We All Need Forgiveness

Yesterday, I shared how forgiveness of sins answers the question of why we’re here. Today, I want to explore six pieces of New Testament evidence that clearly show forgiveness is central to the Gospel message.

1. Forgiveness at Pentecost: A Core Gospel Message

After Jesus ascended, Peter boldly preached during the Day of Pentecost.

“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38, ESV).

This moment laid the foundation for the church, with forgiveness as the first call to action.

2. Forgiveness Extends to All in the First Message to the Gentiles

When the Gospel reached beyond the Jewish community, Peter continued to focus on forgiveness:

“And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name” (Acts 10:42-43, ESV).

Through this message, Peter ensured that forgiveness was accessible to all.

3. Paul Proclaims Forgiveness in Antioch: A Central Gospel Theme

During his first missionary journey to Antioch, Paul emphasized forgiveness again.

“Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you” (Acts 13:38, ESV).

By doing so, he demonstrated how essential this message was to the Gospel.

4. Faith and Forgiveness in Paul’s Letter to Rome

In his letter to the Romans, Paul explained the connection between faith and forgiveness.

“Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness” (Romans 4:4-5, ESV).

Paul made it clear that forgiveness comes through faith, not human efforts.

5. Redemption and Forgiveness in Paul’s Letter to Ephesus

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul reinforced the significance of forgiveness.

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace”(Ephesians 1:7, ESV).

This message showed that forgiveness lies at the heart of redemption.

6. Confession and Forgiveness in John’s Letter

In his first letter, John reassured believers by highlighting the importance of confession.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, ESV).

John’s message made it clear that confession and forgiveness play a crucial role in our faith.

Embracing Forgiveness as Central to the Gospel

The early church fully understood that forgiveness of sins was essential to the Gospel message. Without it, their message would have been incomplete. Instead of being an afterthought, forgiveness formed the foundation of their faith.

This continues today. Forgiveness must remain a cornerstone of our relationship with God and others. When we embrace forgiveness, we not only experience God’s grace but also extend that same grace to those around us.

As Paul wrote in Colossians 3:13, “As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive” (ESV). By living out this truth, we can reflect the heart of the Gospel in our everyday lives.

Forgiving others isn’t just a choice—it’s a reflection of the forgiveness we have received. It’s a reflection of the Gospel.

Join the Conversation; Share Your Thoughts

• Do you have any other biblical evidence that points to the importance of forgiveness in the Gospel?
• How does understanding forgiveness change your view of the Gospel message?
• In what ways have you experienced the power of forgiveness in your life?