John
writes to the Diaspora, the scattered of
Israel
, saying “confession” is the conditional requirement for
forgiveness of sins. Note the word “if.” 1John
1:9 If we confess our sins,
he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
The
Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul, never suggests to “the body of Christ”
what John writes of when John addresses the Jews. Paul received a deeper
truth from the ascended Christ for “the body of Christ.” Paul
never once writes of confessing our sins. Paul only mentions the word “confessing”
(Greek, homologeo, acknowledge) in the context of “acknowledging
Jesus Christ is Lord.”
Paul
says the one requirement for “remission of sins” is
“through faith in his blood.”
Romans
3:25 (KJV) Whom God hath set forth to be a
propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his
righteousness for the remission of sins …
The
one requirement for receiving anything of the Lord is “faith”
in God’s word and faith in His work on our behalf through the cross of
Christ. Paul says simply – “believe
on (pisteuo, trust in, cling to and rely
upon) the Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts
16:31 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou
shalt be saved…
Paul
writes to “the body of Christ,” concerning “faith”
as the only means of gaining what may be gained from
God, in Christ, under "the dispensation of the grace of
God." Note the words "by faith"
as you enjoy reading these Pauline verses.
Romans
1:17 (KJV) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed
from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live (zao,
have spirit life to enjoy) by faith.
Romans
3:22 (KJV) Even the righteousness of God which is by
faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for
there is no difference:
Romans
3:28 (KJV) Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by
faith without the deeds of the law.
Romans
3:30 (KJV) Seeing it
is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith,
and uncircumcision through faith.
Romans
5:1 (KJV)
1 Therefore being
justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord
Jesus Christ:
Romans
5:2 (KJV) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace
wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans
9:32 (KJV) Wherefore? Because they sought it not by
faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at
that stumblingstone;
Romans
11:20 (KJV) Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and
thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
2
Corinthians 1:24 (KJV) Not for that we have dominion over your
faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
2
Corinthians 5:7 (KJV) (For we walk by faith, not
by sight:)
Galatians
3:11 (KJV) But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of
God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Galatians
3:22 (KJV) But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the
promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them
that believe.
Galatians
3:24 (KJV) Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us
unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Galatians
3:26 (KJV) For ye are all the children of God by faith
in Christ Jesus.
Galatians
5:5 (KJV) For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of
righteousness by faith.
Ephesians
3:17 (KJV) That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith;
that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Philippians
3:9 (KJV) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness,
which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the
righteousness which is of God by faith:
Paul
also writes to the Hebrews, concerning “by faith” as the only
means of gaining what may be gained from God.
Hebrews
10:38 (KJV) Now the just shall live by faith: but
if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Hebrews
11:4 (KJV) By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent
sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God
testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Hebrews
11:5 (KJV) By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see
death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his
translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Hebrews
11:7 (KJV) By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as
yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the
which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by
faith.
Hebrews
11:8 (KJV) By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a
place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went
out, not knowing whither he went.
Hebrews
11:9 (KJV) By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in
a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs
with him of the same promise:
Hebrews
11:17 (KJV) By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac:
and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
Hebrews
11:20 (KJV) By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things
to come.
Hebrews
11:21 (KJV) By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the
sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his
staff.
Hebrews
11:22 (KJV) By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the
departing of the children of
Israel
; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
Hebrews
11:23 (KJV) By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months
of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and
they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
Hebrews
11:24 (KJV) By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to
be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
Hebrews
11:27 (KJV) By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the
king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Hebrews
11:29 (KJV) By faith they passed through the
Red sea
as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were
drowned.
Hebrews
11:30 (KJV) By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they
were compassed about seven days.
Hebrews
11:31 (KJV) By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that
believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
Thus,
with such a heavy weight of Scriptural evidence concerning the supremacy of
faith, is it any wonder that Paul saw also that forgiveness of
sins was by faith in Christ’s shed blood,
plus nothing - that’s the pure grace of “the
dispensation of the grace of God.”
And
we should ask, “Where did this message of pure grace of God, received
by faith, come from?”
It
came, via the Ascended Jesus Christ, to Paul, for us.
Ephesians
3:1-2 (KJV) For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of
Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2
If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of
God which is given me to you-ward: