Share Basic Gospel 7.39K subscribers Comments 118 Add a. They dont know how the stone was rolled away. All of that is going to be laid out in the twentieth chapter of John for us. People attend a revival event led by evangelist Nick Hall at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky, Feb. 26, 2023. Note: this post has updated by adding extra links in the Further Reading and Viewing section at the bottom of the post. Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe. Luke says there were two there, there were two. To re-activate your service, please contact our customer support team. John 20:20 The Hands of the Risen Christ J. Mike Minnix. Why two? (St. Matthew 16:19) Verse 1. They actually have in mind, Well go back and pour some more anointing on the body of Jesus., So thats the scene as we come to verse 1. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! The tomb was covered in by the rolling of a large stone over the entrance, sealed with a Roman seal, and guarded by Roman soldiers. Theyre saying to one another as they approach, Whos going to roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb? which was the common thing to do, to put stones in front of tombs Whos going to roll the stone away so we can go in and put some more spice on His body? Looking up, they saw the stone had been rolled away, though it was extremely large. Thats important to say, because it was the implication that the women couldnt have done it. But in verse 11, Some of the guard came into the city city of Jerusalem - and theyre sheepishly reporting to the chief priests all that had happened. What do you think they said? At first glance it appears to contradict rather clear passages in scripture which teach that only God can forgive sins (Mark 2:7 for example). We greatly appreciate your consideration! If the person continues to not listen to the advice of the church, in extreme situations, the person may end up being treated as no longer a disciple by the church. Father, we thank You again for the beauty, the consistency of the Word of God, and particularly with regard to this most marvelous of all events, the resurrection of our Savior. Every miracle, teaching, and reaction John writes has one clearpurposeto prove that Jesus is the Word, the Messiah, and the Son of God. The apostles, then, preached the resurrection. Does it strike you that her shock here is clear evidence that they hadnt planned to steal the body of Jesus. Everybody knew He was in the grave. Let me be honest here. Series: The Battle for the Beginning. Here John outlined the evidence upon which he himself accepted the resurrection of Christ as a historical fact. DeHaan (1891-1965) agrees with the Holy Bible that Jesus had God's blood flowing within His veins in His The women testify to an empty tomb. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and. Theres no way to diagnose them or to understand them humanly. No one saw it. It is saying that Christian disciples have the authority to pronounce what sins have been forgiven.. That is necessary for salvation. You could know that it happened without knowing how it happened. In John 20:23, Jesus tells His disciples, "If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." The very core of the gospel message is the truth that the way someone has their sins forgiven is by having faith in Jesus Christ as his or her Lord and Savior.