The authority of Christ to forgive sins is a profound testament to His divine nature and His identity as God. This power, which belongs solely to God, is exercised by Jesus throughout the New Testament, affirming His deity and His role in the divine plan of salvation.

Biblical Evidence of Christ's Authority to Forgive Sins

1. Healing of the Paralytic: One of the most direct demonstrations of Christ's authority to forgive sins is found in the account of the healing of the paralytic. In Mark 2:5-12 , Jesus declares to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." The scribes present question in their hearts, "Why does this man speak like this? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, responds by healing the man, saying, "But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins..." This passage underscores that Jesus possesses divine authority, as He performs a miracle to validate His claim to forgive sins.

2. The Sinful Woman: In Luke 7:48-50 , Jesus forgives the sins of a woman known to be a sinner, saying, "Your sins are forgiven." Those reclining at the table with Him begin to question, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" Jesus reassures the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." This incident highlights Jesus' compassion and His divine prerogative to forgive, which astonishes those around Him.

3. The Lord's Prayer: In teaching His disciples how to pray, Jesus includes a petition for forgiveness, "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matthew 6:12). This prayer reflects the understanding that forgiveness is a divine act, and Jesus, as the mediator between God and humanity, instructs His followers to seek forgiveness from God.

4. The Crucifixion: Even on the cross, Jesus exercises His authority to forgive. In Luke 23:34 , He prays, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." This plea for forgiveness for His executioners demonstrates His divine mercy and His role as the intercessor for humanity.

Theological Implications

The ability of Christ to forgive sins is a central tenet of Christian theology, affirming His identity as God incarnate. The Old Testament consistently teaches that forgiveness is an act of God alone (e.g., Psalm 103:3, Isaiah 43:25). By forgiving sins, Jesus not only fulfills the messianic prophecies but also reveals His divine nature, as only God can absolve the moral and spiritual debts of humanity.

Christ's Role in Salvation

The New Testament presents Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice for sin, whose death and resurrection provide the means for forgiveness and reconciliation with God. 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 passage emphasizes that forgiveness is made possible through Christ's atoning work, further solidifying His divine authority and mission.

Conclusion

The power of Christ to forgive sins is a foundational aspect of His divine identity and mission. Through His words and actions, Jesus reveals Himself as God, offering forgiveness and salvation to all who believe.Colossians 3:13
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Mark 2:7,10
Why does this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

There is but one Lord and one God, the Father and Creator of all ...
... the Scriptures, to whom we were debtors, having transgressed His ... dispensation of
a tree, [viz., the cross of Christ]. For that the word of God is likened to an ...
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Christ's Own Testimony Concerning Himself.
... Christ represents himself constantly as being "not of this world," but "sent from
God," as having "come from God," and as "being in heaven" while ...
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How to Make Use of Christ for Taking the Guilt of Our Daily Out ...
... to make satisfaction to the justice of God, for the ... a noble intercessor, would remember,
that "Christ is a ... as a prince now exalted, and as having obtained that ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter viii how to make.htm

Christ, the Great Teacher
... greater and larger violations of the laws of God and man? ... as man enters into personal
relations with Jesus Christ, repenting of his sin and having faith in ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study i christ the great.htm

Matt. Ix. 1, 2
... And they put the sick man before Christ, saying nothing ... His teaching, when He taught
them as one having authority; by ... No man can forgive sins but God only," He ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxix matt ix 1.htm

The Preparatory Service; Sometimes Called the Confessional Service ...
... who with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto Him, and having authorized His ...
He beseeches and speaks in Christ's stead, as though God were speaking by ...
/.../chapter xvi the preparatory service.htm

Fourteenth Lesson. When Ye Stand Praying, Forgive;'
... later, when speaking of prayer to God, after having taught us ... one another, even as
God also in Christ forgave you ... If God dealt with us after our sins, not one ...
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Absolution.
... time to time, present themselves for re-solution; errors which having been refuted ...
to forgive sins." Mark that form of words"not Christ as God, but Christ ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/robertson/sermons preached at brighton/v absolution.htm

Christ
... To every question he gave an answer having in it spiritual truth, but bearing the
unmistakable stamp of rare ... NO! And if Jesus Christ were not God I know ...
//christianbookshelf.org/haldeman/christ christianity and the bible/christ.htm

The Healing Power of the Name
... Now you see him walking and leaping and praising God. ... But, while the limit of what
Christ gives is His ... furrow, but it runs off the one, having stimulated no ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the healing power of the.htm

Is suffering for Christ always going to be a part of being a follower of Christ? | GotQuestions.org

How is the church the Body of Christ? | GotQuestions.org

Who am I in Christ? | GotQuestions.org

Christ: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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